Eric Thomas was the featured speaker at the Empowerment Network’s 17th Annual African-American Leadership Conference held at the CHI Health Center Omaha & Hilton Omaha Downtown.

Thomas is a New York Times best-selling author, educator, motivational guru and international business phenomenon.

Thomas, widely recognized as a leading voice in motivational speaking, will bring his dynamic energy and transformative insights back to Omaha, where he will inspire attendees with a message of empowerment, self-assessment and consistent execution. His proven approach to personal and professional growth has made him a trusted consultant to Fortune 500 companies, NBA and NFL teams, and educational institutions worldwide.

The AALC was designed to empower and uplift the African American community by focusing on critical components essential to personal and professional growth. This is done through expert-led sessions, networking opportunities, and targeted workshops. This conference aims to provide attendees with valuable skills and knowledge to enhance attendees’ careers, improve their health, expand their businesses, and engage more deeply in their communities.

Past conference keynote speakers have included: Earvin Magic Johnson, entrepreneur and hall of fame athlete; Teddy Riley, grammy award winning artist, Soledad O’Brien, broadcast journalist and executive producer; Dr. Randal Pinkett, speaker and media personality; and Adewale Adeyemo, president, Obama Foundation, along with prominent local Omaha business executives and community leaders.

“I was honored to be welcomed back to Omaha by the Empowerment Network as the keynote speaker for the African American Leadership Conference,” said Thomas. “This event is a powerful platform where leaders can ignite their passions, build on their strengths, and take intentional steps towards success. I plan to leave attendees feeling empowered, with actionable strategies to elevate both their personal and professional lives.”

Additional topics include: maintaining mental and physical health, powerful storytelling, world-class nonprofit management and leadership, and innovations in education and youth development.

In addition to the keynote and breakout sessions, the AALC hosts the Revive Black Business Expo, featuring local entrepreneurs and businesses, offering a platform for networking, exposure, and economic development.

The conference was supported by key sponsors and strategic partners, including:

American National Bank, Charles Lakin Foundation, CHI Health, Mutual of Omaha, My Brother’s Keeper Alliance, Nebraska Department of Economic Development, Omaha Public Power District, Revive! Omaha, and Weitz Family Foundation.

Supported by the My Brother’s Keeper Alliance (MBK Alliance), a program of The Obama Foundation, the Empowerment Network is committed to building safer environments for all residents by increasing educational and career success while reducing violent crime. These efforts are seen through programs like Omaha 360, Step Up Omaha and the AALC.

The MBK Alliance seeks to shift outcomes for boys and young men of color through strategic programming, which addresses six critical milestones, cradle to career, during a young person’s life. This work also expands the implementation of evidence-based practices and impact across the MBK Milestones in communities across the country. The MBA Alliance leads a cross-sector national call-to-action focused on creating supportive communities for boys and young men of color, ensuring they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunities.