By: Sam Lowder

Continuing the Conversation with “Momentum”

Greenville, South Carolina, is set to host TEDxUnityPark on November 19, 2025, following a successful inaugural event last year. Organized by Dr. Samuel “Kaipo” Sotelo and Evan Rogers, this year’s TEDx gathering aims to build on the theme of “Momentum,” reflecting both the event’s growth and the vision of its organizers.

“We started last year with the theme ‘Movement,’ which was all about getting started,” explained Dr. Sotelo. “Now, it’s natural that after you begin moving, you can start to gain momentum.”

Both Sotelo and Rogers see momentum as more than a catchy title—it’s a symbol of their personal and professional journey, and the vision for Greenville itself. The city, which is already experiencing rapid growth and entrepreneurial activity, aligns with the drive behind TEDxUnityPark.

Why “Momentum”?

When asked about why they chose momentum as the theme, Rogers highlighted the experience of organizing their first TEDx event. “The first event felt like entering a forest without a flashlight,” he shared candidly. “Now, we have a flashlight, we can see where we’re headed, and we want to invite the entire community to join us.”

This year, TEDxUnityPark organizers aim to leverage lessons learned from their first event. They’re preparing to welcome a larger audience, thanks to new licensing from TED, which permits unlimited attendance. The community and sponsors have also shown notable support, helping the event nearly double its sponsor commitment from the previous year.

“We’re seeing more excitement and engagement from the community,” Rogers added. “People saw what we achieved last year, and now they want to be part of this momentum.”

Community at the Core

The event’s organizers place a strong emphasis on community involvement. For TEDxUnityPark, success isn’t only measured by the quality of speakers on stage, but by how well attendees can connect and engage with the event itself.

Rogers described their unique approach, “We don’t just want people to come and watch; we want them to feel like they’re actively contributing to something meaningful.”

The organizers strive to select a diverse range of speakers, hoping everyone attending finds something relatable and inspiring. They learned from their first event the importance of distinct storytelling, making sure each speaker brings a unique message that can resonate with specific groups within the community.

“The idea is unity,” Dr. Sotelo emphasized. “Everyone’s voice deserves to be heard, and TEDx gives us a valuable opportunity to showcase the stories that might otherwise go unnoticed.”

A Platform for Ideas Worth Sharing

TEDx events worldwide share a common goal: amplifying powerful ideas. For Sotelo and Rogers, the TEDxUnityPark event represents an alignment of their passions: event organization, visual storytelling, and community impact. Sotelo, a physical therapist by trade, and Rogers, a filmmaker, combined their unique skills to bring Greenville a platform that stands apart.

According to Rogers, “TEDxUnityPark feels like a startup—we’ve put immense effort into something that initially offered no financial reward. But seeing it become a recognized community event is more than worth it.”

Both organizers are optimistic about the power of ideas to inspire real-world change, and they see TEDxUnityPark as Greenville’s chance to contribute to national conversations around innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship.

Looking Ahead to an Expanding Future

Already, TEDxUnityPark has drawn considerable attention beyond Greenville. The event received applications from across the globe, reflecting the wide appeal of TED’s brand and the growing reputation of the event Sotelo and Rogers have built.

“Even though we’re still relatively new, people seem to view our event as something special,” Sotelo noted. “We’ve had people apply from California and even as far away as Africa.”

Looking ahead, the organizers hope to grow TEDxUnityPark into a key annual gathering, potentially sparking larger conferences similar to Austin’s South by Southwest. They see potential in Greenville’s community to host world-class innovation and cultural events.

Get Involved

TEDxUnityPark will take place on November 19, 2025, and applications for speakers and sponsorships are now open. To learn more, attend the event, or apply, visit their official website.

Greenville’s momentum appears to be building—one idea, one speaker, and one community member at a time.

Published by Drake M.