Adrian Cook is the Project Director for Let Our Voices Empower (L.O.V.E.), a non-profit organization dedicated to reducing youth violence and creating opportunities for at-risk youth and families. His leadership is not only professional but deeply personal. Having overcome homelessness and sexual abuse as a child, Adrian understands firsthand the challenges that many young people face. His early life led him down a difficult path, culminating in two separate federal prison sentences that totaled over 18 years. During his time in prison, Adrian made a powerful decision to transform his life. He spent his incarceration writing several books, one of which was published in 2015. He also enrolled in the Residential Drug Adaptation Program (RDAP), a behavior modification course where he became a peer mentor.

Through his mentorship, Adrian formed life-long bonds with fellow inmates, encouraging them to adopt new belief systems that would lead to better life choices—lessons he continues to share today. Adrian co-created and facilitated a Life Development course with his business partner, Toby Hunter, designed to empower individuals to find balance in the three most important areas of life: physical, intellectual, and spiritual. His efforts within the prison walls helped his peers and deepened his commitment to service and self-improvement. In 2017, Adrian was granted clemency by President Barack Obama, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life. Since his release, he has remained unwavering in his commitment to his community, particularly focusing on engaging youth and encouraging them to make positive choices.

As a speaker and mentor, Adrian draws from his own experiences to show young people that no matter their circumstances, they have the power to change their futures. Today, Adrian leads L.O.V.E. with the same dedication and passion that helped him transform his own life. The organization’s approach focuses on mentoring, life coaching, workforce development, and trauma-informed care to disrupt the cycle of poverty and violence. Adrian’s personal journey of overcoming adversity allows him to connect deeply with the youth and families he serves, offering them hope and a path toward a better life. Adrian resides in Hampton, Virginia, and is the proud father of five children. Three of his children are in college, one is a college graduate, and his youngest is in junior high. He is currently working on his next book, One Heart at a Time , which continues his mission to inspire and uplift others. His story is a testament to the power of second chances and the impact one person can have on their community.