Meet Ian Thomas-Minor

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ian Thomas-Minor. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ian below.

Ian, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by painting with purpose.
Connective Inc. is my canvas — every young mind, every story, every breakthrough adds color to the masterpiece we’re building.
Changing lives is my art.
Impact is my paintbrush.
I stay inspired by watching ideas turn into opportunity, and struggle turn into strength.
That transformation — that moment when a seed of hope becomes a forest of possibility — that’s where my creativity lives.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Ian Thomas-Minor — Coach ITM — the Co-founder of Connective Inc., a nonprofit built on the belief that impact is the highest form of art. Through Connective, we create experiential learning opportunities that merge sports, culture, and community — shaping young people not just to play the game, but to change it.

Our programs — from Battle in the Bluffs on Martha’s Vineyard to our Move the Crowd Culture Clinics and Fern Fund experiences — are designed to help youth see themselves as brands, as leaders, and as storytellers of their own journey. We don’t just teach skills; we cultivate purpose, discipline, and emotional intelligence.

What excites me most is watching transformation in real time — seeing a young person discover that their talent, when structured and nurtured, can open doors they never thought possible. That’s the magic that keeps me grounded and creative.

This year, we’re expanding our reach — launching new experiential collaborations with schools, detention centers, and brand partners nationwide, while preparing for the 15-year anniversary of Battle in the Bluffs and the premiere of our documentary film. Each chapter is a new stroke on the canvas of what impact can look like when done with heart, consistency, and intention.

At Connective, we say salute the doers — because we believe art is not just what you create, but who you become in the process.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that have shaped my journey most are resilience, emotional intelligence, and vision.

Resilience taught me how to keep building even when the blueprint changes. In this work, obstacles are constant — but so is opportunity. I learned that consistency is creativity’s twin; if you stay at it long enough, impact starts to take form.

Emotional intelligence helped me lead with empathy — understanding people, not just processes. Whether it’s a young person in crisis or a corporate partner with good intentions, the ability to listen deeply and connect authentically is what transforms moments into movement.

And vision — the art of seeing what doesn’t yet exist — is what turns dreams into directions. I’ve learned that you don’t have to have all the answers; you just need a map drawn in faith and a team willing to walk it with you.

My advice to anyone just starting out: build your foundation before you build your following. Learn to bounce back, to feel, and to see. The world rewards the consistent, the compassionate, and the courageous — and those three qualities will take you further than talent ever could.

Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?

The Great Gatsby has always been more than a story to me — it’s a mirror. It taught me that the real power isn’t in being seen, but in creating something that moves without needing credit. Gatsby’s world was fueled by longing for recognition, yet the lesson I took was the opposite: there’s freedom in anonymity when your purpose is pure.

I learned that impact doesn’t need applause. Providing the wave — the energy, the vision, the movement — without needing to stand in the spotlight is both powerful and liberating. That’s what I carry into my work with Connective Inc.

To build something that lasts, you have to be willing to disappear behind the purpose — to let the mission speak louder than your name. That’s what Gatsby reminded me: that legacy isn’t built on visibility, but on vibration. The current you create when no one’s watching — that’s the real art.

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