What's the future if there is no one to build it?: Jasmine Lawrence at TEDxRVA

Jasmine Lawrence is a recent graduate of the College of Computing at Georgia Tech and now works for Microsoft as a Program Manager on the Xbox One Engineering Team. While earning her bachelors degree in computer science with concentrations in devices and artificial intelligence, Jasmine conducted research in the field of robotics at the Georgia Tech Healthcare Robotics Lab and the Robotics and Intelligent Machines Lab.

Additionally, she was a proud executive leader of "StartUp" at Georgia Tech, which is a forum for students to bring ideas leading to an entrepreneurial renaissance, a member of the National Society of Black Engineers, Omicron Delta Kappa - the National Leadership Honor Society, and Upsilon Pi Epsilon - the International Honor Society for Computing & Information. With this commendable involvement, it is no surprise that she was named Ms. Georgia Tech in 2012-2013.

Notably, Jasmine's entrepreneurial and leadership abilities started much before college at the young age of 13 when she founded EDEN BodyWorks after attending NFTE BizCamp. EDEN BodyWorks was born from Jasmine's own need for a natural hair care solution. Devastated by the harsh chemical products available, 11 year-old Jasmine sought to develop unique products that were all natural and really worked. After 9 years, EDEN BodyWorks has experienced tremendous growth with products available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Kroger, and Sally's Beauty Supply Store.

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)