Meet Alana L Cooper

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alana L Cooper.

Alana, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
When I was in kindergarten, my teacher volunteered me to sing lead because we were going to perform for the elderly at a nursing home. I remember every detail from that day; the dress I wore, my hairstyle and how nervous yet excited I was to be performing. After that performance, my teacher always picked me to be the lead in any performance we had; I even played Rosa Parks for Black History Month and received a standing ovation.

Fast forward to high school, I was really into dancing. From talent shows to being in an advanced dance class. Everyone just knew I would become a dancer, everyone, except my grandma. I mean, I knew I was going to be a performer/entertainer but I was joggling between my love for Acting & my passion for dancing. After one of my talent shows one night, my grandma mentioned in her Liberian Accent, “you wey soon stop dancing, your teacher told me when you were in kindergarten that you wey become an actress.” Unbeknownst to me, my kindergarten teacher told her that it’s important no one stops me from pursuing performing arts, that she sees me becoming an actress. Dancing quickly became a hobby & I started my Acting career. In my opinion, I was so terrible. I wouldn’t watch me. I did one or two performances at school but then I started working at this non-profit organization called Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice and during the summer, I performed with the Drama & Dance Club. I was developing my skills for acting yet another passion I had no idea about, revealed itself; Activism. At Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice, there was a 13-week training program that prepared you to become a youth organizer; a youth organizer is a young person who advocates for change within their community &/or generation. At Youth Ministries for Peace & Justice, there were three departments for social justice; Policing Reform, Education Reform & Environmental Justice. Whether staff chose or it was an option, I’m so happy I was placed in the Policing Reform campaign. This campaign started a fire in me that can’t burn out.

After I decided that Acting is what I wanted to do, I took a leap of faith & applied for a college called, “The American Musical & Dramatic Academy.” I still can’t believe a little girl from the Bronx went all the way to California to pursue her dreams. A dream some said, “Is not guaranteed.” I graduated 2 1/2 years later with my Bachelor’s degree. After graduating in June 2018, I went back home & started working/auditioning. A lot of people think that after you graduate from this field, your big break is right around the corner. As much as I wish that was true, I’m also selective about the roles/stories I take on because as a young black woman, I refuse to be labeled or boxed in. I won’t allow my desire to have my “big break” override my integrity & my vision for the roles/stories I see myself playing/creating.

I remember coming home from work one day & talking to my friend Cadijah on the phone. We were talking about the police brutality & injustices taking place within the black community & how sorry we were for the children that were born in the Trump era. Our conversation lasted about an hour & I remember telling her, “I’m going to create a talk show, where everything is up for discussion!” A year & a month later, theAlanaLCoopershow is being acknowledged, respected & most importantly known for inspiring millennials to use their voice. I know without a doubt that I will become one of the world’s best-known actresses, but my legacy won’t stop there. I will be a revolutionary & what this generation calls, “A BEAST!”

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I came into 2019, thinking this was going to be the best year of my life. I was hype yall, I mean I was like, “Aigh God, they ain’t ready!” and God was saying, “No daughter, you’re not ready.” I was fine up until June 10th,2019. On June 10th, I received some unsettling news, my dad texted me saying, “Hey puff, grandma isn’t doing good. She’s unresponsive.” So I do what I know how to do, pray. It was so scary, seeing her lying in the hospital bed like that, thinking that June 8th could have been my last conversation with her, was unbearable. We stayed in that hospital for 11 hours & during those 11 hours so much took place; tears, prayers, family came to visit, moments of fear, moments of overthinking, moments of regrets, moments of pleading with the doctors to do everything they can to save her. It was like a movie. I remember every detail. June 11th, 2019 around two o’clock in the morning, she passed away. The most devastating news of my entire life.

A lot of people like to think of me as this strong person, who doesn’t allow anything to break her & although that’s true. I couldn’t keep it together for a couple of months. The pain that I felt you guys is indescribable. I don’t know how people deal with death & for me, it had been a long time since someone so important to me passed away. I took pride in having all my grandparents. They are everything to me. I was so heartbroken & If I’m being honest VERY upset at God. I never been upset with God before but I couldn’t hide it. Night after night, crying out & asking, “Lord, why have you forsaken me?” but at the same time of asking him that question, he was mending my heart & replacing pain with peace. I still cry & of course, I think of her every day, but I know God needed her way more & I know that when I become everything I said I would become, she will be watching me from the best seats.

Has my road been smooth? Absolutely not, yet, I wouldn’t have it any other way. Just like many people, I’ve been through the storms, I’ve had many rainy days, I’ve been broke & broken, I’ve questioned myself & God and I’ve been tested but the one thing I love about myself is that I’m a fighter. I’ve never given up, no matter how tough it may get. The devil can’t stop what God has for me. It may not be the best year of my life but it has been the strongest year of my life.

What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of? What sets you apart from others?
I have my Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts in Acting & while I’m auditioning, I figured why wait for someone to hand me an opportunity when I can create my own! ‘theAlanaLCoopershow’ is a platform for millennials to have a dialogue around political, social & personal experiences. I like to call it “changing the world one conversation at a time,” theAlanaLCoopershow uses Facebook as a platform to broadcast live episodes. My talk show isn’t about the latest gossip or the latest trends. Although I do enjoy hearing about the latest news on celebrities, I much rather use my weekends to have conversations that will benefit my generation. theAlanaLCoopershow is exactly what we need as millennials, to be able to control the narrative of the topics that are important to us & what we do with the knowledge shared is what makes it even more rewarding. For instance, We’ve discussed topics like; Cops still killing us (on police brutality within the Black community), Men & Relationships (relationship topics are always the best) & Mental Health Issues (I’m just happy people are open enough to discuss it now); which were amazing conversations & I’m sure every viewer learned something new & gained an open perspective regarding the topic. Those are conversations that are beneficial to our self-discovery as millennials as well as identifying our position in society. It is no longer our parents & grandparents job to create the change in the world that we want to see, it is our job to pick up where they left off & get the job done! Right now, we are in our 4th Season & I’m so proud of all the work that’s been put into the show & we can’t stop thanking our viewers for their feedback. It’s a great feeling to know that people are enjoying these conversations & learning from them. theAlanaLCoopershow stands out from any other talk show because our topics are unmatched, a lot of people shy away from discussing controversial topics because it can easily turn into intense debates or even arguments, but I love it. I love starting conversations that make you want to go back & forth in the comments that when it’s over, you’re still talking about one point a person made that you agree or disagree with. That’s the goal! Get people talking, so that they feel so fired up, they start making moves. Moves to change the world.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
WARNING: List is long. We gotta big team!

I just want to give a huge shout out to everyone who has poured into me, from the bottom of my heart, I appreciate & love you & this is only the beginning, thank you. (FYI: this list is not in order)

-My Purposemate: Evans Russ
-My God Mother: Nikki Godbold
-My Uncle: Everett GodBold
-My Grandpa: Phillip Campbell
-My Grandmothers: Connie, Meme & Malue
-My Mommy aka BIG ME
-My Daddy aka My Twin
-My Baby Sister: Ameliah
-My Little Brother: Joshua
-My Brother: Corey Palmgren
-My Cousin: Orwain Kipps
-My Close Friends: Jamani Epps, Rukiya McCormick, Anquanizia Hall, Gavin White, Stephanie Cuffy-Jeffries, Cadijah Hyacinth, Scarlet Spence, Lamar Robles, Tyreke Rambert, Rafael Miranda, Fatimah Abdullah, Bianca Nunez & Vanessa Combs
-My YMPJ Mentors: Kendall Lewis, Tiffany Otero, Anthony Thomas & Floyd Coleman aka Jermaine
-My Teachers/Principals/Guidance Counselors: Mrs. Melonie (kindergarten), Mrs. Lucie, Ms. Neier & Mrs. Fred (Holy Spirit-Elementary/Middle school), Ms. Schnee, Mr. Phillips, Ms. Felder (JKO), Eric-Scott Gould, Jesse Jensen, John Sloman & Mark Lewis (AMDA)
-A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO GOD. I wouldn’t be here without his unconditional love, favor & covering. All Glory & Honor belongs to him!

Contact Info:

• ‘theAlanaLCoopershow’ airs on Facebook Live – EVERY Saturday & Sunday, 8pm EST/5pm PST. Tune In!
• Instagram: @thealanalcoopershow
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/theAlanaLCoopershow

Image Credit:
@iskinnylove on Instagram

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