Manager and creative strategist Tré Thomas has launched 30FirstDay, a full-service, multi-functional management firm grounded in cultural fluency, strategic growth, and long-term ownership. After more than ten years of working across entertainment, media, and fashion, guiding clients at every stage of their careers, Thomas is stepping into a new chapter. As a proud alum of Southern University and Texas Southern University, he developed a strong academic foundation and cultivated the skills that would support his career in entertainment.
The firm launches with a strong and diverse roster. Actress and entrepreneur Lori Harvey, actor Moritz J. Williams, and DJ and actor Jae Murphy are exclusively represented by 30FirstDay. Thomas also serves as brand manager to multi-award-winning actress and singer Ryan Destiny and actor Melvin Gregg, leading brand partnerships and strategic positioning, while consulting with global recording artist Tyga across partnerships and business ventures.
Collectively, the portfolio reflects Thomas’ expansive reach across entertainment, fashion, music, and culture. This demonstrates his ability to drive high-impact opportunities and build talent into multi-dimensional brands on a global scale.
With an understanding of how talent, networks, and brands intersect, Thomas has built a reputation for securing impactful opportunities and structuring deals that extend beyond the moment.
30FirstDay is rooted in that same ethos: a modern management firm that centers culture as a driving force, not a trend, while prioritizing access, ownership, and intentional growth for the clients it represents. At its core, the firm reflects a new model of management, one that recognizes the value of perspective, the power of relationships, and the importance of building from the inside out.
Thomas made a conscious decision to build what he knew was missing. Betting on himself, he is creating infrastructure, opening doors, and generating opportunities not just for his clients, but for a broader ecosystem of talent.
To celebrate the launch, Thomas sat down with his longtime client and friend, Lori Harvey, for an exclusive interview. Read their conversation below:
Lori Harvey: So, Tré, I’ve known you for 7 years now, and you are notorious for keeping everything to yourself, but are you nervous about this?
Tré Thomas: Lol. Nervous no, excited yes!
LH: Why now? What made you say this is the time to start a management firm?
TT: Honestly, it’s year 10! 10 signifies wholeness and value. Literally, it’s been 10 years since I stepped out on faith and have been working in the talent management world. From earlier years of working as an assistant, to Chief of Staff, to becoming an executive, just to end up transitioning to being a liaison between personal and business for direct talent, it’s been an enlightening experience. Some hard times, but definitely worth it. Also, I had a long talk with GOD and he spoke back. A lot fell on my heart and tested my faith. I get so many people who ask me to manage them, but mentally, I wasn’t prepared for that amount of responsibility or expectations in those seasons. Yeah, I have my current clients and some on-and-off opportunities here and there, but I did not want to overload myself with too many. But GOD! HE LEGIT WOKE ME UP, and WHEN I SAY IT WAS A WAKE UP!
LH: Hard times? Any with me? lol
TT: Lmao whewww j/k. Maybe I meant the challenging times that come with these types of roles. You literally give up your life in the aspect of missing out on things that are important to you because the immediate needs of your clients come first. It’s non-stop work, and we all know once y’all find that person, it’s over! Lol but you and I have a pretty good system. Sort of an unspoken rule: If I’m not near you, I just pick up the phone, and you’ll be ok. Lol I remember answering at a funeral before when you called, and I was like, “Yeah, I’m tripping.” lol
LH: Answering at a funeral is actually crazy, and don’t ever do that again, please! But it does show how much you care about the people you manage, and I love that for you and us lol. You said GOD woke you up? How?
TT: Well, first, he revealed who is here for me! You know I am very strong in many ways. Mentally, physically, and spiritually. But we all have our moments where we can fall off track. On the personal side, I found myself in a not-so-good situation that was unfortunately affecting the way I was as a person, which ultimately messed with my workflow. Then, business-wise, I had to deal with the challenges of being a Black male talent manager. You have supporters, but you also have doubters, most of them being your peers, who project their fear of you winning, which can make you feel insecure and make them move treacherously, and for someone like me who loves to see everyone win and walk in their purpose, those types of people are weird to me. But then GOD replayed conversations to remind me, “Naw, Tré, you’re really him.” I did not move up the success ladder and get all these degrees to ever be intimidated. Those replayed words of inspiration and encouragement were from people like Phylicia Fant, Rev. Al Sharpton, Valeisha Butterfield, Yasmine Pearl, Bryan Smiley, Erica Tucker, Kevin Hart, Lou Taylor, LaToya Marc, Yvette Noel-Schure, Corey Stokes, Felicia Joseph, Leah Daniels, Will Packer, your dad Steve Harvey, just to name a few iconic voices in entertainment who have all had very impactful words to say to me whether it was via text, call, or in-person. I don’t think any of them truly understand how important their words are to me. I am eternally grateful for them and everyone else.
LH:I love that! Random, who is your favorite talent manager?
TT: You know what, honestly, I don’t think I have a favorite talent manager. I have a few people who motivate me to join the ranks of the best. Two people actually stand out for sure, though. I legit love Shayla Cowan! She probably doesn’t remember this, but we met years ago when I was working at Paramount. If you know Shayla, then you know she is tough, but I respect it because we don’t play behind our clients at all! Will Packer was coming to the lot for a meeting, and let’s just say she was adamant about everything being prepared for his arrival. Respectfully adamant though lol, but to speed up to the present, she is just where she belongs. A leading talent manager who is equally as supportive of me as I am of her. And Lydia Asrat, that’s my big dawg! I love that we respect each other. A lot of the people she manages are friends with you and Ryan Destiny, so we have had to work together a few times, and it feels good to move with someone who just gets it and operates with no ego!
LH: Do you have a dream client?
TT: Lori Harvey! Lol, other than you, I’ve been saying this for a while, but I would love to join Kelly Rowland’s team. Tim Spoon, who is legit killing with all he is doing with her, so it would be an honor to join him and the rest of the team as another asset. I have some really cool ideas! Also, Asap Rocky, Victoria Beckham, Ryan Coogler, Sandra Bullock, lol, and the list goes on!
LH: What makes you a good manager?
TT: I care! I do not know any other way to put it than that. I cannot work with anyone whom I don’t believe in, can’t trust, or simply do not want to be around. Believing in someone means you care for them and you trust them and, on some level, have to like them as a person lol. The movie Jerry Maguire, with Tom Cruise, reminded me of that. Clients become your family! It’s a partnership. You win, I win, but it’s key that we do this together! And I am collaborative with no ego! It takes a driving force to lead talent or a brand to reach their highest potential, and part of leading is surrounding yourself with other leaders! Work together! That’s one of the main reasons I have said no to offers from other notable agencies and management companies who have poached me! Morals and ethics are important to me, not signing a client just for the clout!
LH: Period. Ok, so the launch date is March 31st, 2026, right? Because this promo!
TT: Lol, yes, March 31st, 2026
LH: How did you come up with the firm name?
TT: Honestly, it was from GOD. He put me in solitude for 31 days and a fast. I prayed, I cried, I spoke to no one, I was legit silent for 31 days because I needed guidance. I had to be obedient to hear him. Then it was revealed to me on the last day of the fast. The scripture was John 7:31: “And many of the people believed in him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?” We are of Christ and should move like him. I am in no way perfect because only Christ is, but I am genuine, and my heart is pure, and I had to believe that for myself. The words Surrender and Accept were spoken to me, and once I did that, I stepped right back into takeover mode. Basically, GOD said in so many words, “Pop out then, youngblood,” so it’s me! lol
LH: That’s amazing, Tre! I am really proud of you. I say this to you all the time, but thank you for all that you do. I guess I can share you with more people (rolls eyes) lol. So, to sum it up, I know you already work with a few people, so anything you’re excited about with them, and to those future clients I know you are about to represent, what should they know about the firm?
TT: First, I am excited for us! People know Lori Harvey, but they have no idea how these blessings and billions are about to hit. Lol, I’m legit excited to share all the things, Lori Harvey. The actor, model, creative director, entrepreneur! We have so much coming up, and this Paris Lori is a different level! Other than that, I’m, of course, continuing to work on partnership opportunities with Ryan (actor Ryan Destiny) and shoutout to Dawn Irons and Ryan for trusting me and bringing me on board, love my family. About to start gearing back up to work with my brother TYGA on a few items. Ritz (actor Moritz J. Williams) and I have some announcements soon as well, outside of the anticipation of his P-Valley premiere. But you know what, I just started working with actor Melvin Gregg, on the partnership/opportunities side, and I have a really good feeling we’re about to shake it up. He is a creative genius! I have a few more clients that I am excited to announce post-launch day.
As for my future new clients, no, my future family, I would say to them, I don’t just manage talent, I protect people and guide their growth. The success follows because true management isn’t transactional, it’s relational. I serve the person, not just the brand, because a great talent manager builds careers, but an exceptional one builds people first and careers second! So, I am looking forward to meeting you and being an asset to you. My team of managers, legal, creatives, and I anticipate what your needs will be, but more so, we would love to be an additional extension of you. We are a full-service talent and brand management firm leading with client value, integrity, strategy, and execution.
Photo Credit: Orin F.
