Part three of the series People Who Make A Difference: The idea of this series is to find people that choose to make a difference where they are at. At the heart of this series lies the truth that everyone, no matter who they are or where they come from, can make a difference. Heroes are not always who we think they are. More often than not, heroes are simply average every day people who just believe the world does not have to be the way it is.

Matthew Thomas is a senior at Old Dominion University majoring in Human Services and minoring in Psychology. He describes himself as: “an organizer and an activist for equality and equity.” He is involved in numerous organizations on campus. He is the president for a student organization at ODU called Success without Limitations that: “promotes empowering programs, bonding for students, and service to the community.” He is also the Public Relations chair for the ODU chapter of NAACP. He describes his passions as music, food, and uplifting my people.In regards to his career aspirations, although he is not quite sure at the moment, his aspirations for his future include going into social work, hosting diversity training, and to one day go to law school and become a Civil Rights Attorney.

1) In recent weeks, you have been very outspoken through hosting events, social media, and promoting peaceful protests. You have been particularly vocal about police brutality and violence in general. What made you want to take a leading role in organizing many of these events and initiatives?

" I have been very vocal and active for the past two years on these issues. More notice has come in the recent weeks due to the videos of the killings of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile. What made me take a leading role two years ago is that I can relate to many of the victims such as: Trayvon Martin, Tamir Rice, and more. I know that any given time that I can become a hashtag so I want to be a part of the effort to make a better country for my future children."

2) Last week was a busy week for you, you helped put on the Candle Light Vigil at ODU and held another gathering for the local community entitled: A Call To Action. Could you explain what the goal of both of these events were? How did people receive them?

"Very busy! But the candlelight vigil was to bring people together to mourn but also embrace each other after the tragic videos that have been released the past few days. Police brutality is traumatizing to bystanders as well and this has been going on for centuries so I wanted to give people a platform to grieve, express, and not feel alone. The Call to Action meeting(s) are to bring people together that are dedicated to making change in their communities. We come together to plan how we can do so in these meetings. Both the vigil and meeting had great turnout, about 100+ at both and I’ve heard fairly good feedback as well."

"I know that any given time that I can become a hashtag so I want to be apart of the effort to make a better country for my future children."

3) In your personal opinion, what actions need to be taken to build trust between Police and the communities they are over?

"There is fairly no trust between black communities and the police. It has been this way for centuries, so I don’t think there is one thing that will solve that issue, but I do believe it should be required of police to go out to the communities they serve and get to know the people as people, not possible criminals like we are viewed now. It shouldn’t take the community to reach out to the police, the police should reach out to us. They need to help build up our trust for them by getting to know us and treating us with respect and dignity."

4) It is no secret that race relations have not been the greatest lately, what gives you the hope and motivation to keep going? For many, it seems like nothing can be done. Or better yet, they see themselves as not being able to make any difference.

" Race relations have never been good in America since the time the first slaves landed here. Progress has certainly come, but there’s A LOT more work to be done. What gives me hope is the successes of civil rights activists who led the way. I look at what has been accomplished so far and view it as what we’re pushing for now is obtainable. They had doubts then, we do too, but with dedication things can be accomplished. My niece gives me hope as well. The innocents, care free attitude as a child gives me hope because I know racism is taught and children, if guided the right way, are the future for the fight against racism."

5) Who are your biggest influences when it comes to social justice?

"Some of my biggest influences are Marcus Garvey, Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali."

6) If you could say one thing to White individuals in America who are not sure what to do or how to be an ally, what would you tell them?

"I would suggest them going to a meeting, a rally, a protest, a vigil held by black people so they can hear the pain and suffering. So they can see that we are human just like them. We breathe, eat, and sleep just like you. Our cry is not an exaggeration. Listen to us and use your white privilege to push against racism and white supremacy in our country."

"My niece gives me hope as well. The innocents, care free attitude as a child gives me hope because I know racism is taught and children, if guided the right way, are the future for the fight against racism."

7) Is there anything else that you'd like to say?

" #BlackLivesMatter."

The next Call to Action Meeting will be held at Old Dominion University Webb Center in the Hampton Newport News Room on July 19th at 7:00PM.

If you wish to contact Matthew Thomas for more information, or if you just have questions, you can reach him at mthom112@odu.edu. You can also follow him on Twitter at Five_OnMyBack