038 Les Thomas YOUTUBE 2160p

Les Thomas Sr., Oklahoma State's Hype Man of Hope, shares the life behind his public joy and his work mentoring Oklahoma City youth. His story moves from anger without a blueprint to fatherhood, service, afterschool advocacy, and a commitment to see potential before problems. Les is the Executive Director of Community Engagement at Urban Bridge, an Oklahoma Air National Guard veteran, an OSU game-day voice, and a 2026 Afterschool Ambassador. He talks candidly about growing up without an active father, learning emotional regulation, the people who saw more in him, and why every platform should be measured by its impact on others. The conversation also turns toward Northeast Oklahoma City, the Bridge Impact Center, juvenile justice, afterschool access, and the responsibility all of us share for the next generation. *Content note:* This conversation includes non-graphic discussion of neighborhood violence, juvenile court involvement, incarceration, depression, anxiety, and absent fathers. What you'll hear: The hidden cost behind Les's public joy How fatherhood and military service changed his direction Why mentors must focus on potential before problems How Urban Bridge and afterschool programs create opportunity What Oklahoma City owes its next generation Chapters: 00:00 Meet Les Thomas Sr. 03:21 The cost behind the Hype Man of Hope 07:44 Where Les's anger began 13:38 Choosing fatherhood and the military 17:11 Military life, pressure, and leadership 24:32 Why Les keeps showing up 29:19 Urban Bridge and youth opportunity 36:40 Advocating for afterschool programs 39:32 Becoming Oklahoma State's hype man 54:45 Where Hope Culture began 1:02:43 What Les hopes for Oklahoma City's youth 1:08:11 Closing: We can win together Connect with Les and the organizations mentioned: Les Thomas Sr.: https://www.lesthomassr.com/ Les on LinkedIn:   / les-thomas-sr-hype-man-of-hope-400a70a6   Urban Bridge: https://www.urbanbridge.org/ Hope Culture Leadership: https://www.urbanbridge.org/hope-culture Afterschool Alliance — Oklahoma: https://afterschoolalliance.org/polic... Oklahoma State Athletics feature: https://okstate.com/news/2017/8/27/ge... Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma: https://www.regionalfoodbank.org/ RIVERSPORT: https://www.riversportokc.org/ Hope Culture clothing line: No current store or URL was stated in the conversation. Heroes In Waiting: https://heroesinwaiting.org/assemblies/ “Will and Cubis” podcast: `[Name/spelling and link needed]` Watch and listen: https://www.voicesofokc.com/watch-lis... More episodes: https://www.voicesofokc.com/episodes YouTube:    / @voicesofokc   Instagram:   / voicesofokc   Podbean: https://voicesofokc.podbean.com/ Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3nUpFLO... City Center: https://okcitycenter.org/ Subscribe for more conversations with the people helping us see Oklahoma City more clearly. Share this episode with someone who is investing in the next generation. VOICES of OKC is a conversation platform from City Center. Through long-form interviews with local leaders, builders, artists, advocates, and neighbors, the show explores the stories shaping Oklahoma City through service, creativity, courage, restoration, and hope. City Center champions youth and families in under-resourced communities by creating empowered pathways to relief and restoration.