Arba Cooper

"She Leaps and SCORES"

Upfront Business Magazine Upfront Business Magazine

When Reggie asked to feature my recent acceptance of Buffalo Niagara SCORE Chapter Chair in the first anniversary issue of Upfront Business Magazine, I was honored. I can’t believe one year has already passed since he published the first issue. It’s even harder to believe that when I met Reggie six years ago he could barely type an email…LOL. Seriously, I am very proud of Reggie and all of the WNY Minority Media Professionals for taking action to achieve their goals.

We chose the cover title “She Leaps and SCORES” based on the term “leap of faith” which is defined as an act of believing in or attempting something whose existence or outcome cannot be proved. My successes and failures in life are the results of the choices I made – good or bad. Either way I kept leaping through life not knowing where I would land. The bible says “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:17

If you read a bio of my accomplishments, it wouldn’t mention all the trials and tests that I experienced along the way. My life story is actually a testimony. We all have testimonies but what are we testifying to? The definition of a testimony is evidence in support of a fact or statement and an open declaration of our profession of faith. Therefore, if we say we are Christians, what proof can we show? Our testimony should provide evidence in support of our profession of faith.

I decided to share my life story because it’s my testimony of what God has done in my life. It cannot be disputed. My faith grew through my life circumstances because I experienced God’s continuous presence with me. I’m going to relate my testimony to what the Apostle Paul was saying in Romans 12 (NIV) about Living Sacrifices and Love.

Leap into Life

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1

I was born in 1965 in Lockport, NY. I am the only daughter of Morries and Annie Gibson. I am very proud to say they are still together after 55 years of marriage. I will always honor my parents because they instilled so many great values in me and my brothers - by their words and actions. I regularly attended church but I was by no means a perfect child. At a very young age I strived to do my best because I understood that God was always watching me. I was a very active and inquisitive child. Through the support of my parents, I did not fear challenges. I received a lot of awards in school and my parents were proud of me. By the time I got to high school, things started to change. I was influenced by smoking, drugs, alcohol, sex and other bad behaviors.

1970