Former All-Black High School Rowing Captain Aims to Bring Crew to Nashville’s Inner-City Kids

Arshay Cooper, former captain of America’s first all-Black high school rowing team, is on a mission to bring the sport of rowing to inner-city kids in Nashville. Cooper recently visited the Nashville Public Library to discuss his book, A Most Beautiful Thing, and his plans to launch a recruiting program in the Fall.

Cooper, along with a team of former American Olympians of color, will be traveling to inner-city and underprivileged areas in Nashville to share his story and introduce kids to the sport of rowing. He believes that rowing can provide an outlet and path away from gang life, as it did for him growing up in a violent neighborhood in Chicago.

The inspiration behind Cooper’s book and documentary was to show kids that participating in rowing is possible for them as well. He is committed to outreach for troubled youth and hopes to secure funding to expand the Nashville Rowing Club membership. One of the biggest hurdles for kids joining crew is providing consistent transportation, but Cooper believes that rowing could be a life-changing opportunity for many children of color and girls in Nashville.

Cooper also hopes to see some of the kids he mentors compete in the Olympics one day, as rowing is a sport that measures an athlete’s success in a unique way. He believes that rowing not only teaches valuable life skills but also provides opportunities for kids to travel and see parts of their city and country they may not have otherwise experienced.

With Cooper’s dedication and passion for bringing rowing to inner-city kids in Nashville, the sport may soon see a more diverse and inclusive representation that reflects the true American image.