You are cordially invited to a Community Cocktail Reception on November 20th to learn more about Friends of Detroit Rowing’s (FODR) outreach programs in the City of Detroit. We will be celebrating the partnership between FODR and A Most Beautiful Thing Inclusion Fund (AMBTIF), co-founded by Arshay Cooper — rower, award-winning author, and the central figure of the acclaimed documentary A Most Beautiful Thing. Arshay will be in Detroit on November 20 to meet with local youth and celebrate this new collaboration. He’ll be speaking at Cass Tech and Renaissance High Schools during the day, and in attendance at the community cocktail reception from 6:00–8:00 PM. Please use the QR code on the attached invitation or use the link below to register through Eventbrite for FREE admission to the reception. Registration
Since its founding in 2021, AMBTIF has introduced thousands of under-resourced young people to the sport of rowing, sparking national initiatives like the MLK Day of Service “DAY ON” and community rowing events that bring together local police and residents. The partnership between AMBTIF and FODR is a meaningful step forward in our shared mission to expand access to rowing for youth from historically under-served neighborhoods. Together, we aim to offer hundreds more young people the chance to experience the sport, build teamwork, and benefit from mentorship, academic support, and leadership development.
About Arshay Cooper:
Arshay grew up on the West Side of Chicago in a neighborhood impacted by gang violence. In 1997, he joined — and later captained — the country’s first all-Black high school rowing team at Manley High School, an experience that transformed his life. He went on to serve two years with AmeriCorps, attended Le Cordon Bleu, and became a personal chef for WWE, Warner Brothers, and professional athletes. Eventually, Arshay returned to his true calling: working with young people and using rowing as a tool for change.