Eric D. Thomas - Youth Activist, Speaker, Author and Motivator
Renown speaker, educator, author, activist and minister, Eric Thomas is rising to national prominence by delivering a high energy message that tells youth through first hand experience how to live up to their full potential and greatness and by breaking the cycles of crime, hopelessness and despair that many face daily. Known for his engagingly personal approach, his messages are both dynamic & inspiring. When coupled with his own Cycle-Breaking experience his blunt essays on reality and remarkable ability to reach even the most jaded of minds, has helped thousands of youth nationwide become peak performers academically, spiritually and personally. Eric has electrified audiences ranging from Fortune 500 companies to urban educators, collegiate athletic programs and inner-city youth development agencies with the message of his own life’s struggles and the principles, insights and strategies he used to overcome them. Eric is no stranger to the ills that plague our communities as he was born in Chicago, IL and raised on the streets of Detroit, MI. His childhood and adolescent years were difficult, and his life struggles and personal identity issues were intensified because like so many, he did not establish a relationship with his biological father until his early thirties.
At the age of 16, defiant and hardheaded, Eric decided to leave home and drop out of school, choosing to live on the streets of Detroit. By divine intervention at age 17, Eric met a pastor who saw him a young man with tremendous unrealized potential. As a result, their mentoring relationship was born which led Eric to complete his GED and to prepare for college. Determined not to be another statistic, Eric enrolled at Oakwood University where he began reading every thing he could get his hands on. Understanding the struggle of the streets, he realized what his purpose in life was to become, so he reached back to his fellow drug dealers and helped many of them get their GED’s, go to college and incorporate the strategies and self-improvement exercises he learned in order to assist them in developing their own life plans. In so doing, he provided them with a much-needed positive option to the life of crime and illiteracy they then led.
While in college, Eric started Break The Cycle I Dare You, (BTC) a non profit youth development and special event organization that focuses on developing programs for youth who have made bad choices and most often have had family, social, and academic struggles along with the lack of a father figure in their lives. Today BTC has developed and produced many supportive community-based programs and conferences across the country. They provide youth and teachers alike with activities, self-improvement exercises and motivational strategies to help them reach their highest potential in life. Eric now serves as the Chairman of the Organization.
He obtained his Masters degree in 2005 and is currently pursuing his PhD in Education Administration at Michigan State University and serves as Senior Pastor of A Place of Change Ministries, Lansing Michigan. He also serves as a consultant at Michigan State where he has developed The Advantage Program, an undergraduate retention program targeting academically high-risk students of color. In addition to his work with the Advantage at Michigan State, he also serves as a consultant for several collegiate athletic programs across the country. In this role, he provides assistants to student-athletes having academic and social challenges as it relates to successfully transitioning from high-risk schools and communities to a collegiate environment.
Eric’s representation of the merits of higher education, coupled with his knowledge of the pains of the street, inspires young people to break bad habits and reach for new levels of personal and spiritual achievement.
Eric has lived a life of challenges and triumph but has found a way to break the cycle.
James, September 20, 2010
Just when I was about to give up someone sent me a clip of E.T in action on facebook. I've read many books and listened to a few motivational speeches but this was different it felt real to me. A few months ago I was out o work, now I have a higher self belief I've been offered a job that was double my previous salary, I'm on the way to getting married next year and also in the process of setting up my own business online. Don't know if E.T will get to see this but I'd like to tell him thanks for helping me to transform my life! James PB Birmingham, UK
Carmen, September 20, 2010
Eric, you are one of the most committed brothas I know! Keep doing it and call me if you need me.
V, September 21, 2010
So Proud to see you answering the call. Keep on inspiring the masses.
Lamar Lee, September 26, 2010
I love your message E. It is up to us to take control of our future.
Aleyda, September 27, 2010
I was introduced to ET's work a week ago. Great stuff!!! keep the good work, E will change the life of many youths that can relate to him, awesome!!
Wonder Jam, October 3, 2010
Eric, Something about in the way you communicate your messages, that made me a believer in you. You need more press than the phony activists we have there. To that end, we @ Wonder Jam will do what we can to keep spreading your word. Thanks brother.
Eric Thomas, October 3, 2010
Wonder Jam, thanks a million, much respect
Demond Williams, October 8, 2010
ET, It's hard to put in words how you instantly impacted my life and more importantly putting a stamp on what I instill in my 12 year old daughter. I've shared several of your videos with her and my gift comes when I see the sparkle in her eye after I ask, "Are you ready to check out another TGIM?" You are greatly appreciated in my home. Thank you my man!
Eddie Boger, October 10, 2010
Eric you are a super brother very inspiring to me we need to link up ASAP!!
mikhail Brown, October 11, 2010
YO im glad this site is up E. i was gettin a lil worried, but Im def down for the cause. Im going to support the movement!!!!!!!!!!!
mikhail Brown, October 11, 2010
and BTW, YOU ARE THE MAN!!!!!!!!!!!! keep doin what your doin man. That video about success you made spoke straight to me man, it really has changed my life, and perspective- Thanks E
Jorge, October 14, 2010
I can see that you speak from the heart!! Thank you for what you do!!! Jorge Oxnard, California
Eugene, October 23, 2010
Eric, your lectures are inspirational. Whenever I'm being lazy and need a kick in the ass, your videos have greatly increased my productivity. Thanks again.
Jovie Sumner, October 24, 2010
I recently saw Eric's speech on success for the first time and I can't recall the last time I have ever heard I speech so powerful that it just brought me to tears!! This brother is no joke, and is making a huge impact in the world! I am no doubt a huge fan!
Jean-Luc Cesar, October 26, 2010
I only watched a video from you so far and it really motivated me! The Secret to Success part 1! You're a great inpiration and I'm sure that you're helping lots of people out here that need courage to continue their dreams! keep on doing the great job Eric!
Chris Oliver, November 2, 2010
WOW!!! When I heard Eric speak it really blew me away. I've given a few speeches to some Richmond City youth but I felt I myself was having something hold me back. I saw the clip of Eric telling how important it was to let your past go. A lot of times I would work very hard until I get downed because of my past but hearing him speak on it, really made me want to let it all go. Thanks
My name is Six Figgaz, November 2, 2010
Very good job my brother! Very good Job! We need more like you!!!
alimo russell, November 2, 2010
mr .thomas i saw ya video a while back that somebody posted up on facebook and i been looking for your videos ever since... i finally found them and man i'm glad i did because i needed ya inspiration i grew up just like you and that's something i wanted to do like talk to people about life struggles but i don't communicate very well but you are helping me now keep doing what you are doing brother..
payday loans, November 8, 2010
Aw, this was a genuinely quality blog post. In theory I'd like to write like this too - taking time and real effort to make a good blog post... but what can I say... I procrastinate alot and never seem to get something done.
Carmede Jackson, November 9, 2010
I would be interested in you attending an event to speak. please let me know if that something that we can put together.
sabah, November 10, 2010
Hi. I'm a student who has made bad choices in the past. But u're way of conveying the message was indeed really powerful and inspiring. :) Thank you
Jerome Latimer, November 15, 2010
Eric it's been a pleasure to listen to all of your youtube inspirational messages. What you've done for me is just validate what I'm trying to share with those I know, and also those who follow me on my FB page and also in the world. Without sacrifice there is no reward, and until people get that, they will stay in bondage. As educators it's our duty to teach those with an ear to listen, and hopefully to reach as many as possible. Stay blessed and keep doing what you do because people like myself enjoy your wonderful messages. Peace
Matt Clark, November 19, 2010
You know, it's so refreshing to hear someone motivate from a place that is so real. Every time I think "I'll review that project in the morning" I hear those words that until I want success more than I want sleep, I won't be successful; I stay up and do my work. Thank you Eric; I watch these videos over and over again. I hope we someday cross paths out there in the world. Matt Clark
Miguel, November 25, 2010
E.T. im from portugal and your words help me a lot! i want to make you a question? what can i do to help a friend o lost all hope in her self?
Robert Destin, December 16, 2010
ET my dude, you have uplifted my spirit and motivated me to walk in what GOD has planned for me. I to grew up in the hood and went through some of the same struggles as yourself. Step dad, alcohol, drugs. My goal is to start a company like yourself on next year and help young and old people hold on to hope in whatever state they are in. In the suburbs of Houston I'm currently an Assistant Principal at the same school that a teacher told me I wasn't college material, the same school that I flunked the 6th grade. It is truly a blessing to give hope to the people in my community. I just finished my first book I Think My-Self Happy (Motivational Memoir) which will hit the stores in March and the Best Seller's list in May (Real Talk). Today was my first day watching your segments and have probably watched eight of them already. My dude, don't stop, don't quit. We need you. We in the fourth quarter and GOD bout to throw u a hail Mary. Cotto's my Man!
Candice, January 7, 2011
Hi Mr. Thomas I am your biggest fan, and I am definately trying everything in my power to get you to come to our school. My personal finance teacher introduced your videos to us, and i fell in love with the passion that you have to motivate people to move on with their life. I admire you so much, and I tell everyone about you. I take everything you say to heart and I only hope that I will inspire someone the way that you inspired me. I can go on for days, but I just want to let you know that your amazing, incredible no outstanding, and I will get you to come and speak to the students at my school, so that they can feel the way that I feel when I watch your videos.
odszkodowanie, January 13, 2011
I wonder if this blog survives to occur so neatly in the network. Good luck, that you wish.
Cynthia Delva, January 29, 2011
Sak Pase Eric, I just wanted to give my personal thank you to you. When I was younger in my teens...which was like 10 years ago, you used to come to Atlanta all the time. At the time BTC was you Ladon, and Joey (at least that is who would come with you sometimes). You would come to Maranatha, and Shiloh and do youth week of prayers. There was one thing you told me that changed my walk with God and that was be real and be honest...say how you feel. I have come a long ways from then, how ever I will never forget that...because you were the only one that told me truth that simple. I pray that God blesses your ministry you are changing lives and touching souls for eternity. My thanks go out to you for letting god use you. And to let you know...as an update that his message is real...I finished my Associates and Bachelors degree, and will soon be heading by God's grace to Medical school to be a doctor. For any student out there that feels discouraged...your life can change, and yes you can be successful. My last thing I want to share is my greatest joy, I work with women and children in low income communities and around the world, to give back what others gave to me...HOPE! God bless you all.
ken lowe, August 30, 2011
THIS DUDE NEEDS TO BE IN EVERY CITY. EVERY GHETTOE EVERY PRISION EVERY SCHOOL THROUGH OUT THE WORLD... HES A BLESSING.. I WISH I HAD HIM AS A FATHER GROWING UP..CHECK OUT MY MOTIVATIONAL SONG/VIDEO BETTER DAYS.. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vF9F2pOzdfY ..When you want to be successful as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful shout out to ET..THE HIPHOP PREACHER
Tiana, September 11, 2011
This man will change lives. I agree with Ken Lowe. WISH I COULD SEE ET EVERY SUNDAY. I'm glad I discovered the hip hop preacher. I hope many others will too. http://vimeo.com/27933991
Caro Ramirez, September 11, 2011
Ever since I discovered your video The Truth, I've been watching it every night before I head to bed. Thank you for being one of my motivations and inspirations in life.
Calvin, September 16, 2011
God Bless your every move bro. Few brothers are sharing the truth as you do. God Bless your every move. Keep bringing liberty to the captives. In Jesus name Amen!