The transition from prison back into the community can be rough, and if it’s not handled right, the path can lead right back to the inside. Anthony Cooper made the most of his time after he got out, and now dedicates his life to helping others make the transition as the director of Re-entry Services as Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership.
Rank your Top 5 MCs
- Jay Z
- Common
- Kendrick Lama
- Biggie
- Nas
Which motivates you more: doubters or supporters? I’m motivated by both. My supporters give me the positive motivation to press forward toward my goals. My doubters keep me on my toes.
What does it mean to be black in Madison? I feel this is a loaded question. Being black in Madison has its challenges on so many different levels, but it’s not all bad.
What three leaders in Madison under 50 have impressed you the most?
- Miss Progress (Sabrina Madison) – from the Conversation Mixtape to her most recent success with the Black Women’s Leadership Conference,she is always using innovative ways to uplift and build the black community.
- Coach Assad – this brother really has a true passion to help build our youth! He uses a “by any means necessary” approach to help change the youth in Dane County.
- Michael Johnson – he is one individual that truly cares about everyone and wants to see our community do better regardless of race, creed or color. Overall, he is a leader’s leader, someone that believes in doing the right thing for the right reason.
What’s the biggest stumbling block in Madison to turning the corner on our racial disparities? We are having plenty of blunt, honest conversations about the issues in our community, but we lack a plan of action to be carried out. We all know the issues we face, but we are not putting the action behind it or working together in unity to fix what has been going on for decades. Until we start actively working on these issues, we will keep having the same issues for the next generation to deal with.
What are your top three priorities at this point in your life?
- God
- Family
- Community
You are known as an expert in helping people who are just getting released from jail or prison to reentry into society. What are the top four things people need to do to create a good reentry program?
- Paid employment training that leads to permanent living wage jobs – some people returning from prison have financial obligations (such as back child support, current child support,restitution, court fees ) over all they need the funds.
- Supportive transitional housing – housing that will help with their needs AODA, family support and life skills etc. these things need to be at the housing facility.
- Accountability Support group – something similar to the “Man Up” program provided by Nehemiah Center for Urban Leadership. These type of groups help returning citizens deal with day to day issues that may come up in life and give men an outlet to conquer issues that may occur by being a person who is returning from prison
- Advocacy/Mentoring
When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? Believe it or not, a fireman.
What’s your opinion of the “no snitching code”? At one time in my life, this was something that I lived by. As my life has turned around, I feel as though we must hold each other accountable to have a safe community.
Name your favorite line or quote from any hip hop song? I’ve got no time for envy nor for hate. My inner power’s too strong to let such evil penetrate – Guru (Count Your Blessings)
How do you relieve stress? Walking in the Arboretum, kayaking, jogging or listening to music (house, hip/hop, gospel, Neo soul).
Name your all-time favorite book? He-Motions by T.D. Jakes and Unlimited Power By Tony Robbins
