Eric Thomas is a loving father and devoted husband to his wife, DeDe. Together, they have two children, Jalin and Jada. Aside from being a family man, he is also an Audie Awards Finalist, an acclaimed author, a world-renowned speaker, an educator, and a pastor. Known by his alias, ET, he is famous for his energetic speeches and creative style. His words have altered the lives of millions of people in several hundred countries worldwide. With his inspirational messages, he has become a global phenomenon, with tours to places like Australia, London, and Africa.
Eric takes his personal experiences, such as his early struggles with homelessness, the absence of a biological father, and academic struggles to inspire others facing similar situations. His life acts as an open book, emanating dynamic messages that resonate with a wide audience. He believes in the power of education, earning his Bachelor's degree after 12 years and later a Master's Degree in 2005 from Michigan State University despite facing scholastic difficulties.
In his pursuit of addressing societal issues, Eric initiated several community service initiatives, such as his award-nominated GED program, Break the Cycle I Dare You, a widely acclaimed non-profit organization, and other educational and ministerial endeavors. His passion led him to Michigan State University, where he launched the Advantage Program, an undergraduate retention program for high-risk college students. Furthermore, his role in International Urban Education Consultants, a non-profit organization, is notably impactful in closing the achievement gap in urban schools. Currently, he is one dissertation away from earning his PhD in Education Administration.
As a consultant at Michigan State University, ET can be described as a symbol of hustle, drive, determination, and success. Millions have found inspiration from his award-nominated autobiography, The Secret to Success, which became viral on social media with over 50 million hits. His second successful project, Greatness Is Upon You, was released under his own publication label, Eric Thomas and Associates Publications.
Serving as the CEO of his Consulting Firm, ETA LLC., Eric has led his team to many leading organizations such as General Electric, Quicken Loans, AT&T, Nike, Under Armour, New Balance and UPS. His expertise has also been sought after by major Universities, professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL), sports teams, and institutions such as the University of Michigan, Duke, and North Carolina. His commitment to education, combined with his knowledge of life’s pains, proves true his statement that "When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you'll be successful."
