L. Cool's Story
“I used to get high right here on this porch,” Cool says, referring to the house that is now My Cup of Tea.
A product of Melrose High in Orange Mound, Cool dreamed of playing basketball beyond high school, but a knee injury shattered that dream. After high school, Cool gave birth to a daughter while in prison. After her release, she spent much of her time getting high.
When her daughter was 4 years old, L. Cool made the gut-wrenching decision to give up custody of her daughter and enter rehab. After three tries, L. Cool earned her sobriety on November 1st, 1996.
L. Cool eventually reunited with her daughter, who introduced her to My Cup of Tea. Now L. Cool says life is less stressful. She stopped smoking and feels like she's part of something important.
Cool is the groundskeeper, maintenance staff, and an entrepreneur. She refurbishes furniture on the side.
And that daughter born while Cool was in jail? She is now a Memphis police officer.
