Eric Thomas (motivational speaker)

Eric Thomas
Born Eric Thomas
1970
Chicago, Illinois
Residence Michigan
Nationality American
Alma mater Oakwood University (B.A.)
Michigan State University (M.A.)
Michigan State University (Ph.D.)
Occupation Motivational speaker; consultant; coach
Website Eric Thomas Website

Eric D. Thomas is an American motivational speaker, author and minister. Speeches by Thomas have been widely viewed and are popular on YouTube.[1][2][3]

Early life

Thomas was born in Chicago, Illinois,[4] and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After an argument with his parents, he dropped out of high school and lived homeless on the streets of Detroit for two years.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

While he was homeless, he met a preacher who inspired him to go back to school and eventually change lives.[8] He also took a job at an Olive Garden on the westside of Detroit.[9] Around this time, Thomas met his wife, De-De Mosley, at the Detroit Center Seventh Day Adventist Church.[9] They then moved to Huntsville, Alabama, attended Oakwood University, and they were married as college students.[9]

Thomas spent twelve years working toward an undergraduate degree at Oakwood and graduated in 2001.[10] While in Huntsville, Thomas preached and set up a program to help underprivileged youth.[9]

Career

Michigan State University

In 2003, Thomas took a job with Michigan State University (MSU) along with a fellowship to attend MSU to complete his master's degree in K-12 Administration with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. He worked as an academic adviser to disadvantaged students at MSU.[9] At MSU, he developed an undergraduate retention program targeting academically high-risk students of color. He also served as senior pastor at A Place of Change Ministries in Lansing, Michigan. Thomas obtained a master's degree from MSU in 2005, and a PhD in Education Administration in 2015.[11]

Motivational speaker

After becoming known as a preacher and motivational speaker, Thomas founded a company to offer education consulting, executive coaching and athletic development. Thomas has given motivational talks to collegiate and professional athletes.[12][13][14] Lebron James has credited Thomas as part of his inspiration for winning the 2012 NBA Championship.[9][15][16] Thomas voice-overs on ESPN advertisements for Major League Baseball and the National Football League.[9] Thomas has appeared on Fox News to discuss his work,[17] and portions of his sermons can be heard on the tracks "When A Fire Starts To Burn" and the opening track of deep house producers Disclosure's 2013 debut album, Settle.

Books

References

  1. ↑ Sarumi, Ahrif. "Eric Thomas and Tobe Nwigwe Are Mastering Motivation for Youth Culture". Huffington Post. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  2. ↑ Toren, Adam. "6 Must-See Motivational Videos on YouTube". Entrepreneur. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  3. ↑ Lombardi, Matt. "Video: Eric Thomas' Motivational Speech To NC State's Football Team Will Make You Want To Run Through A Wall". College Spun. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  4. 1 2 Allen, Christopher. "Eric Thomas – Hip Hop Preacher". On The Grind Coach.
  5. ↑ Hayes, Princess. "Eric Thomas 'the hip-hop preacher'". http://michronicleonline.com/. Michigan Chronicle. Retrieved 28 September 2015. External link in |website= (help)
  6. ↑ Woodyard, Eric. "Motivational speaker Eric Thomas challenges Burton Bentley students to reach for greatness". mlive.com. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  7. ↑ Rose, Lisa. "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED: THE TRUTH OF ERIC THOMAS". emPower Magazine. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  8. 1 2 "Eric Thomas Motivational Speaker – Best Quotes, Speeches & Videos!". Fearless Motivation. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Rexrode, Joe. "Eric Thomas goes from YouTube sensation to motivating Michigan State teams, and others around the world". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  10. ↑ Leebove, Laura. "Building Success". The State News. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "Dr. Eric Thomas talks sacrificing "Good" for "Greatness"". wgnradio.com. WGN Radio. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  12. ↑ Gribble, Andrew. "Alabama brings in another big-name motivational speaker on off day". al.com. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  13. ↑ Slovin, Matt. "Motivational speaker Eric Thomas builds rapport with Hoke, Gardner". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  14. ↑ Linafelt, Tim. "Thomas Motivates, Teaches Noles To 'Breathe'". Seminoles.com. Retrieved 28 September 2015.
  15. ↑ "Player Motivator". Slam Online. Retrieved 4 August 2015. |first1= missing |last1= in Authors list (help)
  16. ↑ Griffin, Leslie. "Native Detroiter Eric Thomas is a Motivational Master". Blac Detroit. Retrieved 4 August 2015.
  17. ↑ DiPiazza, Daniel. "Stop Calling 20-Somethings "Entitled." It's Not True.". HuffPost. Retrieved 28 September 2015.

External links

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