Virtual Veritas Vignettes 

Session 2 with Dawn J. fraser, HkS ‘04

Demystifying the TEDx Process: From Big Idea to Big Stage

Virtual Veritas Vignettes, a year-long storytelling series that brings our community together through the power of narrative. Each quarter, our alumni experts will equip alumni with practical tools to capture, craft, and share their personal and collective stories through various mediums—children’s books, memoirs, podcasts, and TEDx mini-series. Each three-month session focuses on a different storytelling medium, fostering skill-building, collaboration, and self-expression.

SECOND SESSION with Dawn J. Fraser

 

VVV Leader: Dawn Fraser, HKS 2004
Session Title: Demystifying the TEDx Process: From Big Idea to Big Stage (mini-series)

When: October 2025
* Wednesday, October 1st, 8:30-10:00 PM (EST)
* Wednesday, October 15th, 8:30-10:00 PM (EST)
* Wednesday, October 29th, 8:30-10:00 PM (EST)

Have you ever dreamed of sharing your idea on a TEDx stage—but felt unsure about how to start, how to stand out, or even how to apply? 

Join Dawn J. Fraser, nationally acclaimed storyteller, communications coach, and Lead Advisor & Organizer for TEDxStanford, for a behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to land and deliver a powerful TEDx talk.In this interactive workshop designed for the Harvard Black Alumni Association, Dawn will demystify the TEDx application process and share the exact steps she used to land her own TED Talk—through a competitive application process that she’ll walk you through.

You’ll learn:

• What curators actually look for in TEDx applications

• How to identify and frame your “idea worth spreading”

• Why strong storytelling matters more than credentials

• Common pitfalls to avoid in your application and delivery

• How TEDx can be a launchpad for broader speaking, media, and impact

This session is perfect for aspiring thought leaders, speakers, educators, and creatives who want to elevate their message and inspire wider audiences.Whether you’re TEDx-curious or already polishing your pitch, you’ll walk away with actionable tools—and a clearer path toward your own red dot moment.

COST: $200 
LOCATION: Zoom, a link will be sent to paid registrants
DEADLINE: Register before Wednesday, September 24th 
MAX class size: 20 people

Speaker Bio:

Dawn J. Fraser, a nationally acclaimed storyteller, educator, and communications coach, empowers individuals to harness the transformative power of their own narratives. As Senior Producer at the Stanford Storytelling Project, a TEDx speaker, and a Lead Instructor for The Moth for over 12 years, Dawn has a unique ability to guide participants in crafting authentic, impactful messages that resonate deeply. Her expertise, honed through coaching global audiences and formal studies in public narrative at the Harvard Kennedy School, helps professionals, entrepreneurs, and aspiring communicators to connect, influence, and lead with unparalleled conviction.

Through her coaching and consulting business, Fraser's Edge, Inc., Dawn is dedicated to empowering organizations, thought leaders, and creatives to deliver memorable presentations and audio experiences with confidence, clarity, and conviction. This exclusive master class series blends technical guidance with creative coaching to help you find your voice, shape your message, and amplify your truth. Whether you’re new to podcasting or ready to deepen your practice, this is a space to build community, elevate stories, and make your voice heard, especially as we navigate constant change.

Why Virtual Veritas Vignettes: Our stories are our legacy. By joining this initiative, you become part of a larger movement to preserve and elevate Black narratives—both personal and shared—within and beyond Harvard. Rooted in HBAS's mission, this initiative strengthens connections among Black Harvard alumni while preserving and amplifying our narratives.

At a time when Black history is being challenged and erased, this program empowers alumni to document their truths, celebrate shared experiences, and contribute to a legacy of storytelling that enriches both the Harvard and broader Black communities. By providing a structured platform for storytelling, Virtual Veritas Vignettes embodies the HBAS mission creating a forum for engagement, mentorship, and impact that enhances the alumni experience across generations.