Where connection and belonging begin | Ani Adjemian | TEDxLittle Armenia

What if the smallest greeting can hold the greatest power? In this moving and deeply personal talk, Ani Adjemian reflects on how entering a new space with a heartfelt greeting, like “Barev,” the Armenian word for hello, can become a catalyst for human connection. Drawing from neuroscience, cultural tradition, and lived experience, she shows how greetings are more than social rituals. They are often the first signal of recognition between people, carrying meaning shaped by identity and culture, and signaling connection and belonging. Her talk reveals how the smallest gestures carry the greatest power, and that one intentional hello can quietly change the course of a life. Ani Adjemian is a Lecturer in Law at USC Gould School of Law, where she teaches Legal Writing and Advocacy with a strong focus on critical thinking, effective communication, and professional judgment. Her student-centered approach equips future legal professionals with the tools needed to analyze, argue, and advocate with clarity and purpose. Before joining USC Gould, Ani spent over sixteen years as a civil litigation and trial attorney in California, representing both public and private entities in complex cases spanning environmental law, product liability, employment law, and business disputes. Throughout her career, she has been guided by a commitment to integrity, precision, and credibility as the foundations of meaningful legal practice. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx