Joy Tellis Cooper has a bachelor's degree in accounting from Clark Atlanta University and a master's degree in business administration from Georgia Southern University. She is a member of Gamma Phi Delta Business and Professional Sorority, the National Black MBA Association, SBANA, and the Clark Atlanta University National Alumni Association, and has volunteered with the Clayton County Federation of Democratic Women (Founding Member), Adamson Middle School PTSA, and Women of CAU.

Joy currently works as an AR Manager for Werfen North America, a specialized diagnostics company. She previously worked as a talent acquisition partner for Harvest Sherwood Food Distributors, an accounts receivable accountant for Crawford & Company, a reconciliation manager for DS Services, a customer specialist for Atlanta Postal Credit Union, and a billing supervisor for Turner Broadcasting System.

Joy currently serves as the board member for Clayton County Public School's 8th District. She was first elected in 2021, and is serving her first term. Joy previously ran for Clayton County Public School Board's 8th District in 2018, but did not win.