TOPEKA, Kan. — Stop scrolling, Topeka family.
You’re going to be seeing those words a lot more around here.
This Is Topeka is proud to welcome Dr. Michael Thomas as our newest community contributor and the voice behind a new recurring series, History and Hope in the 785.
And if there is one thing we want this series to have, it is a voice of its own.
Dr. Thomas is a lifelong member of the Topeka community who writes with passion, faith and an unmistakable sense of hope for the city he calls home. His writing isn’t simply about where Topeka is today. It’s about remembering where we’ve been, recognizing the people who helped get us here and asking what kind of community we want to build next.
That idea is captured in the words behind his new series:
Remember the past. Live with purpose. Build a better future.
History. Hope. Victory.
History and Hope in the 785 will explore the people, places and stories that have shaped Topeka—particularly stories that deserve to be remembered and sometimes haven’t received the attention they deserve.
But this isn’t intended to be a history lesson.
History is the starting point.
Dr. Thomas will use those stories to talk about life in Topeka right now: our neighborhoods, families, churches, young people, struggles, successes and the people quietly doing good work throughout our community.
Some columns may take readers into Topeka’s past. Others may introduce you to someone living here today. Some will be deeply personal. Faith will naturally be part of the conversation. And sometimes the message may simply be something our community needs to hear.
The common thread will be hope.
From Victim to Victor
Dr. Thomas holds a Doctorate in Theology from Faith Bible College, a Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, degrees in Biblical Studies from Western Bible College and an associate degree in business and finance from Coffeyville Community College.
His education is part of his story, but his mission tells you considerably more about why we’re excited to have him writing for This Is Topeka:
“To help people move from Victim to Victor.”
That’s also why this partnership makes sense.
There are plenty of places to find bad news.
There are considerably fewer places dedicated to remembering that a community is also made up of people who get back up, help their neighbors, raise families, mentor kids, build businesses, serve others and refuse to give up on the place they call home.
Those stories deserve space, too.
A Topeka Voice
We don’t want Dr. Thomas to sound like a traditional newspaper columnist.
We want him to sound like Michael Thomas.
When he says, “Stop scrolling, Topeka family,” you’ll know what’s coming.
It might be a story you’ve never heard.
It might be a piece of Topeka history you’ve driven past a hundred times without knowing.
It might be an introduction to somebody doing remarkable work without much recognition.
Or it might be a message about faith, purpose, responsibility, perseverance and what it means to be part of this community.
Whatever the subject, History and Hope in the 785 will be unmistakably local and unmistakably his.
At This Is Topeka, we’re fortunate to have him.
So, Dr. Thomas, welcome to the family.
And Topeka?
Stop scrolling.
We’ve got some stories to tell.
History and Hope in the 785
with Dr. Michael Thomas
Remember the past. Live with purpose. Build a better future.
