When he spoke out for those who couldn’t, Joshua “Zeke” Thomas started an important conversation
Joshua “Zeke” Thomas, a gay African-American DJ and music producer, found himself catapulted into the world of sexual assault advocacy after he gave an exclusive interview on ABC’s Good Morning America in April, 2017.
According to the National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC), nearly one in five women and one in 71 men have been raped in their lifetime. Based on a survey it conducted, more than 3,730,000 people were raped (including threatened, attempted, or completed) in the United States in 2018 and there was a 15 percent decrease of reported assaults, from 40 percent of cases reported to the police in 2017 to 25 percent being reported in 2018
“I want to give the voiceless a voice,” the 28-year-old said during the show, just after revealing to anchor Robin Roberts, and the world, that he had been sexually assaulted the year before.
That sentiment hasn’t changed today, three years after the ground- breaking interview.
“Most people don’t have a voice that will affect millions. I didn’t know the impact that I would have,” says Thomas from his parents’ home in Westchester, New York., where he is staying during the COVID-19 pandemic. His younger sister, Lauren is self-isolating at her own place, having tested positive for the virus.
Despite the tense global environment, Thomas is making the best of his situation, posting Instagram photos of himself and his sister growing up Detroit, Michigan. You can see Thomas daily spinning his tunes on IGTV for the world to enjoy with virtual guest appearances by friends and family, including his parents who enthusiastically join in on the dance party.
Thomas’ love of music began early on in his teens when he started playing with his cousin’s turntable-he was immediately hooked.
“I really love music for the way it makes other people happy. That’s why I wanted to be a DJ,” Thomas says.
His father, NBA Hall of Fame inductee Isiah Thomas, bought his son his first set of turntables during the 9-11 crisis to in a way to prevent him from getting caught up in the angst prevalent in America at that time.
“It was a distraction from everything that was going on,” Thomas explains. “Then and now, music is the one thing that unites us all.”
As for sports, it’s no surprise that Thomas played plenty of basketball when he was a kid, but his fondest memories are simply hanging out and having fun with his family.
“I may have considered a career in basketball, but I was never good at it,” he says laughing “My talents are more on the turntable.”
Thomas’ playfulness and resilience has served him well on his path to recovery as a sexual assault survivor. He became the first male spokesperson for the National Sexual NSVRC – he donated a portion of the proceeds from his single Dealin’ With It to the center. The song’s powerful music video, which Thomas executive produced, focuses on “overcoming trauma”.
He was also featured in an emotional PSA for the NSVRC. Thomas explains that his involvement with the NSVRC enabled him to “start the work, lead by example and be part of the change that was happening” which was months before the #MeToo movement exploded.
Zeke Thomas on ABC News
Once it broke, Thomas’ story about his sexual assault attracted a storm of media buzz, from television and magazine interviews to speaking engagements. His bravery for stepping forward and commitment to helping others did not go unnoticed- he has been featured in many publications including Billboard, Refinery 29, Teen Vogue, The Cut, and Variety.
Thomas is not one to shy away from other issues that matter. His video “BLACKNESS” stars rappers Chuck D & Jasiri X has been described by Paper Magazine to be “the civil rights anthem for the electronic dance music generation.”
Now, 31 years old, and four years after he was attacked, Thomas is able to have more clarity around his decision to go public. But he also has no regrets: “I was very angry about being sexually assaulted. I think most survivors want to scream it to anybody who will listen.”
Thomas’ family was worried at the time for what was to follow after the ABC interview. All of a sudden, he was known as the man who was raped. It was hard to accept the public had determined that identity for him. Thomas struggled, seeking therapy and the support of his family and friends.
It took strength to see past how he was labelled, but Thomas has accepted that being a sexual assault survivor doesn’t define who he is as a human, nor do other labels.
“I am not just a DJ, I am not just a business owner… I am a son, I am a brother and I am a friend,” he says.
Today, Thomas is forging ahead in his life through his career as a popular New York-based DJ, an accomplished music producer, and television host (MTV’s CATFISH). He has been an official NBA All-Star DJ and has performed on ABC, ARISE360 TV, FUSE Network, MTV, and Sirius FM. He also has performed for an impressive line up of musicians and celebrities including Diana Ross, Jay-Z Lady Gaga, Snoop Dog, Ludacris, Cher, and Michelle Obama.
Thomas feels fortunate to have had the encouragement and help he’s received along the way from more experienced DJs like Fatman Scoop who showed interest in Thomas when he was as an assistant programmer at NYC’s radio station, HOT 97.1. Thomas pays it forward by helping younger DJ’s who are trying to make it in the business.
“The only secret to my success is that I really know my music, and that comes from the many different types of people that I’ve had the opportunity to meet in my life and travels,” he says.
In between his speaking engagements and DJ gigs, Thomas continues his work of supporting survivors of sexual assault and has been recognized for his dedication: He was a nominated for a GLAAD media award– an initiative that “fosters acceptance for the LGGTQ community”; he’s received the Ruth Ellis Center’s Youth Impact award, and has been given the Community Hero Award by NYC Pride.
Nowadays, Thomas finds satisfaction not only focusing on his DJ career but also his new business ventures- Thomas is chief marketing officer and partner at Isiah International LLC-a holding company founded by his father that boasts a diverse portfolio from Cheurlin champagne (official champagne of the NBAPA, Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Sun) to VESL oils (which produces CBD -based products).
“What I love most about marketing is that I’m able to bring my creativity into the visuals of the brands we have,” he says.
Thomas has reached what he sees as a healthy place in his life through therapy, taking care of his body through proper nutrition, and using CBD products, which are commonly used for anxiety relief and their anti-inflammatory properties.
“These three things have made me a healthier person.” he says, “What I want to do now with my influence is help to make people healthy in mind, body and soul.”
Thomas remains dedicated to continuing the conversation around sexual assault for both men and women.
“I am now speaking to a younger generation than myself that recognize what is and are learning to call it out.”
This article by Rena Godfrey appeared in the Summer 2020 issue of Lifestyles Magazine.
Top photo by Evan Agostini/AP Images