Earl Skip Cooper Foundation
“Serving Humanity"
EARL "SKIP" COOPER II
“The Best is Yet to Come”
"I am not retiring. My life’s journey has led me to the establishment of my newest endeavor:
The Earl Skip Cooper Foundation (ESCF)".
Earl Skip Cooper Foundation will strive to serve humanity by enhancing the younger generation that represents the future, individual and military veteran’s quality of life; through business creation and enrichment services that lead to future success in a person’s life.
The purpose of the ESCF is to enhance the quality of life for individuals seeking our expertise. This will be fulfilled by serving humanity and offering enrichment services to bring success through mindfulness in every aspect of life. Military veterans and people of all ages from all walks of life that are facing life’s difficulties and mental challenges will be a primary focus.
About Earl “Skip” Cooper, II
From interacting with Black businessmen as a little boy on his paper route, to interacting with Black business leaders, community leaders and elected officials as a young man finding his way, Earl “Skip” Cooper II had resolved within himself that he wanted to be a difference-maker in the business arena. Moving from Oakland, California to Los Angeles in 1972 and earning a master’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship from USC put those wheels in motion. At every turn, over the last 46 years, Mr. Cooper has leveraged his knowledge, his resources, and his relationships for the cause of advancing Black business enterprise from City Hall to the White House. He has selflessly used whatever platform made available to him to give voice to Black entrepreneurship. And he has taken policymakers on the local, state and national levels to task when it comes to crafting responsible legislation that makes it easier for Black businesses to exist and thrive. A former Cal State LA instructor, a hallmark of Mr. Cooper’s four-plus decades with the Black Business Association has been his commitment to recognizing Black movers and shakers in the minority business sector via projects and programs such as the KACE radio broadcast in the mid-70s, he started BBA awards ceremonies, dessert receptions, and business seminars, workshops and conferences. As one who gives God all the credit for his blessed life and applauds to his colleagues for what they’ve accomplished together, Mr. Cooper leaves his post happy about the energy young entrepreneurs come with and the BBA’s capacity to guide young entrepreneurs as our future leaders.
Mr. Cooper is also the publisher/editor of the award-winning Black Business News
He is now a 100% disabled veteran.
Black Business Network News
-A Publication-
Publisher | Editor-in-Chief
Earl "Skip" Cooper II now Serves as the
Black Business Association's
Chairman of the Board
& President Emeritus
On December 31, 2021, after much consideration, Mr. Earl “Skip” Cooper, II officially retired as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Black Business Association (BBA)
“After over 46 years in leadership with the BBA, I feel now is the time for new leadership to oversee the organization’s day-to-day operations. It is and always will be a true commitment and my special purpose in life of serving African Americans and business owners, in addition to others. I look forward to assisting the Board in whatever way I can with the transition to building a stronger organization with the commitment to service young African American entrepreneurs because they are our future. My servitude will continue as I transition to the role of President Emeritus and Chairman of the Board.”
Founded in 1970, the Black Business Association (BBA), headquartered in Los Angeles, the oldest active ethnic business support organization in the state of California, has been committed to ensuring that African American and other diverse business owners benefit from our advocacy efforts to impact, improve, and implement policy that improves access to contracting and procurement opportunities with the public and private sector, in addition to providing access to financial resources.
The Black Business Association’s mission is to advocate and promote the development of African-American-owned businesses with the goal of creating a firm economic base that supports the self-determination and survival of the African American and urban community. The Black Business Association maintains very effective working relationships with elected and appointed officials for the support of African American business development. Locally, statewide, and in Washington, DC, they stay constantly aware of pending legislation that might affect our member’s businesses, their growth, and their ability to conduct business.
The BBA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
Earl "Skip" Cooper II, President and CEO of the Black Business Association receives the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and commitment to the African American business community for over 45 years.
- Feb. 2013 -
Earl "Skip" Cooper II Dinner & Roast
'A 50 Years of Service Celebration'
August 20, 2022
Click the flyer for details >>>
“Mr. Skip Cooper has been a big part of my success and growth for the last 20 years. He is a dear friend, mentor and equity champion for minority businesses. His introductions alone have turned into lifelong partnerships with Fortune 500 clients.”
– Denise A. Peoples,
chief educational officer at STEMulate Learning
“Our challenge is to bridge the racial divide and promote opportunities for all Americans and all nationalities, creeds, and religions.” “He’s all about promoting Black businesses. He’s never missed an opportunity to make sure people know that Black businesses exist, that they are quality businesses, and that they make significant contributions throughout California and the nation.”
-Tarrance Frierson, head of SCE Supplier
Diversity and Development
Black entrepreneurs find support in Black Business Association
By Aziza Shuler Culver City
PUBLISHED 10:00 AM PT Aug. 16, 2022 CULVER CITY, Calif.
— August is Black Business Month, and in LA County, Aug. 20 is officially Black Business Day or Earl ‘Skip’ Cooper Day. The Black Business Association, the oldest ethnic and active support organization for Black and diverse businesses in California, started the celebration.
Spectrum News delves into the significance of the Black Business Association and its more than 50 years of service.
