Meet Nathan Cohen

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nathan Cohen.

Nathan, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
By focusing on the possibilities for success and not on the potential for failure is what has kept me focused and determined to achieve what others said I could not. Born in Pensacola, FL, I knew from a very young age that my creative mind would take me places that were not the norm. Coming from humble beginnings, I was reared in a very strict household but even in the midst of that, was one who dared to be different. While matriculating through my undergraduate college career at Florida A&M University, I did it all, modeled and trained models in a modeling organization, sang and served as a leader in the college gospel choir, served in leadership within my college (School of Allied Health Sciences), initiated into a bond of brotherhood like non-other (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.). The list goes on, but there was still a place of uncertainty as to where I fit in this race we call life. After the evident struggle of matriculating through graduate school in hopes of obtaining my Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, I made the tough decision to withdraw and pursue something that made ME happy and not to appease my family. Taking the road less traveled was my choice and I decided to turn my focus to a more disciplined method of education, an online graduate degree.

Not only did I obtain one Master’s degree, but I obtained TWO!! On Thursday, September 20, 2012, little did I know that I would receive a call that would change my life FOREVER!! The phone rings and it is the human resources department of the Atlanta Hawks basketball organization offering me an opportunity to work with them. But this was the catch, keep in mind, this was Wednesday and I was told that I had to report to the Atlanta Hawks office promptly on Monday, September 24 at 8:00 a.m. for orientation if I wanted the opportunity. I was humbled as I was informed that I received the VERY LAST spot for this hiring period. I packed up my apartment, putting things in storage and loading my Nissan Altima to the roof with the bare necessities and leaving all that I ever knew, Florida, at 3:00 a.m. in tears, the morning of Monday, September 24 and all roads led to Atlanta, GA.

Unfortunately, the opportunity with this popular organization did not best suite my career needs which pushed me back into the world of healthcare. Working in healthcare finance and insurance, managing several employees and attempting to make a mark in the corporate world, my intentions were good, but the redundancy got to me. After making the decision to leave corporate America and taking a risk on my entrepreneurial endeavors, this is when the journey became interesting. Your level of focus determines your reality.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The road to my success is not a highway. I have had to lay the road as I go. Some areas that were laid were quite smooth. No bumps, no potholes, no roadkill, no debris just road where I let the window down and enjoyed the ride. Then there was the road that I thought would be smooth but turned out to be suspension-busting, construction-filled messes. Some of these roads took me on dead-ends, detours, and in very heavy traffic that appeared to get worse and worse as I continued the journey. I would put forth a façade in front of friends and family for them to believe that all is well, however, little did they know, while they were going to their well paying jobs, nice apartments and homes, I would wish for Wednesday to come so that I may retreat to bible study to get relief. Then I would drive to a friend’s house where I would sleep on an air mattress or their pull out sofa bed, trying to figure out how would my next move be the best. Applying for the positions and being denied. Keep in mind, I am applying for positions with a DUAL Masters degree and management experience, but in a territorial and over populated market like Atlanta, my daring to be different appeared to blend with everyone else.

My time had run out with staying with a friend and then I had to resort to what brought me to the city of Atlanta in the beginning, my Nissan Altima which served as my storage and MY BED—sitting at gas stations, pulling in parking garages and church parking lots, to feel some form of relief. Many tears were shed as there were times I did not know where the next meal was coming from, how I would put gas in my car or when I would get my big break for a new opportunity.

And when the road could not be rougher, I am involved in a near fatal car accident that completely turned my life upside down. Fifty-seven staples, 107 stitches, a broken arm in 4 places, a steel beam with eight screws and the loss of one of my best friends later, I had to recover physically, emotionally, and mentally from it all. It was yet another opportunity at life that I was given. I took advantage of it and hit the ‘reset’ button. I believe that I had to experience the rough and rugged roads to greater appreciate the smooth ones.

On Tuesday, September 1, 2015, my journey took me to a Target parking deck in Midtown Atlanta. I sat there, crying and contemplating. It was a dark place where I began hearing all means of negative tones and instructions to do self-inflicting acts. The police are knocking on my tinted windows, telling me that I could not keep my car in the spot in which I was parked. I would drive away, only to circle back and park when the police would leave the area. As I continued to cry, I pulled out my phone and began to speak into my voice memo. My struggles became my strength as I spoke 37 pages of what will be my autobiography and this is where I realized there comes a time in every man’s life that he should seek out his life’s purpose and tap into his TRUE calling and appointed journey! We all live under the same sky, but we don’t have the same horizon! This is where is the “LIGHTBULB” was screwed in and begin to shine bright.

Please tell us about your work.
COHENlightens is an instrumental mouthpiece used to breed and develop leaders, maximize the potential for today’s youth, focusing on the responsibilities of being leaders and enhancing the greatness within. Recognizing and honoring unapologetic beauty and charisma, brilliance and the boldness of young men and women. And this is a continuation of that excellence. I now take on the mantle as a speaker, mentor, training and coach of confidence to promote growth, stability and train others for leadership with zest and creativity. Muriel Strode said it best: “Do not follow where the path my lead. Go, instead, where there is no path and leave a trail.”

I have received the opportunity to speak on several platforms as a Keynote speaker as well as serving as a mentor to several young men and women who takes inspiring these individuals very seriously. I started mentoring and realized there were many fundamental things that these young men and women lacked. I pride myself on being an extraordinary individual of etiquette whose practical presentation and creative approaches not only revolutionized the way men and women carry themselves, but it took their view of self to another level.

I am also very proud of the extension of COHENlightens that was launched as of April 2018, entitled LIGHTshine Moments on YouTube. This motivational platform allows entrepreneurs and moguls to shine their LIGHT on subjects of inspiration and encouragement. I have had the opportunity to shed light on various subjects such as discipline, momentum, preparation, ambition, and thinking bigger. Moguls like Dorien Wilson (Actor, Producer and known for his role as Professor Oglevee on the hit show “The Parkers”), Dr. Jamal H. Bryant (Author and Senior Pastor of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Lithonia, GA), Q Parker (Actor, Philanthropist and member of the R&B group 112) have graced this platform to encourage and motivate hundreds. Be on the look in the year 2021 because it’s going to be the BOMB!!

Daring to be different sets me apart from others, but more specifically, I realize that life is like a jigsaw puzzle, at first its confusing but as the pieces start fitting together I can tell it’s all a part of the master plan. #noboxtoptofollow. I have a unique ability to see loopholes in one’s approach to what they want to achieve in life and show them a step-by-step how to patch them with easy to apply, yet creative approaches. Approaches that I have seen work for me on countless occasions.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Whoopi Goldberg said it best “We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.” I have been blessed and fortunate to have selfless individuals who have reared me, taught me, molded me and even “threw that torch” out for me that has helped me along my journey to continued success. My mom, Deborah Gant – who has been a beacon of light in many dark spaces. Everyone can not say that they were fortunate to have a mother who nurtured but also allowed you to make the mistakes and learn from them.

My grandparents, Nathaniel and Barbara Calhoun – two individuals who showed me what self-love looks and feels like. They taught me the importance of following your dreams and staying true to yourself and believing in yourself when others would not.

Dr. Alex Ellis – is a true example of what confidence and class look like. He was a male figure that taught me how to exude a confidence that is not based on the exterior, but it begins with knowing who God created me to be.

Dr. Lee Jones – as an author, professor, and executive producer, he took his role as mentor to me very seriously and creatively engaged me with what my next steps in my journey should be. He taught me how to be an individual of high energy, substantive, and highly interactive when speaking.

The love and support of my siblings, Kimberly and Frederick Gant, along with a host of friends, family, and fraternity brothers, have taught me that without commitment, there is no start and without consistency, there is not finish!!

You must understand that as you continue on the journey, everyone can’t go with you. You can’t spend major time with minor people and expect significant growth. Know your circle, cherish it, and hold tight to the people who are an asset and not ones who are a hindrance.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 414-885-LIGHT (4448)
• Email: bookingncohen@gmail.com
• Instagram: @Monsieur_Cohen | @cohencaptures
• Facebook: Nathan Cohen

Image Credit:
Malik Willingham – Power Circle Entertainment
Carlos Jones – Carlos Jones Photography
Michael Cork – Macork Solutions
Nathan Cohen – COHENcaptures

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