Seven Billion Stories, Seven Billion Dreams: Jimmy Neil Smith at TEDxFurmanU

In 1973, Jimmy Neil Smith founded the National Storytelling Festival in the tiny Tennessee town of Jonesborough—the first public event anywhere in the world dedicated exclusively to the celebration of the ancient tradition of storytelling. The event ignited a national, even international, revival of appreciation for collecting, crafting, and sharing stories. Two years later, Smith founded the organization that would become the International Storytelling Center. In 2002, ISC opened in Jonesborough the world's first facility dedicated to storytelling. For over 40 years, Smith has been a prime mover in the advancement of the performance, preservation, and professional practice of storytelling. Retiring as president of ISC in 2012, Smith is now devoting his time to helping people around the world unleash the power of their stories to build a better future and achieve their dreams. His current project is working with the United States Department of State through its Embassy in Madagascar to assist the small African nation of Comoros in building a community storytelling program to enhance the country's quality of life and enrich its infant tourism-development program. Smith lives in Jonesborough, Tennessee.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event

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.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)