Susan G. Cooper is a business owner, philanthropist, voting rights activist, community leader, fair housing, and homeownership advocate. Susan has more than 30 years of experience in banking, financial planning, business and investment banking, mortgage lending and the real estate industry. One of Susan’s greatest accomplishments was during the historical 2020 presidential elections, the 2020 and 2022 senate runoff for Georgia’s two U.S. Senate seats. She spearheaded and led the Get Out the Vote and Voter Mobilization initiatives for Columbus, the SW Region, and the state of Georgia. She received the John R. Lewis Good Trouble Social Action Award, NAACP C.A. Brother Love Exemplary Service Community Advocate Award and National Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award; signed by President Joe Biden. After transitioning out of the Urban League In 2021, Susan established a 501c3 public charitable foundation, the SGC Community Impact and Empowerment Foundation, to continue helping our community help those who need it the most. Hosting the first ever Heal the Land “Mega Gospel Explosion Charity Concert” featuring national gospel recording artists. Another greatest accomplishment was her work and twenty-year banking career with Wells Fargo/Wachovia from 1989 to 2009 and serving the Urban League of Greater Columbus as a board member in 2004 as a board member, Board Chair from 2005 to 2007.

In 2008 while transitioning out of Wachovia at the brink of the economic recession, mortgage meltdown, and global financial crisis she combined her banking, mortgage lending and real estate sales experience, opened Centennial Realty & Mortgage Company. At that time The Urban League board of directors called her back in 2012 to rebuild and reopen the doors, regain the HUD Housing Certification, and lead the organization through change, adversity, and an economic recession — all while running and operating two businesses. She lent her name and time to the Urban League to lead the charge to rebirth, save and sustain the organization. She rebuilt relationships, enhanced programming, and regained funding. Along with young professional Shay Peterson she reestablished the Young Professionals to ensure the lifeblood and vitality of the organization. Susan also reestablished a standalone city-wide summer youth jobs and career path training program, hiring hundreds of youths, and placing them in jobs throughout the city to help break the cycle to property, prevent crime and ensure that youth earn their way through life. Her work of standing in the gap without taking a salary from the organization and her vision ensured the Urban League would remain in the Columbus community to celebrate its 50th Anniversary and remain for generations to come.