On March 26, Isaiah Thomas, a Philadelphia-based activist and Twitch streamer, posted a clip on Instagram that left many online viewers thinking he had lost his mind.
Thomas, who goes by HMBL Zay online—a shorthand for “Humble”—told his followers at the time that he planned to trek roughly 3,000 miles from Philadelphia to California.
His aim was to raise funds to support young people by establishing a trade school in Philadelphia.
Thomas livestreamed the entire journey on his Twitch channel, and initially anticipated needing about six months to cross the country.
Despite a string of setbacks—including being struck by cars on two occasions and facing police stops multiple times—the streamer still reached California in roughly four months, on the 124th day of what he called a “Faith Walk.”
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“What they gonna say now?” Thomas exclaimed after crossing the California state line. “What they gonna say now?”
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Danielle Brooks
I am a staff writer at New York Beacon, where I focus on culture, entrepreneurship, and the emerging voices redefining Black America. My work highlights innovators, artists, and founders whose stories often unfold beyond mainstream headlines but shape communities in meaningful ways. Through precise reporting and thoughtful storytelling, I aim to document progress, challenge narratives, and contribute to a stronger Black press tradition.