Cities are built and rebuilt. We stand on the shoulders of our predecessors, good or bad. This talk is a proclamation to Portland, and cities like it, and espouses the dangers of inaction and apathy. Portland, like many other cities, has gone through a lot in recent years. This honest, inspirational call to action by Rukaiyah Adams helps us recognize what it takes to realize the true potential as a city. We can do more, and we can do better. Each of us has a role to play because great cities are not inherited. They are made and remade by successive generations.

Rukaiyah was part of a historic 7,000+ attendee Year 10 experience. After three reschedules due to the Pandemic, our Core Organizing Team persevered through 1,164 days of planning and execution to produce the event for Portland, OR.

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With special thanks to the University of Oregon for presenting partnership, a world class stage design provided by Meyer Pro Inc, an incredible legacy bound Event Book provided by Premier Press and to the creative digital craft provided by Enjoy the Weather & Victory Creative. All of our Partners and event history can be found at TEDxPortland.com Rukaiyah is driven by the belief that we are all just trying to take care of one another. Her desire to succeed in capital markets to benefit everyday people is the driving force behind her ambition. She is a fearless leader and pillar in the Portland community. Her pro bono work includes negotiating on behalf of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights, the Homeless Prenatal Project in San Francisco, the North Albina Vision Project and the National Children’s Defense Fund. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx