CAN Talks

October 22, 2024

Individuals with disabilities flourish when seen as people first: people who have talent, people who are employable, people who enjoy life, and people who are no different in the areas that matter most.

Join us as local individuals with disabilities, who are flourishing in our community share their stories from their perspectives in order to challenge the status quo. Think TED Talks with a twist.

CAN Talks Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 22, 2024
Doors Open: 5:45 pm
Time: 6:40 pm – 8:30 pm
Event Tickets: $25 (tickets include one beverage, additional beverages can be purchased at the cash bar)
Virtual Tickets are $10.
Community Innovations Grants Check Presentation begins at 6:40 pm
Location: Centre Stage (501 River Street, Greenville, SC 29601)
Parking: Wheelchair accessible parking spaces are located street level along Court St., levels 1-4 of the River St. parking garage and levels G-5 in the Poinsett parking garage. Standard parking spaces will be available at the County Bank parking lot, River Street parking garage, Poinsett parking garage and on street spaces along Court Street.
Accommodation Requests: Contact Lara Ceisel at lara@barbarastonefoundation.org or 864-214-5798.

2024 Speakers

Jorge Aristizabal

Jorge Aristizabal is married, a father to 3 and has eight grandchildren. He recently moved to Greenville from Seattle and is passionate about educating others about the needs of the DeafBlind community to make Greenville a more accessible city. He was born in Colombia, South America and is retired from The Lighthouse for the Blind, a private, not-for-profit social enterprise providing employment, support, and training opportunities for people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities.

Betsy Knowles

Betsy Knowles is a native of Greenville and loves how Greenville is a big and thriving city with a small town feel. Despite having an ADHD diagnosis and a newly diagnosed rare eye condition called Keratoconus, Betsy has accomplished many things in her life and has a passion for the special needs community. She works at Domino’s pizza, is in an all-women’s choir called the Greenville Chamber Singers and has a certificate in dog grooming. Also an avid cook, she has an amazing cook book collection.

Jean Knight

Jean Knight has lived in Greenville her entire life and is an extremely active 24-year old woman. She was born prematurely and has an ADHD diagnosis. She completed the Project Search internship while she was at Eastside High and today she works at Greenville County EMS as a support service tech. You can also find her working security at Greenville Drive baseball games.

Jake Kellett

Jake Kellett is a graduate of Maudlin High and loves music, especially Prince and the Beatles. Jake just started a job in foodservice for Greenville County Schools. He enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, enjoying the lake and pool when he is not working. Jake is a participant in the Barbara Stone UP Employment program, which has expanded his job placement opportunities and grown his confidence tremendously despite his autism diagnosis.

Holden Roberts

Holden Roberts has lived in Greenville for 11 years and was born in Norman, Oklahoma. He is an Independent Living Specialist for ABLE SC, primarily working with young adults with disabilities helping them achieve their goals and live more independently. As someone with Autism, Holden recently moved into his own place, which is a goal he helps others achieve as an independent living specialist. In Holden’s free time, he likes modding and playing video games, cooking, writing and playing chess.

2024 Emcees

Owen Recio and Jameka Murphy

Emcees Jameka Murphy was a 2023 CAN Talks speaker and is excited about being a 2024 CAN Talks emcee. She is a brand strategist for small businesses and non-profit organizations, and she enjoys music and volunteering. A native of Brooklyn, Jameka became an amputee after a house fire when she was 17 years old. Her proudest achievement in her life is raising a neurodivergent daughter to believe she can achieve anything. Jameka uses her can-do attitude to approach any obstacle and since she never quits, there is no obstacle too big for her.

When Owen Recio was 19 years old, an accident left him paralyzed. Speaking in front of crowds energizes Owen because he loves sharing how losing everything after his accident has given his life a greater purpose. Owen was a 2023 CAN Talks Speaker and is excited to be a 2024 emcee. A student at Tri-County Tech, Owen hopes to be a professional public speaker one day and is passionate about advocating for the benefits of rehabilitation, so others have access to the tools, services and therapy they need. Owen is a baseball fanatic, enjoys watching movies and spending time with friends and family all around the Upstate.

2024 Sponsors

Exclusive Title Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

Anoymous Family

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

In-Kind Donations