John Thomas is the visionary founder of the 411 Brand Foundation, where he has combined his love of sports, deep commitment to community, and over 30 years of experience in youth development to create purpose-driven programs that empower young people across the country.A native of Buffalo, New York, John was a standout All-New York State basketball player who earned a full scholarship to Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama. There, he earned aB.A. in Mass Communication & Journalism before being invited to participate in the NBA Summer League. Though he once dreamed of a professional basketball career, John chose a different path—one focused on inspiring and equipping the next generation.

In 1993, John relocated to Atlanta, where a chance encounter at V-103 radio station led to a role as Promotions Coordinator and the launch of the 411 Knowledge & Entertainment Show—a talk show that brought cultural influencers face-to-face with young audiences. With national partners like Sprite and Magic Johnson Theaters, John produced over 50 shows across the country.John has held several leadership positions in youth programming, including Director of Programs at Carver Community Center in Schenectady, NY, East Cobb YMCA in Marietta and George Washington Carver Boys & Girls Club in Atlanta, where he managed programming for over 200 youth daily.

In 2014, John founded the 411 Brand Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to delivering culturally relevant programs in education, entertainment, and athletics. Signature initiatives include the 411 Music Academy, Film & Drone Academy, 411 SportsAcademy, and the 411 Private Run—an invite-only basketball experience for Atlanta’s tastemakers and creatives. In 2022, John launched 411 Brand Saturday School in Atlanta, a groundbreaking initiative that integrates all 411 Brand programs into a semester-based model for middle and high school students. Participants choose two focus areas each semester, ranging from creative media to entrepreneurship, with a long-term vision to expand globally and foster international collaboration through youth programming.John is a devoted husband and proud father of four. He enjoys reading, traveling, and staying active through basketball, golf, and daily workouts.