Corvain Cooper was sentenced to life in prison without parole for conspiracy to distribute 40 tons of cannabis. But even behind bars, he refused to give up hope. As the bookie in prison, he stayed busy, found ways to support his family, and never stopped believing that he would one day be free. In 2021, after years of fighting for justice and an outpouring of public support, he was granted clemency by President Donald Trump.
On this episode of For Good podcast, Joseph "JoJo" Simmons sits down with Corvain to unpack his incredible journey from incarceration to co-founding 40 Tons, a Black-owned, justice-focused cannabis brand that’s advocating for equity in the industry. Corvain opens up about the harsh realities of prison, how he adjusted to life after a life sentence, and the ongoing struggles formerly incarcerated people face, even after release.
They also get into:
- How Corvain maintained his love life while locked up and the reality of relationships in prison.
- Valuable insights on mindset and mental health.
- Fatherhood and how they set the bar high for their daughters' future boyfriends.
Links and Resources:
- Follow @corvaincooper on Instagram
- Follow @forgoodpodcast on Instagram
Subscribe to the For Good podcast on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you get your podcasts.
Timestamps:
- 00:00:00 Welcome to For Good
- 00:00:59 Cannabis “Kingpin” Sentenced to Life
- 00:03:41 From One Ounce to 40 Tons
- 00:05:13 Building the 40 Tons Brand
- 00:05:42 Breaking Down the Three Strikes Rule
- 00:06:22 Granted Clemency by President Trump
- 00:07:24 Understanding Conspiracy Charges
- 00:09:14 Supporting Families of Incarcerated Individuals
- 00:12:37 Creating Opportunities for Black and Brown Cannabis Entrepreneurs
- 00:14:42 Stock Trading from Prison: Hustling Behind Bars
- 00:15:53 “I Never Believed I’d Die in Jail”
- 00:17:57 Parenting from Prison: Staying Connected
- 00:19:05 Reclaiming Fatherhood Post Prison
- 00:21:04 Setting Standards for Men in Your Daughter’s Life
- 00:21:38 Do My Kids Think I’m Cool?
- 00:23:31 Holding Onto Faith: Surviving and Thriving
- 00:27:43 Maintaining a Romantic Relationship While Incarcerated
- 00:30:25 TikTok Influencers Behind Bars: A New Trend
- 00:32:04 What’s Next for 40 Tons: Future Projects
- 00:34:46 Managing Mental Health by Talking to God
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