WorkConnect Article from October, 2007

Thomas Barksdale II has been hailed as one of the leading experts of character development and is known as one of the most transparent speakers of his generation. After going through several life trials, he realized that his life’s mission is sharing with young people the value of resiliency. Thomas has been delivering motivational, educational, social, and spiritual messages to a variety of audiences throughout the country. In high school and college Thomas lost several friends and students he personally mentored to gang violence, incarceration, and even death. As a result, he made a personal commitment to proactively create programs and services that would foster alternatives to curtail youth destructive behaviors.

Having graduated from North Carolina A&T State University and earning a degree in a business related discipline, he became keenly aware of his talents and realized his greatest gift was helping people – particularly young adults – commit to purpose and to pursue character. Through The Barksdale Foundation, which is his motivational speaking consulting firm, Thomas seeks to make a real difference in the lives he serves. His organization was founded in 1996. It was established to identify ‘foundational/root’ challenges, and address transformational solutions to ensure that all people have productive lives.

In 1998, Barksdale published his first book, Its All About You: A Young Adult’s Guide to Positive Living and has made numerous appearances across the country sharing with a variety of audiences the principles he outlines in twenty short chapters. Thomas has appeared on national radio broadcasts, featured in national periodicals expounding on his writings, and is frequently sought after on the middle/high school, university/college, and corporate speaking circuit. Currently, Thomas finds himself speaking at youth ministries conferences, revivals, conventions, and services. Also, he has provided consulting services for professional athletes related to their charitable community initiatives.

Thomas has made appearances as a keynote and featured speaker for The Annual Convention of Dudley Products, National Direct Sales Association Conference, 20^th Annual NAACP National Convention, National NAACP, Phillip Morris USA, NC Drug Prevention Conference, First Tee National Golf Academy/PGA, Win-Win Resolution, National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), Charleston Housing Authority, Delta College Mentoring Program, Kansas State University, Center for Drop Out Prevention, Lincoln University, Julius Peppers Foundation, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, National Urban League/Durham, NC Teaching Fellows Conference, Safe and Drug Free Schools, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Incorporated .

The Barksdale Foundation has implemented programs, workshops and seminars in Community in Schools of NC, Dow Chemical Company, Columbia Housing Authority, Cape May School District, 21^st Century Community Learning Center in Alamance-Burlington Schools, Hoke County Schools, Vance County Schools, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, Wake County Schools, Guilford County Schools, Saginaw City Schools, and Grand Rapids community outreach center.