Rich Medina paints Philadelphia as an epic birthplace and 'nurturing mother' for musical expression. After an Ivy League education and a promising start in semi-professional basketball, Medina found himself working in a series of lucrative but unfulfilling corporate jobs. All the while, he felt the pull of music. Finding promise and immense inspiration in Philadelphia's music scene, Medina left his trained profession behind. Though his life in music has taken him around the globe, Medina still calls Philadelphia home and continues to find inspiration in the city that nurtured his creative muscle.

Over a two-decade career, Rich Medina has been DJ'ing, producing, writing and creating global music and dance events. From his humble beginnings as a young b-boy-turned-DJ in Lakewood, NJ, to his current status manning the decks as one of the most popular DJ's in Philadelphia and New York, Medina has been taking crowds on a multiethnic sonic journey through hip-hop, house, Afrobeat, funk and soul.

http://www.richmedina.com

The 2011 TEDxPhilly conference examined vast interpretations of the theme "The City" on Tuesday, November 8. TEDxPhilly brought together engaging speakers, performers, participants and exhibitors to deconstruct, decipher and explore some of the greatest challenges, innovations, concepts and realities that shape and are shaped by cities and their inhabitants. Philadelphia was the point of departure, but the conversation traveled beyond its borders. The event took place at Temple Performing Arts Center in North Philadelphia.

http://www.tedxphilly.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.*