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Arshay Cooper To Inspire Youth Through Story Of Resilience And Opportunity
Free public event Nov. 13, 2025
(October 31, 2025) — Creative Oklahoma and RIVERSPORT OKC are proud to welcome rower and national speaker Arshay Cooper, renowned author of USA Today’s No. 1 best seller Let Me Be Real with You and the acclaimed memoir A Most Beautiful Thing, as the featured speaker on Nov. 13, 2025, at 6 p.m. at the Devon Boathouse, 608 Riversport Drive in Oklahoma City. The event is part of the Imagine & Inspire Speaker Series.
Attendance is free and open to the public; no registration is required.
Cooper’s presentation, “Beyond Rowing: How Belief and Opportunity Transform Lives,” reflects on his journey from a challenging upbringing to joining the first all-Black high school rowing team. His story highlights the transformative power of education, mentorship, and opportunity—encouraging youth to break barriers, embrace learning, and realize their full potential.
In Let Me Be Real with You, Cooper explores how living with courage—even amid self-doubt—can change everything. “My story is messy. Yours might be, too,” said Cooper. “But when I stopped running from those messy parts and started owning them, everything changed.”
Arshay’s story will resonate with everyone,” said Mike Knopp, founder of the RIVERSPORT OKC Foundation and board member of Creative Oklahoma. “His message invests in Oklahoma’s youth, inspiring teamwork, discipline, perseverance, and new opportunities in rowing and paddlesports—all to promote positive youth development across the state.”
Oklahoma City is one stop on Cooper’s nationwide book tour. Books will be available for purchase and signing at the event.
This event is sponsored by the Oklahoma Business Roundtable and RIVERSPORT OKC. Organizations interested in sponsoring may contact Creative Oklahoma at info@creativeok.org.