Meet Jerome Cofield: President and Founder of the Empowerment 3D Inc. Program

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jerome Cofield and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jerome, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
This is such an amazing question. I came up with the idea for my business while walking down the hallway of an elementary school in 2006 where I was volunteering and mentoring the male students of that school. I asked a 9-year old student just as a conversation piece as we made our way to the storage closet that had been converted into a small room for me to meet with the students on a weekly basis. I asked the student, “What did you get for Christmas?” His answer to me was; Mr. Cofield I didn’t get anything for Christmas but my mama had surgery that took cancer out of her body so maybe I will get something for my birthday next week. His reply to my question unlocked my gift and passion for my business/organization. The following week my family and friends put some financial resources together and purchased items for his birthday and I started what was known as the Make a Child Smile Foundation in 2007. This foundation was organized to surprise well deserving families at Christmas and to furnish dorm rooms for graduating seniors who was starting their first year college as a freshman. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I stated earlier I was hired in the school that I am presently in now after thirty years of non-employment in 2015 as a behavior specialist to mentor many of the young men that needed just a little guidance along the way daily and to stay on course. What set’s me apart is that at age nineteen in 1986 I suffered a stroke that left me unable to walk and bedridden but after extensive physical therapy I learned to walk again but two later 1988 at the age of twenty-one I suffered a second stroke, once again unable to walk and bedridden and at this time it was suggested that I apply for social security disability because no one would ever hire me because of me being a liability to anybody’s company. In 1991 I accepted and embraced going on disability because this year I was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre’ Transverse Myelitis Syndrome that caused me to be paralyzed in both legs from my waist down, my left arm paralyzed, my right arm partially paralyzed and my vocal cords paralyzed at this moment I gave up on life.
Because my daddy left me when I was eight years old during this time I blamed him for my sickness and I found myself growing angrier at him because I felt had he stayed with me I would have gotten better health care because my mother couldn’t do it all by herself as a single parent. I found myself telling myself every day for about twenty years you will be absolutely nothing and not only did I tell myself that I began to believe that. One day something clicked in me and I began to write a vision and began to tell myself who I was and the pain, shame and hurt that I had felt for years that every young man I come in contact with my organization would help change their thoughts about themselves. It was definitely not easy because every day there was a mental fight daily that challenged me that said how can you of all people with no postsecondary education tell others who they can and cannot be. I would want the world to know that because of my commitment to bring about change in the community in 2016 the organization changed from being the Make a Child Smile Foundation to Empowerment 3D Inc. where we now mentor in three-dimension where we now mentor Fathers, Sons, and Students. Where we are now bridging the gap between fathers and their sons and challenging male students to stay in school, dress for success, and be the best they can be. This organization has landed us on platforms and stages that I never dreamed of. Once a month in Lagrange, Ga. we host what we call The Empowerment Regional Breakfast “The Breakfast for Champions” where we invite young men to come and have breakfast with us from the region and counties; from the Atlanta Metro Area, Newnan, Ga. Columbus, Ga. Troup County, Heard County, Coweta County, Randolph County, Harris County, Chambers County, Dekalb County to name a few at this breakfast we ignite them and we empower them.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First I have to thank God almighty, had it not been for Him saving me I would not be who I am today, Christopher L. Evans Sr. Senior Pastor of Destiny Church Lagrange who brought out and helped me to see what I could not see within me, Ms. Debra Brock who gave me my first job after thirty years of non-employment due to a pre-existing condition due to sickness and last but not least my wife, Mrs. Regina R. Cofield who has stood by my side for thirty-four years and has encouraged me every step of the way, even when I would through the towel in, not only would she make me pick the towel up again she would make me try again. The list could go on and on.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empowerment3dInc

Other: https://www.facebook.com/jerome.cofield.10/