Kingsley Cooper, attorney-at-law, fashion and entertainment trailblazer, and founder and Chairman of Pulse Investments Ltd, has passed away at the age of 71. He died surrounded by his family at the HCA Kendall Hospital in Miami, FL on June 18, 2024.
Cooper, born on June 3, 1953, in Kingston, Jamaica, received his education at Kingston College, the University of the West Indies, and the Norman Manley Law School. He practiced law from 1975 to 1980 before dedicating himself to the establishment and growth of Pulse Investments.
In December 1979, Cooper co-founded Pulse alongside Hilary Phillips. Under his visionary leadership, Pulse revolutionized the Caribbean fashion and entertainment industry. The company pioneered and developed an international modeling industry for the Caribbean, discovering and nurturing supermodels and other international stars. Pulse created new opportunities for local and international talent in music and fashion, producing renowned events such as Reggae SuperJam and Caribbean Fashion Week. These events featured headliners including Chaka Khan, The Commodores, Run DMC, Kelly Rowland, Brian McKnight, Billy Ocean, Dennis Brown, and Peter Tosh.
One of Cooper's notable achievements was the establishment of the Peter Tosh Museum at Pulse’s headquarters on 38a Trafalgar Road, Kingston, further cementing his influence and contribution to Caribbean culture.
Under Cooper’s guidance, Pulse diversified its operations to include media, real estate, and hospitality. It was the first company of its kind to be listed on the Jamaica Stock Exchange in the mid-2000s. The company's portfolio expanded to encompass model agency representation, multimedia production, marketing, show production, and promotion. It also ventured into the real estate market with Villa Ronia properties through leasehold sub-letting and developed its own studio, filming, and editing facilities.
Cooper's leadership led to numerous innovations for Jamaica and the Caribbean, including the Caribbean Model Search, the highly acclaimed lifestyle TV program Caribbean Fashion Weekly, and the regional fashion reality TV show The Search for the Caribbean's Next Supermodel. His efforts earned him the Order of Distinction in the rank of Commander in 2007.
Kingsley Cooper is survived by his daughter, Safia Cooper, who is the current CEO of Pulse Investments Limited. His legacy as an innovator, extraordinary leader, father, husband, and visionary will be remembered and cherished by many. The Caribbean fashion and entertainment industry has lost a true pioneer, and his impact will be felt for generations to come.
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