Eric D. Thomas (born September 3, 1970) is an American motivational speaker, author and minister. Speeches by Thomas have been widely viewed and are popular on YouTube.
Video Eric Thomas (motivational speaker)
Early life
Thomas was born in Chicago, Illinois, and grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After various arguments with his parents and aunts, he dropped out of high school and lived homeless on the streets of Detroit for two years.
While he was homeless, he met a preacher who inspired him to go back to school and eventually change lives. He also took a job at an Olive Garden on the westside of Detroit. Around this time, Thomas met his wife, De-De Mosley, at the Detroit Center Seventh Day Adventist Church. They then moved to Huntsville, Alabama, attended Oakwood University, and they were married as college students.
Thomas spent twelve years working toward an undergraduate degree at Oakwood and graduated in 2001. While in Huntsville, Thomas preached and set up a program to help underprivileged youth.
Maps Eric Thomas (motivational speaker)
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. At MSU, he developed an undergraduate retention program targeting academically high-risk minority students. He also served as senior pastor at A Place of Change Ministries in Lansing, Michigan. Thomas attained a master's degree from MSU in 2005, and a PhD in Education Administration in 2015.
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. Lebron James has credited Thomas as part of his inspiration for winning the 2012 NBA Championship. Thomas voice-overs on ESPN advertisements for Major League Baseball and the National Football League. Thomas has appeared on Fox News to discuss his work, and portions of his sermons can be heard on the track "Intro" of deep house producers Disclosure's 2013 debut album, Settle, Hip-hop/R&B artist Foster's track "Hard Times" in 2016, and on the intro track "Wins and Losses" to rapper Meek Mill's 2017 album of the same name.
Books
- The Secret to Success (2012)
- Greatness Is Upon You: Laying the Foundation (Kindle Edition, 2014) ASIN B00NTGO41S
- Average Skill Phenomenal Will (2016)
References
External links
- Eric Thomas's YouTube channel
- Eric Thomas on Twitter
- ET The Hip Hop Preacher on Facebook
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