JIM ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER AND MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW. RATE GOES UP AFTER JULY 15. Register at https://aagolfexpo.com/register-herehttp://JIM ENCOURAGES EVERYONE TO REGISTER AND MAKE THEIR HOTEL RESERVATIONS NOW. RATE GOES UP AFTER JULY 15. Register at https://aagolfexpo.com/register-here
Dr. Michael Cooper, Senior Regional Golf Engagement Advisor with the USGA, will be a keynote speaker that the 2nd Annual African American Golf Expo & Forum, as announced by Jim Beatty, President of Jim Beatty Golf Ventures and Expo Organizer. Dr. Cooper will speak on two important topics: Connecting Golf Organizations to Industry Leaders and the Grassroots Grants Program which In a one-year period, received over 200 grant applications from which 155 grants were awarded to 110 unique organizations totaling over one million dollars.
Michael W. Cooper, Ph.D. is also Co-Chairman of the Make Golf Your Thing Youth & Adult Player Development committee. He is also Chairman of the American Golf Industry Coalition Grassroots Grants Program. Cooper’s golf experiences span over 30 years, including Director of Diversity for the World Golf Foundation, Southeast Regional and Outreach Director for the First Tee national office, Director of Golf for the Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation, and Head Pro/Manager at Rogers Park Golf Course, in Tampa, FL.
He has an educational background, too, with 20 years of experience as an Adjunct Faculty member at Springfield College. In that role, he has taught adult learners a variety of courses in organizational development and leadership for nonprofits, including social change, community organizing, strategic planning, ethical decision-making, advocacy, and youth development through sports.
Dr. Cooper is best known throughout the golf industry as a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion. He has authored three golf industry studies reporting data in four categories: recreational and competitive play, workforce and supplier diversity. These reports guided his inclusion work across the golf industry, and Cooper has been the lead spokesperson at many industry conferences, including the International Association of Golf Administrators (IAGA), PGA Merchandise Show, National Golf Day, and Congressional Black Caucus. He is a member of the African American Golfers Hall of Fame, and Board member for the Advocates Pro Tour.
Dr. Michael Cooper resides in Tampa, FL, with his wife and two children.
ABOUT THE USGA The USGA is a nonprofit organization that celebrates, serves and advances the game of golf. Founded in 1894, we conduct many of golf’s premier professional and amateur championships, including the U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Presented by ProMedica. With The R&A, we govern the sport via a global set of playing, equipment, handicapping and amateur status rules. The USGA campus in Liberty Corner, New Jersey, is home to the Association’s Research and Test Center, where science and innovation are fueling a healthy and sustainable game for the future. The campus is also home to the USGA Golf Museum, where we honor the game by curating the world’s most comprehensive archive of golf artifacts. To learn more, visit usga.org
ABOUT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN GOLF EXPO AND FORUM
The mission of the African American Golf EXPO and Forum is to promote the game, the business the industry the careers, and the opportunities in the $84 Billion golf industry to African Americans.
The objectives of the EXPO are to :
1) Promote economic growth, diversity, and inclusion in golf to African Americans and other underrepresented groups
2) Provide a friendly and welcoming environment for golf industry leaders to develop relationships with African Americans who are entrepreneurs, community programmers, and golf enthusiasts.
3) Help grow the industry by featuring subject matter experts in learning forums, seminars, and networking opportunities
4) Provide funding to grassroots organizations involved in teaching and promoting golf to the African American community.
Register at www.aagolfexpo.com/register-here to attend the EXPO and make your room reservations
