Copyright The Boston Globe
On his personal Facebook page, Cook describes himself as a “Drum major for justice, peace and righteousness.” His LinkedIn page lists his specialties as hospitality management, government relations, and “building bridges between diverse sectors.” Honored as ‘100 Men of Color’ In September, he was suited in a tuxedo, celebrating his recognition as one 2025’s “100 Men of Color.” “Honored. Humbled. Inspired,” he wrote in a post on his LinkedIn page. The Archer Foundation sponsored the event in Hartford, celebrating the contributions of men of color in education, business, and government, and recognizing their impact on the Connecticut and western Massachusetts communities. A month before that, the Back to School Brighter Initiative, the non-profit Cook co-founded, marked 10 successful years of providing underprivileged children in Springfield with free haircuts, backpacks, and school supplies before the first day of school. But by Tuesday night, Cook was headed to jail after he was arrested during a traffic stop, prompted by the interception of the 8 kilos. Healey immediately terminated Cook as deputy director of her Western Massachusetts Office where he earned $115,688 a year. Not guilty pleas to drug, gun charges. Prosecutors said investigators seized another 13 kilos, or nearly 29 pounds, found in two other suspicious packages earlier this month when they were delivered to Hotel UMass in Amherst — where Cook had worked as hospitality director for nearly seven years. On Wednesday, Cook, who is being held at the Hampden County Jail, pleaded not guilty to charges of trafficking 200 grams or more of cocaine, unlawful gun and ammunition possession, and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, records show. He has a detention hearing scheduled for 9 a.m. Friday in Springfield District Court. A background in hospitality, hotel management. Cook earned a bachelor’s of arts degree in political science and government at Western New England University in Springfield, and a certificate in hospitality administration and management at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. Cook’s LinkedIn page shows a resume with 20 years experience in hotel management, including jobs with Marriott and Hilton. In 2015, he lost a bid for Springfield City Council. Two years later, in 2017, he also ran unsuccessfully for the school board. As a school board candidate, he promoted raising the minimum GPA for student athletes. Healey lauded him as a leader in 2023. When Healey appointed Cook in April 2023, she touted his nonprofit work with children, his work as director of Hotel UMass, and his membership with the Springfield Community Preservation Committee and the board of the Massachusetts Lodging Association. In announcing his role, Healey described Cook and Kristen Elechko, the director of the office, as “two proven leaders with deep ties to Western Mass.” “They know the communities, they know the businesses, they know the needs and opportunities of the region,” she said. Cook’s social media accounts illustrate prolific attendance at community fundraisers, youth sports events, cancer walks and runs. A stream of snapshots show Cook with students at an annual recruitment fair for historically Black colleges, attending flag-raising events honoring African heritage and Juneteenth, and standing shoulder to shoulder with state leaders celebrating Black History Month at the State House on Beacon Hill. Beacon Hill honors for black excellence. Early in the year, Cook acknowledged his receipt of the “Black Excellence in Massachusetts on the Hill Award.” “Thank you to the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for this recognition,” Cook wrote “Grateful to be part of a community that uplifts and inspires!” Two months later, Cook was presented with the 2025 “Community Builder Award” from the Urban League of Springfield. A drug delivery marked GOLD. Cook is suspected of trafficking major quantities of cocaine and prosecutors say that several of the seized kilos were emblazoned with the phrase “GOLD,” leading investigators to believe a cartel may have supplied them. According to court records, federal authorities seized two suspicious parcels in Kentucky on Oct. 8, containing an estimated 12 kilos. The final address on both parcels was “UMASS HOTEL, ATTN HOTEL GUEST: MORGAN GORDON, 1 CAMPUS CENTER WAY AMHERST, MA, 01003,” the filing said. The packages allegedly were sent from “Auto Best Parts, 2589 James Drive, Atlanta, GA 30318.” Several kilos in the packages had the phrase “GOLD” imprinted on them, court filings said. Local investigators “have seized several dozen kilograms of cocaine over the years and have never seen this particular imprint before,” the filing said. “Due to my training and experience I know that drug cartels will commonly imprint or mark their kilograms of narcotics in order to link it to their particular brand,” the document said.
