# @etthehiphoppreacher on Instagram

- **Type:** Video
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DeQIrnoxjEj
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/71592760-etthehiphoppreacher-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/9075665402.jpg
- **Posted:** 2026-10-08T23:40:52.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Eric Thomas (@etthehiphoppreacher) — https://gondola.cc/etthehiphoppreacher

## Caption

MY FIRST LOVE. ❤️

I’ve been blessed to experience some incredible things in my lifetime.

NFL. NBA. Corporate America. International stages. Super Bowl commercials. All-Star Weekends. New York Times bestselling author.

And I’m grateful for EVERY opportunity! 🙏🏾

BUT NONE OF IT COMPARES TO MY FIRST LOVE… OUR YOUTH!

Today, I had the privilege of pouring into the students at Flushing High School in Michigan. Freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Four different groups. Four powerful conversations.

And every single one reminded me WHY I started!

Before the stages, cameras, books, and recognition, IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE KIDS!

Helping young people understand that THEY MATTER! Their VOICE matters! Their FUTURE matters! And where they come from DOES NOT determine where they end up!

Because somebody once did that for ME.

Somebody believed in me before I believed in myself. Somebody saw greatness in me before I could see it.

NOW IT’S MY TURN!

Family, no award, check, or standing ovation can replace knowing you made a difference in a young person’s life.

I thought about my mom today. I know she’d be proud. I thought about my wife, my children, my church, and everyone who poured into me. My prayer is that my life continues to honor their investment.

And here’s my charge to YOU!

DON’T GET SO CAUGHT UP IN YOUR SUCCESS THAT YOU FORGET YOUR FIRST LOVE!

Don’t let the PLATFORM make you forget the PURPOSE!

Don’t let the APPLAUSE make you forget the ASSIGNMENT!

Success isn’t just about how far YOU go. It’s about how many people go further because YOU showed up!

To Flushing High School, the students, teachers, and administration, THANK YOU for reminding me why I do what I do!

THE STAGES GOT BIGGER, BUT THE MISSION NEVER CHANGED!

And if I had to do it all over again…

I’D STILL CHOOSE THE KIDS. EVERY SINGLE TIME! ❤️

#MyFirstLove #ETTheHipHopPreacher #FlushingHighSchool #YouthMatter #PurposeOverPlatform

## Stats

- **Views:** 20,026
- **Likes:** 287
- **Shares:** 0
- **Comments:** 6

## Tags

youthmatter, purposeoverplatform, flushinghighschool, myfirstlove, etthehiphoppreacher

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