Lewis Thomas III, Ed.D., is a scholar-practitioner committed to promoting educational equity and community transformation. With over two decades of experience, he has worked with students and families in Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., and Brooklyn as a teacher, school leader, and systems-level organizer. As a school leader at some of the lowest-performing schools, he contributed to the design of data-informed, culturally responsive, and restorative practices that improved school climate, boosted student morale, and accelerated learning. He subsequently led schools in Philadelphia and Brooklyn, developing service-learning pathways and mentoring emerging educators to maintain high expectations and a sense of belonging.

Rooted in North Philadelphia and shaped by extensive travel, Thomas brings a global perspective to local challenges—organizing coalitions to address gun violence, expand educational opportunity, and advance community well-being in working-class neighborhoods. In 2020, he founded the Black Fathers Institute, a research-to-practice hub that amplifies the voices of Black fathers and advances radical hope and healing for families.

Thomas’s research examines the influence of Black father involvement on student outcomes; culturally responsive school leadership; leadership “bridging” across urban, suburban, and higher-education contexts; and linguistic fluidity in Black and Brown student voice and learning. Across roles, he champions schools as engines of dignity, achievement, and collective flourishing.

Education

Ed.D., Educational Leadership & Innovation, Purdue University

M.A., Educational Administration & Transformative Learning Communities, Antioch University

B.S., History, English, & Secondary Education, Lincoln University of PA

Publications

Thomas III, L. (2026). From the Ashes: The Fire This Time. Austin-McCauley Publishing.

Thomas III, L. & Nyberg, J. (2026). Integrating, valuing, and empowering Black student voices: The linguistic validity framework. Race & Pedagogy.

Thomas, L., III. (2026). Witness, warmth, and high expectations: A conceptual framework for Black male teacher impact. Midwest Journal of Education, 3(2), 81-90.

Luvmour, B., Luvmour, J., & Thomas III, L. (2023). African wisdom, self-reflective collectivism, and natural learning relationships: Toward radical healing. Journal of Haitian Studies. Kalfou: A Journal of Comparative & Ethnic Studies.

Baptiste-Jean, C. & Thomas III, L. (2019). Black from scratch. Written in the Spirit LLC.

Presentations

Thomas III, L. (2025, September 3). Unlocking deeper learning: Riding the waves of innovation toward inclusive learning [Keynote address]. E-Textbook, Ed-Tech, and Accessibility Training for Online Teaching & Learning, University of the Bahamas, Nassau, Bahamas.

Thomas III, L. (2026, February 6-7). Pedagogies of ase’: Power, purpose, and practice in Black learning & leadership [Conference Presenter]. The Blackprint 20 Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Thomas III, L. (2026, March 27-29). Beyond diversity content: A cross-sector framework for decolonial, culturally responsive, inclusive leadership pedagogy [Conference Presenter]. 10th World Conference on the Future of Education, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

Carlo, S., Thomas III, L., George, W. (2026, March 27-29). Beyond the syllabus: Mapping transformative learning for inclusive leadership preparation[Conference Presenter]. 10th World Conference on the Future of Education, Oxford University, Oxford, UK.

Thomas III, L. (2026, April 8-12). From resistance to restoration: Advancing culturally responsive school leadership toward collective liberation and transformative movement [Conference Presenter]. 2026 AERA Annual Meeting, Los Angeles, CA.