198: The Grief of This Black Man with Dr. James JC Cooley

by | Jun 28, 2023 | Podcast | 0 comments

Change It Up Radio with Paula Shaw - Episode 198: The Grief of This Black Man with Dr. James JC Cooley - https://www.cooleyfoundation.org/

Today, we are talking about the complex narrative of being a Black man in America, exploring the enduring impact of historical racial injustices, and the transformative power of education, forgiveness, and self-expression in healing and personal growth.

Today, I am joined by Dr. James JC Cooley, who is a dedicated business owner, motivational speaker, author, CEO and President of The It’s Your Life Media Television, and community activist whose primary focus is on our Youth development. In this episode, we’re discussing the profound journey of a Black man navigating America’s racial landscape, the deep-seated grief from historical racial trauma, and the potential of forgiveness, understanding, and community engagement in fostering a more inclusive future.

Our conversation primarily revolves around Dr. Cooley’s life experiences and his efforts to create change in his community. He shares the adversities he faced growing up as a Black man in the deep South during the Civil Rights Movement, and his family’s history tracing back to slavery.

Dr. Cooley details the racial profiling, discrimination, and racism he faced, explaining how these experiences led to his work in community activism and development. He emphasizes the importance of education, mentorship, and positive influence for the youth, elaborating on his foundation’s work in providing options and opportunities for disadvantaged young people.

Dr. Cooley also discusses his new book titled, “A Black Man’s Point of View, Mind, Body, and Soul,” which provides an in-depth understanding of the experiences and perspectives of Black men in America. His book emphasizes forgiveness, understanding, and moving forward through historical pain and injustices.

Some key topic points covered in this episode include:

  • Dr. Cooley’s journey growing up as a Black man in the South during the Civil Rights Movement
  • The history and impact of slavery on African Americans, with a focus on Juneteenth, the commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States
  • Understanding and tackling racial profiling, discrimination, and systemic racism
  • The launch of Dr. Cooley’s new book, “A Black Man’s Point of View, Mind, Body, and Soul,” providing a deep dive into the experiences of black men
  • The role of forgiveness, love, and understanding in overcoming historical pain and injustices
  • The importance of education, mentorship, and providing opportunities for disadvantaged youths
  • Insights into the work of the JC Cooley Foundation Options & Opportunities / The Choice Program in community development and youth upliftment

About Dr. James JC Cooley:

Dr. James Cooley is the recipient of The T.I.U.A School of Business Chairman Award in recognition of his exemplary leadership, unwavering commitment, transformative vision, understanding, focus, and inspiring guidance to all that you have God-given purpose and that you can achieve anything that you dream if you want to. 

He is also the recipient of The 44th (President Obama) Presidential Legacy Lifetime Achievement Award (2023), the 46th (President Biden) Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award (2022), and holds a Doctorate of Philosophy Degree from Trinity International University Ambassadors (T.I.U.A School of Business and part of the United Nations). Dr. Cooley is a motivational speaker and a retired Navy Officer (23 years) born in Chattanooga, Tennessee. 

Dr. Cooley is a husband, father, dedicated business owner, motivational speaker, author, and community activist whose primary focus is on our Youth development. He has been the featured guest speaker for several major companies, the U.S. military, various Rotary Clubs, churches, Boys and Girls Clubs, several high schools as well as middle schools and local community events. He is the President & CEO of JC Cooley Innovation Solutions, LLC, and The JC Cooley Foundation Options & Opportunities / The Choice Program. 

Dr. Cooley is the CEO and President of The It’s Your Life Media Television which is under the e360tv network. He is also the CEO and President of Cooley Books Publishing Company. Dr. Cooley is the international and national television Host of The James Cooley Show…It’s Your Life LIVE on e360tv and over 25 LIVE Streaming platforms that include Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Roku, Apple TV, and other streaming networks. He is also the Host of the International and National Live Radio/Podcast The James Cooley Show…It’s Your Life which can be seen and heard in over 170 countries.

He is the author of the #1 Amazon new released and best-selling book titled “A Black Man’s Point of View: Mind, Body, and Soul” (2023). Dr. Cooley has also authored “Country Boy, City Boy, A Journey, That Ain’t Over Yet” (2020) & Audiobook narrated by James Cooley (2021), The Book of Knowledge: “Your Pathway to Enlightenment (2015), My Path (2014). He is the Co-Author of Joy 365 with a scheduled release date of September 2023, and is one of the featured authors in Who’s Who of the Industries (Global) with a scheduled release date of July 2023.

Cooley began his Navy career as an enlisted sailor. Through hard work and extreme dedication to excellence, James worked his way up through the enlisted ranks to reach the rank of E-9, Master Chief Petty Officer, prior to closing out his enlisted record after 15 years. He was then selected and served as a US Navy commissioned officer for 8 years and obtained the rank of Lieutenant (LT/03E). After 23 years of military service, Cooley retired and worked for the U.S. Government and DOD aerospace industry and started his own company as a U.S. government contractor. 

He was presented with the 1992 Senior Enlisted Admirals Gallery and Renken Award of Merit for the Cooley Fitness show breakfast tutoring program for underprivileged and academically at-risk students, the first of its kind in the USA. James was selected as one of the first George H. Bush’s One-Thousand Points of Light recipients for outstanding community service.

He was awarded and the recipient of the ABC Channel 10 Salute to San Diego Military Heroes Award for April 2015 special airing on ABC 10 and ABC.com (worldwide) on 18th May 2015.

Dr. Cooley is a Doctoral Student at Concordia University (E.D.D. Transformational Leadership). His educational background includes a Masters of Public Administration (MPA) from Central Michigan University, Executive MBA Masters Certificates and Executive Master Certificate Transformational Non-Profit Leadership and Management from the University of  Notre Dame.

He graduated From Villanova University with several Masters Certificates in Six Sigma (Black Belt Certified), Lean Enterprise Solutions, Applied Project Management, Masters in IS/IT Project Management, Masters in Information Security Management – GOVERNMENT, Masters in Information Systems Security, and Masters in Organizational Leadership. He resides in Temecula, California and Fort Worth, Texas with his wife of 15 years, Michelle.

Check out the video below to watch our interview:

Resources Mentioned:

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