Ebonie Johnson CooperRacepoint Global's Ebonie Johnson Cooper

“Nobody wants to be lied to. Be straight up.” That’s the advice of Racepoint Global’s Ebonie Johnson Cooper to reach the lucrative Millennial generation.

Cooper, a senior account executive at Racepoint’s Washington, D.C. office, spoke Sept. 30 at The National Press Club in D.C.

Cooper counts herself as one of the 83.1 million Millennials (born between the early 1980s and early 2000s) in the U.S. according to Census Bureau estimates released in June, exceeding the 75.4 million Baby Boomers.

When Millennials go to a company’s website they want to read what others are saying about its products or services, Cooper explained. Online reviews and comments are highly valued as well as any incentives a company can offer, according to Cooper.

E-mail is the preferred route to reach Millennials, Cooper stressed. “Don’t text us, that’s for our friends."

“Meet Millennials where they are.” Cooper noted. Social media is where they do their watching, searching, reading, researching, reviewing, connecting and posting.

Millennials are altruistic, independent

Millennials want to work for a company that shares their beliefs and they want to know that the company cares about the community, Cooper explained. “Your giving matters to Millennials. We are the biggest altruistic generation there is,” she said.

Companies can attract Millennials to work for them by recognizing their ideas and offering co-leadership opportunities, according to Cooper. “Be a mentor, don’t be a boss.”

This is a time of growth and change for Millennials. Cooper pointed out that they might only stay at a job for three years and then seek a more advanced opportunity.

With their energy and vast technical and social media skills, Cooper believes Millennials will continue to be in demand at corporations in the U.S. and all over the world. They will also be driven to excel in their careers and to remain loyal and buy products from companies that offer the most value to them.

Cooper is a speaker on Millennial and diversity topics, has addressed the United Nations Foundation and BoardSource and has appeared on HLN TV. Her work has been featured in The Washington Post and HuffPost Impact.