#224: Arshay Cooper -- "A Most Beautiful Thing", The Power of Opportunity

Today I am honored to welcome rower, award winning author, motivational speaker and activist Arshay Cooper to the show!! From his website: "Arshay grew up on the West Side of Chicago, witnessing family and friends become products of their environment. But a chance encounter changed Arshay’s life. In 1997, he joined (and later became captain of) the first African-American high school rowing team at Manley High School, an experience that changed Arshay life." His memoir of this experience, "A Most Beautiful Thing", is an absolute gem of a book- highlighting his experience joining the crew team, discovering a purpose, forming a brotherhood, and finding peace and safety on the water. It really encapsulates the power of sport can have in a young person's life. His story has received major praise and highlights the need for opportunities in impoverished areas. "A Most Beautiful Thing" is now a documentary film from award winning director Mary Mazzio, narrated by Common produced by Dwayne Wade, Grant Hill and 9th Wonder. The film tells the story of the team's intro to rowing and then reunites them as grown men to compete again. It is ABSOLUTELY fantastic and will bring you to tears. I was completely honored and inspired by Arshay (especially because he's been doing nonstop interviews for the past five months) and cannot wait for you to listen to our conversation. I highly recommend both his book and his movie and respect Arshay spreading his positive message of love, inclusion, community and the power of opportunities! Along with watching the film, please support and donate to the George Pocock Rowing Foundation to promote opportunities in the sport of rowing to more diverse and underserved communities - https://www.pocockfoundation.org/copy-of-a-most-beautiful-thing MORE FROM ARSHAY COOPER AND "A MOST BEAUTIFUL THING" Website: https://www.arshaycooper.com Movie: https://www.amostbeautifulthing.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/Most-Beautiful-Thing-Americas-All-Black/dp/1250754763 Donate to George Pocock Rowing Foundation: https://www.pocockfoundation.org/copy-of-a-most-beautiful-thing MORE LIKE A BIGFOOT: Subscribe and Review on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/like-a-bigfoot/id1160773293?mt=2 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7EhpBoeVG2pcTCGwHG85UG Soundcloud Archives: https://soundcloud.com/chris-ward-126531464 Stitcher Archives: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/like-a-bigfoot Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/likeabigfoot/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/likeabigfoot/