AUTHOR · SPEAKER · HUMANITARIAN
Eddy Paul Thomas
Author
Storyteller
Historian
Humanitarian
Consultant
Eddy Paul Thomas has been working at the intersections of mercy ministry, racial reconciliation, human rights, and education for just over two decades. His passion is fueled by his faith and desire to see all of humanity treated with dignity. His commitment to disrupting and dismantling systemic issues that plague people of color, women, and the underserved both domestically and globally has led to the creation of impactful community programs and critical awareness.
Eddy Paul Thomas attended Purdue University, where he played point guard for the 1995-96 Men's Big Ten Championship Team. Later he helped coach the Franklin College Women’s Basketball Team to a Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship and a birth in the NCAA Tournament. His success experienced on the hardwood fueled his heart for coaching and serving others in his community. From working as a program developer and social worker for organizations that specialized in assisting children with special needs, underserved communities, and later cultivating opportunities to increase funding which improved mental health outcomes for people experiencing homelessness, he gained a wealth of knowledge concerning the systems, protocols, policies, and social contracts that have disproportionately impact people of color.
Eddy Paul Thomas gained a broader perspective in his career when he was able to couple his undergrad degree in history and sociology with a master's degree in Organizational Management (specializing in marketing). Gaining insights on the psychology of color, negative imagery, stereotypes, and the lasting impact of the way stories are told further informed his understanding of how centuries of media influence worked to skew the public's knowledge of many topics regarding this nation's Black and Brown citizens. The cogent nature of institutional racism and sexism
were further illustrated while working as a professor of cross-cultural communications and engaging in Ph.D. coursework with a focus on community health. This knowledge proved to be the catalyst for a transition from simply working behind the scenes to stepping forward into public advocacy and education on the impact of institutional racism and generational oppression. Since that time, Eddy Paul Thomas has worked with secular, non-profit, and ministry efforts both domestically and globally to reduce the forces that impede progress in these areas.
He is the Host of The Unbroken Place Podcast, author of A Broken Seat at the Table: Conversations About Race, Resilience, and Building Bridges, When The Light Turns On, and the Thompson Woods Trail Children's Book Series, whose books “Why Can’t I Just Have It” and "What Does It Mean to Be a Man?" debuted #1 on Amazon’s best sellers list. He is also the head writer for OK...On Second Thought, a thought-provoking newsletter and blog that explores how empathy enhances teamwork, mental health, and interpersonal communications.
Appearances
Eddy Paul Thomas has been incredibly fortunate to share his insights and stories across a variety of platforms, from podcast airwaves and engaging in dynamic panel discussions to contributing as a guest writer for numerous organizations. Here's a curated selection of these appearances for your enjoyment and inspiration. Click an image below, dive in and explore!