Before Herb Kent "The Cool Gent," Don Cornelius and so many others, there was Jack L. Cooper, who pioneered a Black radio empire in Chicago. Pioneering host Jack Cooper modeled success as broadcaster, businessman Before Herb Kent "The Cool Gent," before Don Cornelius, before Bernadine C. Washington, before Roy Wood Sr., Yvonne Daniels, Daddy-O Daylie, "The Baron of Bounce" Lucky Cordell, Jockey Jack or Al Benson, there was Jack L. Cooper. Read Story Related articles: Willie Round's 'Lawndale King' recounts the history that MLK made in North Lawndale Chess Records, Muddy Waters and the birth of urban blues music © Copyright 2026 Chicago Tribune. All rights reserved. 1000 Albion Avenue | Schaumburg, IL 60193-4549 Unsubscribe