Nonprofits & Activism

How One Small Idea Led to $1 Million of Paid Water Bills | Tiffani Ashley Bell | TED

When programmer Tiffani Ashley Bell learned that thousands of people in Detroit were facing water shutoffs because they couldn’t afford to pay their bills, she decided to take action — in the simplest, most obvious way possible. It’s an inspiring story of how one person with tenacity and an idea can create monumental change —…

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When programmer Tiffani Ashley Bell learned that thousands of people in Detroit were facing water shutoffs because they couldn’t afford to pay their bills, she decided to take action — in the simplest, most obvious way possible. It’s an inspiring story of how one person with tenacity and an idea can create monumental change — and a demonstration that each of us can find our own way to help the world, even if it means starting without all the answers.

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48 Comments

  1. King Ayo xXx

    March 6, 2023 at 7:30 am

    So inspiring great speech 🙌🔆

  2. Prof C

    March 6, 2023 at 7:36 am

    I’d like to do something like this for the homeless and people in need starting in the city of Atlanta.

  3. Happyest Moments

    March 6, 2023 at 7:38 am

    Standing ovation from 🇮🇳

  4. Мороз Сергей

    March 6, 2023 at 7:38 am

    Посмотрите на бомжей, которым помогает государство.
    Многие из них даже не хотят начать учиться, развиваться и начинать зарабатывать деньги, чтобы жить в своём доме и оплачивать свои счета самостоятельно.
    Героиня видео не решает проблему, она просто делает пожертвование.
    Такое добро нельзя показывать. Это нужно делать искренне и молча.
    Настоящей помощью бедным будет элементарное финансовое образование и правильные пищевые привычки.
    Отказ от алкоголя и сигарет и так далее.

  5. Keith Lightminder

    March 6, 2023 at 7:38 am

    Capitalism is not a functional system for the benefit of people. In this solution the rich all still get paid to start but then it shifts to more systemic solutions. A designer mindset opens these doors.

  6. Prof C

    March 6, 2023 at 7:43 am

    Water is just the beginning. Basic human rights to me are housing, food and healthcare. What happens to a society were all humans are guaranteed these basic humans rights?

    • Alex Andrés Carrasco

      March 6, 2023 at 8:09 am

      It existed and it called socialism and you pay whit your life

  7. Thato Mofolo

    March 6, 2023 at 7:49 am

    👂👂👂

  8. chocomalk

    March 6, 2023 at 7:55 am

    We need more of this in the world and less government misconduct that led to Detroit and other cities being completely unlivable.
    I doubt the water is in any way clean either.

  9. quintan bacchus

    March 6, 2023 at 7:55 am

    So she hacked the site ?

    • Preben Pedersen

      March 6, 2023 at 8:59 am

      No its was public information on the site, go listen again.

  10. Angel Matos

    March 6, 2023 at 7:58 am

    What a brilliant mind.

  11. Anthony Peralta

    March 6, 2023 at 7:59 am

    Thought this was La La Land related when I took a quick glance at the thumbnail LOL.

  12. Alex Andrés Carrasco

    March 6, 2023 at 8:13 am

    Don’t get a fish to people, teach People how to fish

  13. Perfectlessness

    March 6, 2023 at 8:34 am

    Such a great story that shows how exactly a tiny idea can grow, and turn out to be life changing! Thank you for this!

  14. Bughuggr

    March 6, 2023 at 8:52 am

    I’m curious to know How many of those people find a way to afford to smoke cigarettes, or drink alcohol?

  15. kumimochi s

    March 6, 2023 at 9:18 am

    everything begins with an idea

  16. Idris Arab

    March 6, 2023 at 9:32 am

    100 % capitalism has this inherent problems.
    Money first – poor last, this policy will lead to this situation only.

  17. srcarranza

    March 6, 2023 at 9:38 am

    Thank you!

  18. Show Time

    March 6, 2023 at 9:56 am

    Can i take Ted VIDEOS and subtitle ti ather linguage

  19. Christian

    March 6, 2023 at 10:03 am

    Forget the cause if you can’t tell whether it’s a man or a woman!

  20. Fu'n Videos

    March 6, 2023 at 10:19 am

    Simplest thing to do to attack a problem? Throw money at it!

  21. Parno Pogmeer

    March 6, 2023 at 11:52 am

    Are you Guys going to upload the Video with Jarno Opmeer?

  22. David Edwards

    March 6, 2023 at 12:34 pm

    In the USA — people can’t afford healthcare, can’t afford homes, can’t afford water. Something is bad wrong.

  23. 亀島明

    March 6, 2023 at 3:53 pm

    The Natives always used to have clean water and never had to pay for it.

  24. Peter Jackson

    March 6, 2023 at 5:46 pm

    lnvesting in crypto now shouId be in every wise individuaIs Iist, in some months time you’II be ecstatic with the decision you made today.

    • Shelley Raven

      March 6, 2023 at 6:31 pm

      I wanna invest too how can I get to Steve FC

    • Archie Collins

      March 6, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      Соединенные Штаты
      +𝟏𝟑𝟎𝟐𝟕𝟔𝟔𝟕𝟐𝟎𝟑
      Соединенные Штаты👍👎

    • Archie Collins

      March 6, 2023 at 6:32 pm

      Through whats app

    • Shelley Raven

      March 6, 2023 at 6:34 pm

      Thanks

  25. ronold cross

    March 6, 2023 at 6:28 pm

    What I am hearing is that the “Big” problem is just the compounding of little problems. By stareteng with the small, eventually, the ” Big” gets addressed and overcome/changed.

  26. Dave Kraft

    March 6, 2023 at 8:52 pm

    Old saying (paraphrased): “Those who think that small things don’t make a difference have never spent the night in a tent with a mosquito.” Well done Tiffani!

    • XamXam

      March 8, 2023 at 2:00 pm

      Mosquito nets are a permanent solution, you can use it for years. This is not.

  27. Steve Bellingham

    March 7, 2023 at 1:47 am

    *Great video. A dream does not become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work…*

    • Johnson Williams

      March 7, 2023 at 2:32 am

      THANKS ALOT I CONTACTED HER NOW AND SHE RESPONDED

    • Mandy Moore

      March 7, 2023 at 2:34 am

      Amazing I also started trading with Mrs Elizabeth Stark. $670,000 profits in just 2 months and still counting, Mrs Elizabeth Stark is the crypto trade queen as far as am concerned

    • Smith Micheal

      March 7, 2023 at 2:37 am

      The crypto market is highly profitable with an expert broker just like Mrs Elizabeth Stark. I got recommended to her and since then my financial life has been a success.

    • Randy jeffery

      March 7, 2023 at 2:38 am

      yes, Elizabeth is the best. She is the only one I can leave my investment with and think less about it, she is my money maker. I just received $13,000 of my investment last month. I am very happy because she is leading me to financial freedom.

    • montes paoal

      March 7, 2023 at 2:46 am

      Thank you, I will message her through telegram right away, I see this as an opportunity to escape my financial situation

  28. Wyane Cliff

    March 7, 2023 at 7:03 am

    I have lost almost half of my portfolio all because of this bear market that has been on for over a year now, I wish for a temporary solution for this dip😥

  29. Juan Felipe

    March 7, 2023 at 1:39 pm

    I feel one Of the greatest challenges that we first timers face in the ma rket is that we end up losing all we have, making it difficult to find ourselves back to our feet. My biggest advice is to always seek the services of a professional just like I did when I ventured into it for the first time. Big thanks to Jasmine Querida. I now make huge profits by weekly through her services while still learning to stand on my own.

    • Franklin Bright

      March 7, 2023 at 1:43 pm

      Dr. Querida is the Definitely the best so far. She always surprises me with amazing results.. We also plan to surprise him. You must have heard of it.

    • Oliver Clinton

      March 7, 2023 at 1:44 pm

      I trade with her too. She has been good with her numbers. It’s safe to say she knows her onions.

    • Juan Felipe

      March 7, 2023 at 1:46 pm

      “Queridafx”

    • Juan Felipe

      March 7, 2023 at 1:48 pm

      Telegram

    • Jason Wiese

      March 7, 2023 at 1:50 pm

      I just looked up her name online. She is licensed with credible certificates and has an amazing track record.

  30. Christian Hip Hop

    March 7, 2023 at 9:14 pm

    Awesome work

  31. Mustafa Hasan

    March 7, 2023 at 11:23 pm

    Inspiring. God bless this woman.

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