Holly Cooper

For SC House of Representatives, District 46 (D)  

Candidate Holly Ann Cooper is the president of Diva in Training Incorporated located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Her consulting firm specializes in public and media relations, special event planning, community relations, corporate advertising, sponsorship opportunities, sports/entertainment marketing, and image and brand consulting.

When she is not serving on the Young Men of Distinction Scholarship Committee in Rock Hill, or advocating for foster children as a Volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)/Guardian ad Litem in Rock Hill, or attending the Rock Hill High School football games where her nephews Daniel and Joshua are in the marching band, she is expanding her clientele in the Carolinas.

Identified by family values, Christian guidance and giving back to the community, she sets a standard for others to follow. Her current client is the  Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture in Charlotte, NC, where she secured national and local media coverage for the grand opening events and developing the 2010/2011 strategic planning initiatives.

A true public relations and integrated marketing veteran, with an eye for detail, she held a key position on the public relations and event planning team for the 50th Anniversary of Jackie Robinson's break-through into Major League Baseball.  She also developed and produced Johnson & Johnson’s salutes to "African American Women of Strength" in Detroit and Philadelphia.

She spearheaded the national integrated marketing campaign for the Diahann Carroll Signature Fashion Line, which featured a fashion showcase and a salute to local women who exemplified community leadership.  In addition, she successfully pursued Mayor Guiliani's office to declare September 24, 1997 "Diahann Carroll Day in New York City."

Ms. Cooper managed the national "Can You Courvoisier" and has worked at such prestigious advertising firms as Stedman Graham & Partners, Frasier Smith and Partners and The Chisholm-Mingo Group, where she managed the national advertising and public relations campaigns for GMC Yukon and Envoy trucks, Denny's Restaurant, and JCPenney "I Love Your Style."

In 2006, she was honored with The Network Journal “40 under Forty Rising Stars,” and today continues to work diligently for her clients as well as the community she resides in. She is currently an active member at Agape International Ministries in Rock Hill. 

To learn more about Holly Cooper, visit her website at www.hollyacooper.com.

Here are Ms. Cooper's answers to some questions posed by the Institute.

What is the first political event or experience you can remember? How did it affect you?

My parents were active in the Shirley Chisholm campaign as the 1st African American woman in Congress.  Although I was just a child, her victory brought a lot of joy to my house.

South Carolina would be a better place if only…

The majority party would be a voice for all South Carolinians verses just the privileged.

Why you – why now for this position you’re running for?

The whole purpose of a democracy is to have choices. My opponent has comfortably held the seat for 18 years with little opposition. His voting record is not benefiting the majority of his constituents, yet if no one challenges him then he continues to ignore public education needs, women's rights, etc. I can’t sit on the sideline and accept his misguided decisions.

With relatively few women in elected office here in SC what do you foresee to be your greatest challenge once elected to public office? How will you prepare yourself to face it? 

Being respected as a strong representative for the people of South Carolina.  Relationship buildings will be a key in preparing for the challenge.

What’s the most valuable educational experience you’ve had?

Learn from your mishaps, therefore the odds of it recurring are limited.

What is something about you that your friends would be surprised to learn?

I do not watch any reality shows…I spend the majority of my TV time watching MSNBC.

What is your leadership style?

I am a mentor to all of my staff. I am very accessible, patient and eager to teach others. I allow people to grow and develop their own style.