On Saturday, May 20th, the largest and highest rated TEDx conference in the New York region, TEDxNavesink, held its fifth annual TED Talk event at the iconic Paramount Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The event explored the theme of “identity” as TEDxNavesink unveiled its new identity as TEDxAsburyPark. The all-day conference was split into four acts and showcased 27 thought-leaders from all over the state, including Vydia’s own CEO and Co-Founder Roy LaManna.

Roy LaManna took the stage as one of the last acts of TEDxAsburyPark to share how perseverance and determination took him from being a C-student to a successful entrepreneur. LaManna opened up about his journey through school, explaining how his teachers often labeled him as a “distraction” or said he “lacked effort”. Instead of letting negative feedback and low grades inhibit his success, a 19-year-old LaManna decided to dedicate his time persistently pursuing his passions: music, video production, and marketing. LaManna adds that it is important to follow your passions and love what you do. He says “I still do what I want to do, and that is the great part of being an entrepreneur”. LaManna explains that individuals who may not fit into traditional schooling are often the ones who go on to make the best entrepreneurs. The “young disruptors,” as he calls them, are the children who have the ideas, passion, and tenacity to chase down their dreams. LaManna warns that America is leaving talent on the table by looking at grades and not potential. He concluded with the message that anyone can alter their label or identity if they have the resilience to pursue their goals.

The rest of the event featured hard-hitting talks that touched upon the variety of different ways that identity can be shaped. The speakers themselves came from a variety of backgrounds and had a range of experience. In addition to LaManna, some of the most notable speakers were former New Jersey governor Jim McGreevey, nonfiction author and famous TEDx speaker Dr. Robert Hanson, and Merriam-Webster Dictionary lexicographer Korey Stamper. TEDxAsburyPark also featured local musical talents like the legendary JT Bowen and Two River Theater’s own John Dias & Teal Wicks.

TEDxAsburyPark is an independently organized annual event that aims to bring together New Jersey’s leading thinkers and doers to educate and inspire the local community. Each year, a new theme and group of speakers are chosen to spark new conversation and promote innovation among the hundred of businesses, non-profit leaders, students, and sponsors in attendance. Just in case you missed the event, the Huffington Post and Hype Magazine covered Roy LaManna’s inspirational talk or you watch it below: