It would be hard to think of a better role model for kids than a U.S. Air Force veteran, author, recording artist, motivational speaker, mentor and advocate for underserved youth. So it was hard for us to think of anyone better than Les Thomas, Sr. to be the NEW live emcee for Heroes In Waiting anti-bullying and peace-building school assemblies!
If Les looks familiar, it might be because he energizes 60,000 fans week-in and week-out as the legendary hype-bringer and voice of the game-day experience for Oklahoma State University football and basketball. Or it might be because of his earnest work creating pathways to health, wholeness, and economic opportunity for inner city youth as the executive director of community engagement at Urban Bridge OKC.
“You could look anywhere – I mean anywhere – and you will not find a bigger, more genuine heart for youth than Les Thomas,” says Heroes In Waiting executive director Jim Stewart. “We can’t wait for more kids to be challenged and changed when they hear his story of hope.”
In fact, students of all ages will benefit from our new live programming this school year as Les opens up about his life, his broken childhood with no true example of success, and his hope-inspired example of starting wrong, but finishing strong.
“People always call me a hype man, but I’m really a hope man,” says Les. “Growing up in a tough situation and losing many of my friends to the streets, my mom saw greatness in me at a time when I didn’t even know what greatness was,” he says. “She gave me hope, and that’s the kind of hope I want to bring to all the kids touched by Heroes In Waiting. I am very excited about this new partnership.”