Ulysse Delivers “Ted Talk” at University of Michigan

Gina Ulysse made a 13-minute presentation during “Untapped,” the fourth annual TEDxUofM ideas convention at the University of Michigan on April 5. Ulysse is associate professor of African American studies, associate professor of anthropology and director of the Center for African American Studies.

Ulysse, a University of Michigan alumna, was one of 20 speakers at the event. More than 1,300 guests attended. Ulysse focused her talk on untapped creativity and why she is turning to performance work at this stage of her life.

“With a broad range of topics ranging from NASA funding, creativity, brain cancer research, philanthropy, a food cart hero, ground-breaking physical therapy, Detroit, teaching philosophy, life outside of prison, Arab stereotypes, gay bashing and bullying, among other things, I certainly can attest to the fact that the event was engaging and thought-provoking,” she said.

While at the conference, Ulysse was inspired by the student-organizers’ “dedication and infectious spirit of openness to ideas and difference.” She wrote about her experience working with the students in this Huffington Post article.