Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Cooper
Hi Ashley, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Being presented this opportunity brought me to tears, but it also reassures me that I am on the right path. I have always been someone who loves helping others, whether by connecting them to the right resources, sharing my knowledge, or simply being a listening ear. As a child, I was always a talker (and still am), but God sent me through a season where I had to reverse the roles and learn the power of listening.
Originally, I was pursuing a degree in psychology, but after a conversation with a former principal, I was encouraged to switch my major to Social Work, and that decision changed my life. This journey forced me to engage in deep self-reflection, not only questioning my upbringing but also committing to doing the internal work necessary to become a better individual.
Then, one tragic night, I received a chilling phone call from my cousin’s sister. Her voice was frantic and breaking as she asked me to try reaching him, hoping he would pick up my call. Moments later, I learned that my cousin, La’Quan Howard the handsome, athletic, creative, and intelligent soul I knew had died by suicide.
Even as I write this, the weight of that loss still brings tears to my eyes. That night, I drove to my grandmother’s house to be with my family, and I will never forget how my tears flowed like a river the entire way. I still thank God for keeping me during that drive, as it was the longest and hardest of my life.
In the aftermath, I couldn’t help but ask, What was he going through that made him feel like he had no one to lean on? I questioned God, wondering why, if He had placed me on this path to help others, I wasn’t able to intervene in time. The most heartbreaking part was that my family struggled even to say the words: he died by suicide.
In 2020, I gave birth to my mission: Killing the Silence in the Black Community. I knew I never wanted another family to experience what mine did and feel like they lacked the words to express their grief. I wanted to sound the alarm, that in the Black community where faith is deeply rooted, we must also recognize that God does not want us to suppress our emotions. It is time to process them. Our emotions are not a sin, and therapy is not just for the “ill” it is for everyone.
I started by sharing my message on YouTube, hosting events, and speaking at engagements. But this is only the beginning of a mighty movement.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey has not been a smooth road. Birthing something mighty while trying to understand God’s blueprint comes with challenges, but it is also incredibly rewarding. One of the biggest challenges is reassuring individuals that they not only have control over their emotions but also permission to feel in order to heal. Helping people move beyond the basic labels of happy, sad, or mad to more deeply descriptive emotions is crucial. Because the truth is, there is no healing without feeling.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Currently, I work with a company called Grace Harbour, where I support youth on probation and their families, helping them pivot toward positive behavioral changes. My experience spans various areas of social work, including child welfare, psychiatric hospitals, hospice care, and soon, the school system.
At my core, my mission has always been to help individuals and families navigate life’s challenges, whether it’s poverty, abuse, addiction, mental illness, or disability, by providing counseling, advocacy, and connecting them to the resources they need to heal and thrive.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Attending seminars and conferences with like minded individuals has been instrumental in my journey, helping me find strong mentorship and fostering my personal and professional growth. I truly believe in the power of lifelong learning and embrace every opportunity to remain a student.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/killing_thesilence?igsh=MWd2dzN2cndvODV0bg==
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ashleycooper-vb4le?feature=shared
