BROADCASTS.com

Taikein Cooper has a deep affection and strong commitment to local politics and helping youth engage in the American political process.Born in historic Prince Edward County, one of the five counties in the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, Cooper is a 2006 graduate from both Southside Virginia Community College and Prince Edward County High School. He has lived in Virginia his entire life, except to attend college at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.\xa0Long before Taikein could drive, he was canvassing throughout Virginia\u2019s communities as\xa0an 11 year old to help elect his D.A.R.E (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) teacher, Travis Harris, as Prince Edward County\u2019s Sheriff.\xa0During his college years, Taikein led various political action committees, served on the prestigious Chancellor\u2019s Search Committee and even led a grassroots effort to Jena, LA, calling for justice for the infamous Jena Six.\xa0After graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 2010, he returned to his true passion, fighting for the betterment of the people of Virginia. As a substance abuse counselor in Chesapeake, VA, he saw first-hand how political decisions affect the social welfare of constituents.