Meet Robert Cooper Jr.

Founder of Young Men Becoming Men
Millennial Trauma Expert | Mentor | Family Engagement Specialist

I didn’t grow up with the ideal conditions for success.
I grew up in a home where I experienced consistent verbal and emotional abuse. My parents often argued, and as a teenager, I didn’t have the tools to express my pain or process what was happening around me. I carried emotional wounds that no one could see — and it started to show up in school. I struggled with focus, confidence, and communication.

At 20 years old, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, and the stress I carried silently through my childhood caught up with my body. The illness became physical — but it was rooted in unspoken emotional trauma. For years, I suffered not just from Crohn’s, but from deep unforgiveness, especially around my father. I wanted him to be present. I wanted to be seen.

But I refused to let my environment condition my mindset.
By age 24, I made the decision to heal — from the inside out. That journey led me to study trauma, youth development, and family dynamics. I began mentoring young men who, just like me, were struggling with pain they couldn’t always put into words. My past became my purpose.

Why I Founded Young Men Becoming Men

I created this organization to be what I needed when I was younger:

• A safe space.

• A consistent male mentor.

• A leadership voice that speaks life into young men.

• A bridge for parents who are doing their best but need new tools.

Through G.O.A.T. Leadership (Greatness Over Adversity and Trauma), workshops, mentorship, and family engagement, I now help boys rewrite their story and reclaim their power.

I’ve been privileged to speak at schools, colleges, and community centers — and I’ve witnessed firsthand what happens when a young man feels seen, supported, and challenged to rise.