We had the good fortune of connecting with Dr. Delonia Minor-Cooley and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dr. Delonia, what do you want people to remember about you?
I want my legacy to be that I made an impression on those I met. I want to be known for the impact that I made on people and their lives. I have lived my life according to the principle of “each one, reach one”. I want for the conversation to be, “Yeah, Dr. Cooley was hard at times, but she honest and only wanted the best for me.”

I want people to remember my pursuit of the best for all those around me including my family and myself. I want to be remembered for how much I cared, but also how much I required. I require a lot from those I think are not living up to their potential. I loved hard and pushed those to greatness even harder.

I once had a student tell me, “You were tough in class, but man, were you right! You may have been tough, but I knew you were because you cared.” I told that student what is the point of me doing any of this if I’m not going to make you better!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am a Marketing Professor at Texas Southern University. I am also the advisor to the Award-winning, American Marketing Association at TSU. I serve on the Collegiate Council Committee which is a sub-committee of the over American Marketing Association Group.
How did I get here? A LOT of prayer! The story is way too long for me to tell you the whole thing, so let me say this. My profession truly chose me. I just knew I was going to be owning and/or running a hospital as my career. I never thought I would end up being a Professor and in Marketing at that. Was my path easy? Absolutely not. I was lost when I didn’t make it being an engineer or a nurse (all things I thought I needed to major in). I was devastated when. I found out not everyone had my best interest in heart during my program, but Dr. Jeff Murray at the University of Arkansas saw me… truly saw me. He told me about how I could marry my passion for healthcare with Marketing while being a Professor and have I ever thought about it. Of course I had not, but I am glad I listened to him.
When I was in my Ph.D program, I was blessed to have the support of the Ph. D project which exposed me to so many colleagues that helped me along the way and became very good friends. It was this network that helped me overcome the challenges of my program. The knowledge tree I could pick from was enormous and so vast. I didn’t think I was going to graduate at one point because I had my oldest son during the program. It is hard enough to be in the program, much less, trying to start a family while doing it.

I’ve learned that you must have a network of people that are willing to support you and that have shared the same challenges that you have. You must have something or someone that keeps you grounded in the reality of “you can do this, so don’t give up”. I must have faith in yourself and faith in a higher power/God that what is for you is for you.

My brand is that I am a fighter and I will fight to get what is mine. I will push those around to the point of fighting for what is theirs as well. My story is not a pretty one. I lost more than most before I was even 18 – a sister, a dad, both grandparents. I got out of an abusive relationship with a guy that I just knew would be my “ever-after” not knowing my true Prince was waiting for me when I would join my Ph.D program in Memphis, TN. I almost lost my oldest son during my pregnancy due to the enormous amounts of stress I was under in my Ph.D program. But God… I fought and my momma prayed, so I could continue to tell my story.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If you come to Houston, you have to visit the downtown area and 3rd Ward!

The entire week, we would go to different places to eat. Some fancy and some the local spots that everyone knows has the best of the best. For example, you have to go to the Breakfast Club, Turkey Leg Hut, Pappadeaux’s, and of course, you have to go to the Reggae Hut and that’s just a few days of eating!

We would catch either a Rockets game or Texans if they are football friends. But, the night time would be saved for the bar area of Eddie V’s, M & S, and the City Center.

I’m more of a chill girlie, so nothing to crazy would be on the agenda.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout a couple of people:

My husband – he has been my rock and my best friend. He knows when I need a pep talk and he knows that I will push to the point of exhaustion, so he reminds me to take a break. He supports my every crazy idea and he’s always on the front row cheering me on.

My mother – I wouldn’t be the woman I am today without her inspiration and her prayers. She suffered so much loss when we were kids, but she NEVER stopped pushing me and my siblings to be the best version of ourselves. Even if that push required the spiritual laying of hands! LOL…

My father (rest in power) – when he was alive, he would tell us, “There are no dumb Minors (my maiden name).” He always instilled in us that education is power and always be in pursuit of it.

Dr. Barbara Lofton – she was not my official advisor, but she was a Black woman working in a position of power at one of the biggest SEC schools in the nation, THE University of Arkansas – Razorbacks. She was a constant influence on me and of what I can be one day. She showed me that with dedication, determination, and a push, I can be great!

Lastly, my kids – my kids have shown me what love “looks” like. No one tells you how much you could love another person until you have kids. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my husband, but my kids are a physical manifestation of what love looks. They are another reason I work so hard. I want to give them the world (in baby steps… they have to work too!) and I want them to see what it takes to accomplish your goals. So, I have to set an example.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-delonia-minor-cooley-73696516/

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