A Philadelphia community activist completed a cross-country faith walk from Philadelphia to California, a journey he hoped would inspire others while raising money to build a trade school for at-risk youth.
Isaiah Thomas, better known as “HMBL Zayy” began the walk on March 26 and finished July 27, logging 3,000 miles.
In a celebratory Instagram post marking the end of the journey, Thomas wrote, “God did!”
Thomas livestreamed nearly every step on Twitch as he worked to raise $200,000 to establish HMBL University, which will offer trade-based programs for high school graduates in Philadelphia who may not have the resources or desire to attend college.
“What started out as the impossible in March became reality,” Thomas told NBC10.
Thomas said he stayed focused despite the physical demands of walking more than 30 miles a day.
On a journey to help kids in Philadelphia, a community activist is near the end of his faith walk from Pennsylvania to California. Through all the ups and downs, Isaiah Thomas, better known as “HMBL Zay,” hopes his journey inspires others. NBC10’S Aaron Baskerville caught up with him as he made his way through Arizona.
The Nicetown clothing designer and community activist said the walk tested him in unexpected ways. During the journey, he was hit by a car and hospitalized, but he decided to continue after recovering.
“It’s something that’s crazy to do,” Thomas said. “I just understood the vision behind it, even when I got hit by the car, and a lot of people were telling me to stop for my own safety.”
Thomas said the mission has always been about creating opportunities for young people.
A content creator is recovering after being hit by a car while on a cross-country faith walk. NBC10’s Sharia Arias caught up with him to talk about his message and why he’s not stopping his mission despite the crash.
If you would like to support Thomas’s mission, head to www.gofundme.com/f/help-launch-hmbl-summer-camp-for-teens to donate to his GoFundMe page.