We recently connected with Coco Wade and have shared our conversation below.

CoCo, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

Let’s talk about it. In fact, if we’re being honest, prior to launching my publication, I myself, as an independent artist, creator and public figure have been racked with disparities in a way of seeking earned media and noteworthy publicity. In 2011, I set out on a journey to discover prominent methodologies with linear connections to approaching like-minded talents, hopefuls, industry leaders, legends, moguls, small businesses, startups, record labels and of course indie artists who share a similar compassion for unveiling surreal truths behind the business!

Exxpose Magazine is an entertainment and lifestyle publication infused with fashion. Its emphasis compels the profound exploration of music, moguls, models and media. I have collectively established the platform as a dominant voice and a networking outlet for industry advocates to land extraordinary relationships and countless opportunities. We are currently celebrating over thirteen years, the release of over 122 issues and upwards of 475,800 readers. Exxpose Magazine’s evolving podcast, much like its past television series, features behind-the-scenes celebrity interviews and red carpet events. “Spiked Vibes with Exxpose Magazine Live” serves as a supernatural spin off of the publication itself. The series premieres on Exxpose Magazine’s YouTube channel as it provides up close and personal encounters with past, present or forthcoming cover story candidates. Our real-time, candid interviews, once featured on WDSU, WGNO and ABC television, highlights the essence of the entertainment industry as well as what’s to know and love about those who have helped to shape it. “Spiked Vibes with Exxpose Magazine Live” implores legends, influencers, industry leaders, moguls, talents, organizations, businesses and brands to embrace the culture of creative art in the form of expression by way of sharing some of the most arduous parts of their journey. For years, through productions, endeavors and selfless acts of contributing media aspects as well as public relations insights, readers of the publication have relied on editorials arousing an in-the-know conceptual intake. Serving as the publication’s founder/editor-in-chief, I am committed to ensuring that Exxpose Magazine pioneers as a vehicle to success for legendary and thriving entertainers in addition to trailblazers, moguls, businesses, brands and start-ups. ​

Exxpose Magazine’s recurring runway production entitled “Exxpose Your Beauty” has successfully featured over two hundred aspiring models amid fashion shows in Atlanta, New Orleans and Austin. Amongst its mission, the philanthropy effort embraced measures to encourage self-love and individual growth while bringing awareness to suicide prevention. Exxpose Magazine has set a prescience for achieving remarkable mile-markers while navigating through multiple cities, thereby nationalizing its publication, one hand-shake at a time. As founder/editor-in-chief I’ve set a record for remaining one of the first, if not the only, black female, independently owned and operated magazine publisher to release over 100 issues within a twelve year span (hailing from New Orleans). Our magazine’s readership is growing, our network is expanding and relationships are strengthening as we continue to far exceed industry expectations!

CoCo, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Sure, I can start out by saying, many of our readers may not know that I am a self-taught, magazine publisher/editor-in-chief. The fact that I saw an area of absenteeism within the entertainment industry. I noticed a void in media which continues to present issues related to the gap in coverage for underserved dreamers across the globe. My goal is to infuse a strong and consistent message that for instance; everyone has a story, regardless of their success or road to stardom; everyone has a story. What matters most when it comes to whether or not their plight to stardom will be shared on a major platform is typically based on the expertise and opinion of the journalist or blogger behind the editorial. Additionally, whether the brand or individual’s concept fits the media platform it is vying for. Being as though I ventured to launch an independent publication, I am afforded the opportunity to “Exxpose” the underdog, but in extraordinary facets.

I’m a self-taught, magazine founding editor-in-chief possessing the credentials of an expert writer. Equipped with a resume of not only publishing and coaching but as well, evolving as an international recording artists, producer, singer-songwriter, author, publicity and branding strategist, I have been fortunate to explore many aspects of journalism, given the fact that I have worked with a collective of over two thousand legends, talents, aspiring creators, entrepreneurs, businesses, brands and startups throughout the course of nearly two decades. Now with a well-versed outlook on life, and business myself, along with a dedicated team, my brand is able to embrace innovations building up to a standard of excellence in media.

A life-changing dilemma I faced; one that caused me to alter the trajectory of my career and future as an entrepreneur, was the moment I encountered rejection from a local publication promising to enlist aspiring talents I’d worked to support within my growing network. Being the person I am, I couldn’t bring myself to advise those who were in anticipation of media placement, that the rug had been snatched from under us. Instead, I developed a game-changing plan. As a result, on June 3, 2011, I launched my own publication in which they were all featured at once. This, of course, opened the door for countless other talents, brands and businesses to advertise and feature in www.ExxposeMagazine.net, and without fail we went on to publish 122 issues and counting. Since then we have featured Hollywood big screen actors, Grammy winners, legends, music industry greats, moguls, indie artists, entrepreneurs, community leaders, small business owners, startups and over two hundred aspiring models.

Our strength as it relates to discipline, evolves from consistency and an immense commitment to those we serve. As an independent publication, we, like many others, face challenges in relation to standing out in an extremely inundated industry. Nevertheless, we have innovated and excelled for over thirteen years and will continue to do so with the interests of dreamers around the world, our devoted network and growing readership.

Exxpose Magazine is a digital publication with print-on-demand services. Our publication has been celebrated for hosting exquisite red carpet events, runway fashion shows and music concerts since its inception. Many of which are linked to philanthropy efforts including but not limited to feeding families, bringing awareness to suicide prevention and building self-awareness while promoting self-love and individual growth. Through these endeavors, we have not only aided in providing solutions for reducing hunger in local communities but as well, these productions have assisted with inspiring others to realize their dreams. What sets us apart from any other publication is the fact that we as a brand, are not afraid to embrace what we refer to as “the underdog.” We all have a story, and when adequate work is done, we shall celebrate in unison by admirably exploiting the efforts of one individual’s attempt to move the industry and the world forward.

As founding editor-in-chief I am most proud of the fact that I’m the first black female independently owned and operated magazine publication to publish over 100 issues within a 12 years span, evolving from our originating domicile, New Orleans. Many publications of a similar realm, distribute or publish on a quarterly basis which means it would typically take 10 years to publish 40 magazine issues. We, one the other hand publish monthly and sometime bi-monthly. It is truly an honor to serve in this capacity. Exxpose Magazine is committed to spearheading the quiet-kept gems of surreal truths surrounding entertainment and lifestyle media forward.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Exxpose Magazine was once a print publication having started out with about 100 issues in circulation per month, approximately 25 copies a week. Somewhere around the eighteenth month mark, we decided to do some research and comparisons with regards to distribution and noticed that based on the “snail mail” process we had almost succumb to, we were on track to fail at getting our message heard. So, in an effort to expedite progress it was imperative that we convert to digital. In 2013, we digitized the publication completely. As a result, our readership grew by 70% almost immediately. Our message began to spread rapidly and with national reach.; and before long, we piqued the interest of an international audience as well.

But pivoting didn’t stop there. In 2020, like hundreds of thousands of brands, we had to pivot during the COVID-19 pandemic as well. This brought on an entire set of other challenges including but not limited to hardships, as did with countless other small businesses. Exxpose Magazine took this as yet another opportunity to further digitize and innovate.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

A story I can share with regards to my resilience is this…during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the first time ever Exxpose Magazine was forced to cancel several of our annual and recurring events including fashion shows and red carpet release parties. Several magazine issues were set to be published and unveiled. But unfortunately, we found ourselves re-postponing anticipated magazine releases and rescheduling public events left and right; time and time again. Therefore leaving us to streamline the structure and logistics of long-running productions. As a result, we leaned to counteract in every facet. Overall, those encounters motivated our team to look further into the future in hopes of projecting outcomes far in advance of casualties like such.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ExxposeMagazine.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamcocowade/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialExxposeMagazine/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coco-wade-73075b16a
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ExxposeMagazine
• Other: For advertising opportunities or magazine features email us: [email protected]

Image Credits

Photos by: Felton Langlois Jr @StudioSharpImages @SmallworldStudioProductions (CoCo Wade’s candid editor’s poses and Chef Donie Hogan’s cover), Lionel Griffin @NewOrderLensArt (Comedian DC Paul and Hip Hop Artist Lango’s cover), @Lou.D0llaz (Boxer JohnBoy’s cover) and Tina Bernard (Actress Kim Baptiste’s cover).