You’re Right: I’m Wrong. Who Wins? | Mel Harris | TEDxOjai

NOTE FROM TED: This talk discusses a suicide attempt. Please seek professional help if you are struggling. Some viewers may find elements to be upsetting.

You’re right, I’m wrong, who wins? Now, more than ever, conversations across divides can feel futile, but as author, speaker, and advocate Mel Harris shares, it’s through these very attempts at connection that we rediscover our shared humanity. After coming out in a conservative religious community, Harris faced rejection so severe it nearly ended her life. Words almost destroyed her—but she learned they also hold the power to heal. This inspiring and humorous talk is more than a wake-up call: it will shatter assumptions, biases, and challenge you to build bridges as you discover what it can mean to truly win. Mel Harris is a leader in restorative justice and social innovation, known for fostering dialogue between communities in need and institutions with resources. As an author, speaker, and advocate, she works to drive transformative change at the intersection of intersectionality and the LGBTQ+ community. Mel’s background as a former minister in the conservative evangelical church, where she built social safety nets for under-resourced individuals, gives her a unique perspective on deconstructing systemic bias and creating inclusive communities.

Now a strategic alliance builder, Mel consults with a wide range of stakeholders, from Fortune 100 companies to policymakers and media conglomerates, to support historically excluded communities. Her global influence includes collaborations at the World Economic Forum, Cannes Lions, and in regions like Northern Ireland and South Africa.

Mel served as the first Head of Global Council Strategy at The Juilliard School, where she expanded the institution’s diversity and global reach. A sought-after leader in DEI initiatives, she advocates for justice, belonging, and psychological safety. In Washington, D.C., Mel mentors the next generation, produces her podcast Finding Our Way Forward, and works to create affirming spaces for queer people of faith in the Mid-South. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx