Meet Our Founder John Thomas

411 Brand Foundation founder John Thomas merged his love of sports, his drive for the community and over 25 years in the Youth Development industry into a passion with a purpose. Growing up in Buffalo, NY, John developed his basketball skills and dominated high school basketball as an All-New York State athlete, receiving full scholarships to various schools across the country. John chose to make Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama the literal launching pad for what would be his athletic and educational career. After earning his Bachelors of Arts Degree in Mass Communication & Journalism from Samford, John received an invitation to attend the NBA Summer League in Los Angeles, California. Although it was a dream to play in the NBA, John quickly realized that playing professional basketball was a job that required an unwavering desire that he found out that he didn’t have anymore. Once the Summer League ended and he wasn’t invited to play for an NBA team, John moved to Atlanta in 1993.

Shortly thereafter, John met the Promotions Director at heritage radio station, V-103. It was during that meeting that a conversation turned into an opportunity for John to coordinate a Celebrity Basketball Game with Jamie Foxx, Brian McKnight and more. After a few months, John was offered the position of Promotions Coordinator and was responsible for promotions for V103 and WAOK radio. In 1993, John created the 411 Knowledge & Entertainment Show which is a talk show that allows successful individuals from popular culture an opportunity to share their journey with young adults beginning their own journey. John produced over 50 shows throughout the country and secured several partners to enhance his vision, including Magic Johnson Theaters and Sprite to name a few.

In 2002, John wanted to give back to the city that had made him the driven individual that he had become. He achieved that by hosting the annual 411 All-Star Weekend in Buffalo, New York by bringing together several generations from the Western New York community through several events and culminating with the 411 All-Star Basketball Games featuring some of the greatest talent in history of Western New York history. From 2004-2006, John accepted the position of Director of Programs at Carver Community Center in Schenectady New York. He was responsible for creating and implementing youth programming in the areas of athletics and education for young people ages 6-18 years old. In an effort to reunite with his roots in Atlanta, from 2006-2010, John accepted a position as Director of Programs at George Washington Carver Boys & Girls Club in the Edgewood section of Atlanta. He managed a staff of 10+ and was responsible for overseeing programming for over 100 kids a day.

In 2010, it was this experience, that led him to start the 411 Brand Foundation Inc., a 501c3 Non-Profit organization that provides quality programming to young people throughout the country in the areas of education, entertainment, and athletics. Programs include 411 Sports Academy (Lacrosse, Soccer, Basketball), 411 Dance Academy, 411 Leadership Academy, 411 Music Academy, 411 Film & Drone Academy, 411 Session, and the 411 Private Run which brings Atlanta’s tastemakers and celebrities together for a weekly private basketball run.

 John is a loving husband and father of four that enjoys reading, traveling, and staying active by playing basketball, golf, and working out daily.