It was all a dream…
Literally, Follow Your Dreams.
This entire project began when Chris Cooley (CEO & Co-Founder) had a literal dream about creating a comic with his friend Tony Martin, inspired by their friendship and personal challenges.
Check out this video interview from March 2024, where Chris talks with Spezzano & Sandy about that dream and how it sparked the origin of the company.
Live your values…
Be A Catalyst for Change.
Soon after Chris proposed the idea for the comic and company, he and Tony sat down at Chris’ dining room table. In less than two hours, they had created a character that embodied the core values they both strive to live by. That character was Catalyst — and with him, the Cooley Comics vibe was born.
To combat Loneliness…
One Book Ignites A Culture.
Chris and Tony brought in their friend Ajani Jeffries to create a video, document the project, and help launch a Kickstarter campaign that raised over $6,000 to fund the comic’s production. Ajani contributed spirit, professionalism, and a unique perspective that’s now deeply woven into the culture of Cooley Comics. It could have ended with just one book — but this was only the beginning.
This is the Kickstarter video that started a movement (August 2023).
This news segment highlights the first, City of Rochester Comic Empowerment Awards (a culmination of our AI Comic Labs).
Try saying ‘no’ to the universe…
Empowering Youth.
After raising the funds to produce their first comic book, Chris, Tony, and Ajani invited colleagues to a free session to showcase the digital tools they were using to bring the book to life. Jeff Bostic opened the doors to his media lab and asked the team to share their process with the youth in his programs. At first, they said “no” — but (thankfully) Jeff was persistent. His encouragement led to the creation of AI Comic Labs. Cooley Comics hosted its first workshop in November 2023 and has since worked with hundreds of young people.
social impact by the numbers…
We Are Committed.
At our core, we strive to be change agents—living with authenticity, truth, and honor. As a for-profit company, we collaborate with nonprofits to bridge public and private sectors, sharing knowledge and resources through meaningful partnerships. With arts and innovation increasingly cut from school budgets, we’re reimagining how creative industries can build stronger talent pipelines and sustainable funding models. Every day, we’re proving what’s possible.
Our story is written…
Patient & Sustainable Growth.
Remember, all of this began as a divine dream—and we remain committed to following the universal plan. Every decision we make is rooted in building lasting relationships. As we grow, we continuously ask ourselves: Are we being present and supporting at least one person every day?
That mindset is guiding us toward some powerful milestones: 40+ paid internships, thousands of hours of paid training, over $100,000 in youth compensation, and 180+ comics created by youth in Rochester—all in the year ahead. It’s also setting the stage for expansion into new markets and states.
We’re grateful to be living our purpose each day and excited for the next evolution of this journey we’re all on together.
Together, We Can Change the Narrative.
Be seen. be heard. have fun.
#Optimism
Cooley Comics is a social enterprise based in Rochester that uses creative storytelling and cutting-edge technology to empower young adults and communities through interactive comic book workshops. We collaborate with the Rochester Public Library and other community groups to help participants develop digital literacy and career skills while producing meaningful, personal stories in the form of printed comics. We also hire and train young people in Rochester who normally wouldn’t have access to high paying, creative jobs. We all embody a passion for blending education, creativity, and technology to inspire personal growth and positive social impact.
