Picture a Chicago teenager navigating gang-filled streets, only to transform a sport and inspire millions—meet Arshay Cooper! A Benjamin Franklin award-winning author, Golden Oar recipient, and motivational speaker, Cooper’s journey from the West Side of Chicago to global stages is a testament to grit, teamwork, and the life-changing power of rowing.
His memoir, A Most Beautiful Thing, and its acclaimed documentary capture the heart of his story: captaining America’s first all-Black high school rowing team. With a light yet profound voice, Cooper blends raw honesty with hope, making him a beacon for overcoming adversity.
The Making of Arshay Cooper
Born in the 1980s on Chicago’s West Side, Arshay Cooper grew up in a world shadowed by gang violence and addiction. His mother, a recovering addict, raised him and his three siblings in a cramped one-room apartment. Amid the chaos, Cooper found solace in poetry and dreams of becoming a chef. At Manley High School in 1997, a chance encounter changed everything—a boat in the lunchroom and a poster reading 'Join the Crew Team.' Despite never having rowed, Cooper took the leap, a decision that would redefine his life.
Rowing introduced him to discipline and camaraderie, but it wasn’t easy. Facing racism and the sport’s exclusivity, Cooper’s determination shone. He became captain, leading his team through uncharted waters, both literal and figurative. After high school, he served two years in AmeriCorps, focusing on diversity, and later trained at Le Cordon Bleu, cooking for WWE stars and athletes.
Arshay Cooper’s Unforgettable Stories
Cooper’s writing is raw, heartfelt, and infused with hope, reflecting his journey from hardship to triumph. His first book, Suga Water (2015), a self-published memoir, chronicles his rowing days and the bonds forged on the water. Republished as A Most Beautiful Thing (2020) by Macmillan, it became a regional bestseller, praised for its vivid storytelling and insights on race and resilience.
The book inspired a documentary of the same name, narrated by Common and executive produced by NBA stars Grant Hill and Dwyane Wade. It dives into the team’s struggles and triumphs, earning a 2021 Gracie Award. Cooper’s second book, set for release by HarperCollins in October 2025, promises to deepen his narrative of access and opportunity. His style—conversational yet poignant—makes complex themes like systemic inequality accessible, inviting readers to root for his crew.
Through his nonprofit, the A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund, Cooper’s words extend to action, introducing rowing to thousands of under-resourced youth. His storytelling, whether in books or speeches, sparks conversations about equity and community, making his work a catalyst for change.
Why Arshay Cooper Matters
Arshay Cooper’s impact transcends rowing and literature. By breaking barriers in a predominantly white sport, he redefined who belongs in the boathouse. His Inclusion Fund has inspired diversity-focused rowing programs worldwide, from the U.S. to New Zealand. Speaking at venues like Congress, the NBA, and Harvard, Cooper bridges divides, using his story to foster unity and opportunity.
His legacy lies in showing that transformation is possible, no matter the odds. Cooper’s work challenges readers to see potential in unlikely places, making him a vital voice in discussions on race, access, and resilience. In 2022, he received the National Recreation Foundation’s Crawford Prize for his advocacy, cementing his role as a changemaker.
- Born: 1980s, Chicago, Illinois
- Key Works: Suga Water (2015), A Most Beautiful Thing (2020), upcoming HarperCollins book (2025)
- Awards: Benjamin Franklin Award, 2x Golden Oar, 2022 Crawford Prize
- Fun Fact: He’s a trained chef who cooked for WWE stars!
About Arshay Cooper
Ready to be inspired? Grab A Most Beautiful Thing and dive into Arshay Cooper’s powerful world of resilience and rowing!