Empowering people to overcome obstacles and walk in their unique purpose, is the real life message shared by Dr. Eddie Connor, who is a survivor of stage 4 cancer. Dr. Eddie is an empowerment speaker, college professor, and founder of The Eagles Academy which empowers you to soar into success and purpose. He also served as the President of the National Entrepreneurs Association of Michigan.
As an author of 14 best-selling books, Dr. Eddie is the founder of the mentoring program Boys 2 Books which empowers young males via literacy, leadership, and life skills enrichment. As an aide to former U.S. Congressman Hansen Clarke, Dr. Connor assisted in crafting a bipartisan resolution to address the urgent crisis of illiteracy in America affecting black and Hispanic males. The resolution became the impetus for President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.
Dr. Eddie is a recipient of The President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award and The President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award from The White House. He is recognized as one of the Top 35 Millennial Influencers in America, listed in the Top 100 Leaders in Who’s Who in Black Detroit, named to Michigan Chronicle’s Top 40 Under 40, and Author of the Year by Kingdom Image Awards.
Dr. Eddie has been featured on ABC, BET, CBS, Ebony, FOX, Jet, Lifetime TV, NBC, PBS, The Steve Harvey TV Show, The Tom Joyner Show, The Huffington Post, Mentoring Kings, and USA Today. He has been a guest on The Potter’s Touch and was an empowerment speaker at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest. He was featured in the acclaimed BET documentary, It Takes a Village to Raise Detroit. He also stars in the movie, Lady Luck 2.
As a highly sought after communicator, Dr. Eddie speaks extensively at churches, colleges, and conferences by empowering people to maximize their purpose. Our Black Men Magazine obtained an exclusive interview with Dr. Eddie Connor.
Hi Dr. Eddie, we salute everything you do and have done throughout your career on the mission to empower others. What impact did you set out to make when you first launched Boys 2 Books?
Dr. Eddie: My vision in launching Boys 2 Books was solely to connect our young brothers to their identity through the lens of literacy. The blueprint of Boys 2 Books is built upon the idea, “If we build strong boys then we won’t have to repair broken men.” I believe that every mentoring program must have a literacy component. If our brothers can’t read then their path to succeed is blockaded.
According to Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu there is a conspiracy to destroy black boys. Many prisons are built based on low-level second and third grade reading scores. We can disrupt the pre-school-to-prison pipeline by using books/literacy development as a lifeline. I’m so glad that my mentoring program engages our young men via literacy, leadership, and life skills enrichment. The success of our program has been predicated on our mentees graduating from college, building businesses, adopting skilled trade careers, and becoming mentors themselves.
Congratulations on being the author of 14 best-selling books! What is the overall message you try to send as a literary powerhouse?
Dr. Eddie: Thank you! The overall message I try to convey is that you can overcome obstacles. My books are an infusion of self-reflection, reconciliation, and restoration. In the words of Langston Hughes, “Life for me ain’t been no crystal stair.” As a survivor of stage four cancer, people gave up on me and I almost gave up on myself. Through the power of my praying mother and faith in God, I transformed a setback into a great comeback. My test became a testimony. I decided to share what I’ve been through it and how I overcame it. I am blessed to empower people across the world through my books and provide breakthroughs as I write on topics about relationships, race, religion, and restoring hope.
Happy Black History Month! What does this month mean to you and how do you celebrate it?
Dr. Eddie: Black History Month provides a panoramic perspective to reflect on the past and forge ahead into our future. Our resounding Negro National Anthem “Lift Every Voice” affirms “We have come over a way that with tears have been watered. We have come treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered.” Undoubtedly, we can see a lot farther because we stand on the shoulders of giants who served and sacrificed. The way I celebrate Black History Month goes beyond mere words but is expressed in diligent deeds by bringing effectual change as I mentor, teach, and roll up my sleeves to remain active in my community. Dr. Carter G. Woodson the founder of Black History Month declared, “Inspire people to live more abundantly, to learn to begin with life as they find it and make it better.” I am on a daily mission to do just that by amplifying our rich history and creating a purposeful legacy.
We celebrate your remarkable achievements as a recipient of The President Barack Obama Volunteer Service Award and The President Barack Obama Lifetime Achievement Award from The White House. What are some other memorable moments in your career that you’re extremely proud of?
Dr. Eddie: I’m humbled and honored to be the recipient of these aforementioned awards. A few crowning jewels of my career is being invited to be an empowerment speaker at Bishop T.D. Jakes’ MegaFest conference and as a guest on the Steve Harvey TV show. Also, as an aide to former U.S. Congressman Hansen Clarke, I assisted in crafting a bipartisan resolution (H.Res.721–112th Congress) to address the urgent crisis of illiteracy in America affecting black and Hispanic males. The resolution became the impetus for President Barack Obama’s My Brother’s Keeper Initiative.
What are you currently working on and what can we be on the lookout for from you in 2023?
Dr. Eddie: I’m currently working on a new book and a book tour with my team. It will also include me speaking at churches, colleges, conferences, and schools.
What else would you like our readers to know about you and the work that you do?
Dr. Eddie: I grew up in Kingston, Jamaica which was one of the best experiences of my life. The global perspective I gained to see people from all walks of life has challenged me to think big, provide massive value, and make an impact.
Much of that impact is reflected in my online Eagles Academy where we empower men and women to soar into success and purpose. I help people who desire growth in their purpose, relationships, and business go from not enough to more than enough so that they can turn their ideas into income, contacts into contracts and purpose into profit as change agents in their community.
If you want to experience healing and wholeness, discover how to walk in your purpose, gain confidence, and experience transformation, then my academy is tailor-made for you. Our online digital space serves to curate a community connection that fosters empowerment through our masterclasses, workshops, and training sessions at
What is a quote that you live by?
Dr. Eddie: A quote that I live by is “Service is the rent we pay for the space we occupy.” Life is about more than increasing your income. It’s about increasing your impact by being a positive person of influence. My passion is to propel people into their purpose and give back to help others move forward. The power of servant leadership is a quintessential aspect to living a quality life.
What would you like to see for people of color this year?
Dr. Eddie: I would like to see the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act bill passed. I’m tired of seeing our brothers and sisters die at the hands of police officers who are sworn to protect and serve. Where was the protection and service for George Floyd, Eric Garner, Breonna Taylor, and most recently Tyre Nichols? There is a clarion call for accountability. If we believe that Black lives matter then we have to hold white officers and yes even police who look like us to a higher standard. We are at a critical crossroads in our nation and violence of any kind can never be normalized.
How can we keep up to date on social media?
Dr. Eddie: You can connect with me on social media @EddieConnorJr on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Also, join my amazing Eagles Academy where I teach you how to increase your income, impact, ideas, and influence by registering at www.TheEaglesAcademy.com
