Join Darlene Jackson, DJ Lady D

Speaking at TEDxChicago 2025: TEDx Global Idea Search

Friday, September 26th @ Harris Theater, Millennium Park

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Darlene Jackson

COMMUNITY LEADER, DJ, AND PRODUCER

Darlene Jackson, also known as DJ Lady D, is hailed as “Chicago’s House Music Queen” by Chicago Magazine. An international DJ, producer, and remixer, she has toured North America, Europe, Asia, and Russia with her charismatic sets of house, techno, and disco. She has performed at ARC, SXSW, Lollapalooza, Burning Man, and the Chosen Few Picnic, and in 2004 launched her independent label and brand, D’lectable, cementing her role as a trailblazer in electronic music.

Jackson’s influence extends beyond the stage. She has appeared in documentaries including The War on Disco and The Godfather of Disco, been featured in Forbes, Mixmag, and Billboard, and contributed to outlets such as the Chicago Tribune, NPR WBEZ, and BBC Radio. A Chicago Chapter Governor for the Recording Academy and a Screen Actors Guild member, she also holds a master’s degree from Northwestern University and shares her expertise on the history and science of house music with audiences nationwide.

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djladyd.com
Instagram: @djladyd
X: @djladyd
TikTok: @djladyd
Facebook: @djladydchicago

Photo Credit: Seed Lynn

Friday, September 26th at Harris Theater, Millennium Park

Chicago’s stage for ideas + connection at the convergence of our culture, innovation, and democracy.

Our future feels uncertain, yet we are resoundingly called to what matters most: You and me. Us. Humanity, itself. At TEDxChicago 2025, we believe the most powerful force shaping tomorrow is our collective agency, imagination, desire for connection and laughter, dignity, and generosity. This year, our speakers and artists arrive on Chicago’s stage to share their ideas, showcasing their fierce commitment to unify science, technology, and sustainability with the essential principles of compassion, justice, and care. This is our love letter to Chicago.