Who is SirDiamond Jones?
SirDiamond (he/him) is a 26-year-old dynamic storyteller, creator, and advocate hailing from Columbus, Akron, and Cleveland, Ohio. As a digital trailblazer, he has cultivated a following of over 550,000 across multiple platforms by openly sharing his journey, embracing vulnerability, and inspiring authenticity.
A proud parent to two stepdaughters, SirDiamond is also a committed community leader, working closely with the LGBTQ+ community and volunteering to combat youth and adult homelessness. Whether online or in person, his mission is to challenge norms, empower voices, and foster spaces where people feel seen and supported.
*SirDiamond’s TEDxAkron Talk will be shared here and online once ready for the public. But if you want to be there to see it live on Saturday, September 13th at 2pm at the Knight Stage, get tickets now!
TEDxAkron Q&A with SirDiamond:
Q: What do you love most about working/living in Akron?
What I love most about Akron is its rich history—especially landmarks like the door to the Hotel Mathews on Howard Street, the first African-American-owned hotel in the city. You can still visit it today, and it reminds us how far we’ve come - and have to go.
Q: What do you think you’re most known for, and what might surprise people the most about you?
I think I’m most known for “just doing anything.” I love trying new things—building, exploring, experimenting. What might surprise people is that I LOVE fishing… but I’ve never actually been!
Q: Where are places in your life (especially in Akron) where you feel like you're always "shaking the rules" a little bit?
I shake the rules most when working with youth—pushing them to think beyond what they know and to explore opportunities outside their usual environment.
Q: What's your favorite quote or mantra and why?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” – Wayne Gretzky. Because trying is everything—if you never take the chance, you never get the win.
Q: What is the one thing you’re looking forward to the most as a future TEDx speaker?
I’m looking forward to the new friendships, conversations, and opportunities that TED will open up for me and others.