Shemeca Cooper shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Shemeca, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is most important to me. Intelligence can be taught, and energy can be improved through habits like proper rest, diet, and exercise. But integrity is different; it’s a matter of the heart and of character. If someone lacks integrity, they’ll cut corners, compromise values, or adopt a “by any means necessary” mindset, even at the expense of others. That kind of thinking can ruin a company, a brand, and even relationships.
On the other hand, a person with integrity will always do what’s right, even when no one is watching. Their word can be trusted. They mean what they say, and they stand behind it. They won’t just give 99% when it’s convenient; they’ll commit to 100% right, 100% of the time. Integrity builds trust, sustains vision, and safeguards impact. For me, that’s non-negotiable.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Greetings everyone, I’m Shemeca Cooper the founder of Cooper Legacy Books, a family-run publishing company I started with my children. Our mission is simple but so powerful: we have set out to create wholesome, family-friendly comic books that inspire, entertain, and uplift while staying true to strong moral values. We officially launched in June 2025, and the response has been nothing short of amazing!
The heart behind our work really comes from my “why.” As a mom, I started to notice hidden agendas and negative messages slipping into the books my children loved. It bothered me deeply because I’ve always believed protecting a child’s innocence and shaping their values is just as important as teaching them how to read. As I was walking away after telling them my children “no” to yet another favorite comic book, I heard God say, “create your own.” So, my kids and I decided to create our own stories that reflect the things we value—faith, friendship, character, and family.
That’s how our first two titles were born, “The Amazing Adventures of Zoe & Chloe and Their Guardian Angel” and “Alex the Great.” And what makes Cooper Legacy Books so special is that my children aren’t just the inspiration, they’re the co-authors. They’ve poured their own humor, creativity, and experiences into these stories, making them fun and relatable for middle schoolers, while giving parents the peace of mind that the content is safe and uplifting.
Now, as we head into the holiday season, we’re excited to not only share our books but also themed merchandise like backpacks, blankets, and apparel that let kids carry these stories into their everyday lives. For us, this is about more than comic books—it’s about leaving a legacy of creativity, integrity, and family values for generations to come.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I had with my mom. She was the epitome of strength and grace, the kind of woman who could command a room without ever raising her voice. My mom meant what she said, and she didn’t believe in repeating herself, you listened the first time. There was a quiet power about her, a strength in her silence that made you take notice.
She was well-spoken and intentional with her words. I never heard her gossip or backbite; she carried herself with dignity and lived with her priorities in order—family and business came first. And she did it all with a sense of style that was unforgettable. Watching her taught me that strength doesn’t have to be loud, integrity speaks louder than words, and how you carry yourself matters.
Growing up, I lived with my mom and visited my dad during the summers. Even though their marriage ended, I never once heard my mother speak an ill word about him. Instead, she showed me how to honor a person regardless of personal experiences. That left a lasting imprint on me. It shaped not only how I rear my children but also how I show up in my marriage. Because of her example, I value peace over pettiness, respect over resentment, and honor over offense.
My relationship with my mom didn’t just teach me how to be a mother, it taught me how to be a wife, a leader, and a woman who carries both strength and grace into every room I walk into.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
There wasn’t necessarily a time where I almost gave up, but there was a time when my mindset kept me from even trying. In my 20s, I often felt like I was always “late to the party” when it came to business ideas. I believed that if I started something, someone else had already thought of it, was miles ahead of me, and there was no room left for me.
That way of thinking held me back from pursuing ideas that were actually close to my heart. For example, I once dreamed of starting a clothing company with a message, but I never moved forward because I told myself the idea was already taken and couldn’t be improved upon.
Then one day, God placed a new thought in my heart: “I have more than enough time to do the things I desire.” Later I added a verse from Psalm 1:3: “Whatever I do shall prosper.” Little by little, those words broke down the limiting mindset I had built up. They reminded me that there’s always room for my voice, my creativity, and my contribution.
That shift changed everything. It’s why I step boldly now into my ventures—whether it’s real estate, community programs, or Cooper Legacy Books—knowing that my timing is right on time.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
If you asked my closest friends what really matters to me, they’d probably all say the same three things: my faith, my family, and my purpose. They know I care deeply about protecting the innocence of children and shaping the next generation, whether that’s through the stories we tell in Cooper Legacy Books or the way I raise my own kids.
They’d also say that integrity matters to me—that I’m someone who wants to do what’s right, even when no one is watching. And they’d tell you I care about building legacy more than just building success. For me, it’s never been about chasing quick wins; it’s about creating something that lasts, something that uplifts families, communities, and hopefully even generations to come.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I’m gone, I hope people tell the story of a woman who lived with integrity, who meant what she said, and who poured her heart into her family and her community. I want them to say I was someone who didn’t just build businesses but built legacies; that I used creativity, faith, and entrepreneurship to make life better for others.
Through Cooper Legacy Books, I hope people remember that I wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. Instead of accepting stories that didn’t align with my values, I created new ones with my children—stories that honored God, protected innocence, and reminded families that their values still matter. I want people to say I left behind more than books; I left behind a movement of parents and children who believed they could create, dream, and stand for what was right.
Most of all, I hope the story people tell is that I loved well—that I was a devoted wife, a present mother, and a woman who turned her personal “why” into something that will outlive her.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clbook.top
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shemecacooper/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cooperlegacybooks
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CooperLegacyBooks
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/Cooperlegacybooks
Image Credits
images provided and taken by Shemeca Cooper
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
