Nonprofits & Activism

What to do when everything feels broken | Daniel Alexander Jones

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more. “Some call me a soul sonic superstar,” says Jomama Jones, the alter ego of TED Fellow and theater artist Daniel Alexander Jones. In this stunning talk and performance, Jomama Jones invites us to consider how coming undone can be…

Published

6 years ago

September 8, 2020

CYBER TECH TV

Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

“Some call me a soul sonic superstar,” says Jomama Jones, the alter ego of TED Fellow and theater artist Daniel Alexander Jones. In this stunning talk and performance, Jomama Jones invites us to consider how coming undone can be the first step toward transformation. It’s a powerful story of community, growth and renewal — and how breaking apart can mean breaking open.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You’re welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know. For more information on using TED for commercial purposes (e.g. employee learning, in a film or online course), submit a Media Request here:

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41 Comments

Aakash Goel

September 8, 2020 at 3:06 pm

????????

Reply
Panav KALRA

September 8, 2020 at 3:12 pm

Second

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Dr Zakir Naik Speeches

September 8, 2020 at 3:25 pm

Asslam o Allaikum Muslim Umma!

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Navneet Singh

September 8, 2020 at 3:27 pm

????

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mysb hyv

September 8, 2020 at 3:32 pm

I sobbed and weeped towards the end, as I could relate to uncle Freeman, and I felt Jomama was talking directly to my broken self ????????????
???????????? Excellent performance!
Thank you, D.A. Jones a.k.a. Jomama Jones ????

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- Louise LeMarr
  
  September 9, 2020 at 4:58 am
  
  ALL of us are broken in one way or another. It’s part of living. When ya got a lot of broken pieces, just fix one little thing at a time. Inch by inch, life’s a cinch. Yard by yard, it’s pretty damn hard. Go easy on yourself.
  
  Reply
Allison Floyd

September 8, 2020 at 3:46 pm

Very happy ???????? ????????♥️❤️

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Juliet Healy

September 8, 2020 at 4:12 pm

Anyone want to be my Boyfriend ???????? ????????♥️❤️

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꧁Kinjjal Khare꧂

September 8, 2020 at 4:15 pm

And that’s called timing
I ruined my paper today and felt so broken that I didn’t wanted to give the next one. But nowI know I’ll do well. Thanks TED ????

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Virgin_Mary _In_Islam

September 8, 2020 at 5:03 pm

Prophet Muhammad used to say when he was in distress: (None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the Incomparably Great, the Compassionate. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the GOD of the Mighty Throne. None has the right to be worshipped but Allah the GOD of the heavens, the GOD of the earth, and the GOD of the Honourable Throne).”

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Zirek Isakova

September 8, 2020 at 5:18 pm

Return the TED RU!!! Why closed???

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shubham sharma

September 8, 2020 at 6:47 pm

i don’t understood a word.

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Unicorn 360

September 8, 2020 at 6:52 pm

so many bots…

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Richard Brandes

September 8, 2020 at 7:05 pm

What just happened? I’m frightened now.

Reply
- Louise LeMarr
  
  September 9, 2020 at 5:03 am
  
  Relax, sweetie…. we are all in this together.
  
  Reply
Rodrigo Guedes

September 8, 2020 at 8:08 pm

Oowww????

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chakrakhanesh

September 8, 2020 at 10:11 pm

As a black woman, I feel deeply offended by and resentful towards “Jomamma Jones” character.

Disclaimer: I stopped watching at 2:35 to write this – and I don’t know where it’s going.

Assuming it’s more of whatever THAT just was, here’s my question:

How would this man like it if I dressed up like his Uncle or Grandfather and started spouting supposed wisdom – but was really just mirroring trite stereotypes about his culture? I don’t think he would appreciate it at all.

If you want to hear wisdom from a Black Auntie, find you a Black Auntie.

Drag as an art form is one thing. Lip sync away. But please, don’t perform a monologue as a black woman unless you are quoting one.

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- Louise LeMarr
  
  September 9, 2020 at 5:05 am
  
  I’m sorry your are offended.
  
  Reply
- Eli Assis
  
  September 9, 2020 at 7:46 pm
  
  When you left,the story wasn’t even started… what was so offensive about the prologue that you saw?
  
  Reply
- MAUSINN
  
  September 10, 2020 at 5:05 pm
  
  Chakrakhanesh
  , help me understand what it is about this performance that makes you feel deeply offended and resentful. Not being black or a woman I don’t and can’t feel those reactions, but I want to understand them. Help me understand those reactions.
  
  Reply
- Claudia Gomez
  
  September 12, 2020 at 8:31 pm
  
  You are empty.
  
  Reply
honestcurls

September 8, 2020 at 11:45 pm

I am dealing with the death of a beloved cat and my grandmother went into the hospital today. It truly has been a time of radical change. I needed this video.

Reply
쫀득한예영칩Vlog

September 9, 2020 at 12:45 am

Scary

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Sharon Bridgforth

September 9, 2020 at 4:45 am

Just what I needed! THANK YOU

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Sumit Kc

September 9, 2020 at 5:04 am

*Even in my past i was from future*

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Louise LeMarr

September 9, 2020 at 5:06 am

Outstanding!

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Mónica Vieira

September 9, 2020 at 7:45 am

So so so beautiful! Thank you

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Bear InTheWoods

September 9, 2020 at 12:23 pm

So beautiful and moving. Thank you!

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Ritik Nama

September 9, 2020 at 10:56 pm

What was all about i didnt understand

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Madame Gandhi

September 10, 2020 at 3:20 am

Love you DAJ

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Kind Guy

September 10, 2020 at 5:07 am

Wtf Who is it?

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- Reese RemyMafia
  
  September 10, 2020 at 4:25 pm
  
  I really don’t understand this ted talk
  
  Reply
THE MUATAS

September 10, 2020 at 1:11 pm

beautiful. thank you.

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truhhhhhhhokIII3

September 10, 2020 at 4:37 pm

He literally talks like a mix between Ron Funches and that one Keto doctor on youtube

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Mark S

September 10, 2020 at 6:59 pm

Jomama is always so uplifting . Thank you!

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Junior Ordel

September 10, 2020 at 9:57 pm

I suspected my wife of cheating on me but I never had any proof. This went on for months, I didn’t know what to do. i was so paranoid and decided to find a solution, i saw a recommendation about a hacker and decided to contact him. I explained the situation about my wife to him and he said he was going to help me.I gave him all the informations he required and afterwards i received all my wife’s phones Text messages and calls, I was hurt when i saw a picture of my wife and her lover. I feel so bad about infidelity. but i am glad Mr james was able to help me get all this information, you can contact him through Gmail : Worldcyberhackers or WhatsApp: ‪+1 (267) 877‑3020

Reply
Lory Lozano

September 11, 2020 at 4:54 am

????????????????????????????????

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Nikolay Muranov

September 11, 2020 at 9:48 am

feel broke – cry a lot. u r welcome

Reply
firalogy _

September 13, 2020 at 7:54 am

Thankyou :’ I am one of millions people that been laid off because of C19. I was starting to lose my self and faith.. then I watch this.
I will try my best to survive this–I hope we all survive this.

Reply
ITouchTheSky 8GladysWorld8

September 13, 2020 at 8:39 pm

Lovely watching and listening to you here on the top of the mountain. Thanks for talking about this topic.

Reply
시나몬

September 14, 2020 at 8:12 am

….Oh no. It’s raining heavy and i can’t hear what are they trying to say. So, i just read the subtible….OMG, i understand nothing…my English is bad / v . So i’ll save this video and improve English. I hope someday i’ll understand this clearly. ♡

Reply

Nonprofits & Activism

Meeting in the Middle Isn’t Enough for Today’s Trickiest Debates | Bill Heck & Stephanie Lepp | TED

Published

7 months ago

August 22, 2025

CYBER TECH TV

Can art help us usefully address polarizing issues such as gender, abortion or race? In a performance of “Faces of X” — a series that seeks to reframe culture-war clashes — actor Bill Heck stages different sides of a debate between capitalism’s champions and its critics, illuminating a new way to grapple with complex realities. After the performance, creator Stephanie Lepp offers three questions we should all ask to move to clear perspective and new understanding. (Recorded at TED2025 on April 9, 2025)

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The TED Talks channel features talks, performances and original series from the world’s leading thinkers and doers. Subscribe to our channel for videos on Technology, Entertainment and Design — plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. Visit to get our entire library of TED Talks, transcripts, translations, personalized talk recommendations and more.

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#TED #TEDTalks #SocialChange

Nonprofits & Activism

The Blueprint for Serving a Million School Lunches — Every Day | Wawira Njiru | TED

Published

8 months ago

August 19, 2025

CYBER TECH TV

Sometimes feeding just one child can seem challenging. Not for entrepreneur Wawira Njiru, who’s gone from serving lunch to 25 children from a makeshift kitchen to establishing her nonprofit, Food4Education, as a cornerstone of Kenya’s school meals system. Currently serving half a million meals to children every day, she’s now thinking even bigger. Hear about her incredible plan to serve delicious, nutritious daily meals to millions of kids across Africa by 2030. (This ambitious idea is part of The Audacious Project, TED’s initiative to inspire and fund global change.) (Recorded at TED2025 on April 9, 2025)

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#TED #TEDTalks #Nutrition

Nonprofits & Activism

Why You Should Be Able to Vote on Your Phone | Bradley Tusk | TED

Published

8 months ago

July 29, 2025

CYBER TECH TV

The US political system is broken — and the solution might be in the palm of your hands, says political strategist Bradley Tusk. Drawing on his deep experience with government and technology, he makes the case for allowing Americans to vote on their phones, explaining how it can be done safely and securely. Learn why mobile voting could be the best way to increase voter turnout, reduce political extremism and save our broken democracy. (Recorded at TED2025 on April 10, 2025)

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#TED #TEDTalks #Politics