Rev. Kevin J. Cooper, Sr., a native of Cleveland, Ohio, is the youngest of four children born to the Late Lillie and Joseph Cooper. He is happily married to his lovely wife, Yolanda Cooper, and they are the proud parents of one son, Kevin J. Cooper, Jr. Rev. Cooper is a graduate of the Law and Public Service Magnet High School in Cleveland and was a member of its inaugural graduating class. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Ohio State University and later received a Master of Divinity degree from Payne Theological Seminary.

His professional journey began at Huckleberry House, a homeless shelter for teenagers in Columbus, Ohio, where he served as a youth outreach specialist. Upon returning to Cleveland, Rev. Cooper continued his work with young people and families at Westhaven Youth Shelter. There, he developed The Family Preservation Program, which evolved into The Family Advocacy Program, where he served as Program Coordinator. He later worked as a case manager at Volunteers of America, a shelter for men experiencing homelessness.

While completing his undergraduate studies, Rev. Cooper accepted his call to preach the Gospel. After receiving his ministerial license, he served as an associate minister at St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Columbus and Cleveland and at St. James A.M.E. Church in Cleveland. He also served as a supply pastor at St. Andrews A.M.E. Church in Coshocton, Ohio. In 1999, a new chapter of leadership began when Bishop Henry A. Belin Jr. appointed Rev. Cooper to Greater Morris Chapel A.M.E. Church in Farrell, Pennsylvania. There, he guided both spiritual and physical renewal, leading efforts to renovate the parsonage and church, including the installation of a concrete wheelchair-accessible ramp, new carpet, and central air conditioning.

Building on this momentum, Rev. Cooper was called in 2005 to serve as Senior Pastor of Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, by Bishop Robert V. Webster. Embracing the legacy of the church and the footsteps of those before him, he led Lee Chapel into a new era, overseeing the installation of a new roof, a complete kitchen renovation, and the addition of advanced media technology. Under his guidance, the congregation self-financed a brand-new HVAC system, a testament to his vision and stewardship.

A decade and a half later, in October 2019, Rev. Cooper was selected by Bishop Frank Madison Reid Ill to become Senior Pastor of the Historic St. Paul A.M.E. Church in Columbus, Ohio. There, he led crucial facility upgrades, including the renovation of the church annex and securing funding to replace the concrete wheelchair ramp, further affirming his commitment to accessibility and excellence in ministry.

Most recently, on December 29, 2021, Rev. Cooper embraced a new assignment as Pastor of United A.M.E. Church in Xenia, Ohio, under the appointment of Bishop Errenous Earl McCloud. Energized and expectant, he looks forward to the continued unfolding of God's purpose through the people and ministry of United A.M.E. Church.