TEDxDoral Inspires With “The Power of the Unlikely”

By: Alejandra Rojas

Doral, FL – TEDxDoral took place on September 5 at the Doral Cultural Arts Center, bringing an evening of inspiring talks under the theme “The Power of the Unlikely.” The event, hosted by FIU student Diana Hughes, combined powerful ideas with a strong sense of community, leaving attendees with both inspiration and practical insights.

Mayor Christi Fraga opened the evening by reflecting on leadership as both responsibility and trust, describing Doral as her “other child” and emphasizing her belief in service over importance.

“Leadership means to me responsibility and trust. I think that people want leaders that can feel relatable, but also very trustworthy,” Fraga said. “They want leaders that will listen, but they also want leaders that will take action.”

Her remarks resonated with the community-focused theme of the night.

Another standout moment came from Rosemary Ravinal, who shared how her childhood stutter became a source of strength and a reminder that no barrier should silence a person’s dreams.

“Everybody has a story to tell. Everyone has a source of inspiration that people need to hear. And you just need to tap into it, find the right words to tell the right story to the right people at the right time,” Ravinal said.

By framing her stutter as part of her story, she illustrated how what seems like a weakness can become a superpower.

The program also included a diverse lineup of voices such as Dave Bricker, Alex Delgado, Jason Houston, Marly Q. Casanova, Bianca Animaca, Christina Delgado, and Eugenio Jaramillo, each offering unique perspectives on resilience, reinvention, storytelling, and authenticity. Together, their talks illustrated how unlikely challenges can open doors to new possibilities.

The evening served as a reminder that even in the most unexpected circumstances, grit and perseverance can lead to remarkable success. With powerful voices and inspiring messages, TEDxDoral marked an important moment for Doral’s cultural scene.