We recently connected with Xandria and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Xandria thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard.
The BlackOUT Company is media by us, for us. Unfortunately, a lot of the queer movies have straight actors, the black movies have white directors, the people at the top making decisions are not the people they are pandering to. We focus mainly on centering the authentic stories of underrepresented people.
Xandria, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I’m Xandria aka Xandy Sweet Like Candy aka The Genreless Genius, and I like to call myself a multi-hyphenated creative! I’m a writer, director, actor, singer/songwriter, rapper, video editor, producer, and more. I am also the Artistic Director of The BlackOUT Company: a creative hub of theatre, film, art, music, and events for people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and beyond. We combine art and activism to spread peace and love (and a good time) throughout our community. Our events are always different, giving you an alternative to the club life! Speed dating, film screenings, game nights, open mics and karaoke, park dates, drive-in experiences- you name it, we’ve done it or will do it!
I’m overjoyed our series Chill. is finally coming back for Season 2! It was my very first web-series about being young, gay, and in love and somehow we reached over a MILLION views in just a few months! I’m also really proud to be one of the first black owned queer collectives to partner with a lot of your favorite venues around Atlanta to bring dope NEW events to the community (Mother, Joystick, Hippin Hops, GA Beer Garden, Dad’s Garage, etc.)!
Have you ever had to pivot?
I have actually been on hiatus for a while now. From 2020-2021, I had a great run of pivoting to digital content, releasing my first album, and creating innovative covid-safe events! Unfortunately for me, I had no idea of the traumatic events to come. Within a few months I saved my dad’s life, lost my grandmother and both of my childhood cats, had a falling out with my closest friend, and broke up with my partner of three years. I was immobilized. After a while of living in a fog, you kind of just… wake up. For me that moment came to me on my birthday (in November). I looked up and was like, “What have I been doing for 2 years?” The kind answer: living in my grief. The brutal answer: focusing on the wrong shit. So I woke up, crafted a two year plan, and here we are! BlackOUT is back producing Chill. and other films, I am managing the rapper Lil Izzy Fashoo and my own music career (XANDRIA.), and I have been acting in some new works! And you can keep up with all of it on our socials, youtube, and website! If you want to hear my music I’m on all platforms as XANDRIA.! You have to put the period on it, honey!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I will give the advice that I also need to hear: BE CONSISTENT. Our socials were at their height when we posted consistent, relatable content. Don’t be afraid to talk to directly to your audience! You may only get one or two people to respond at first, but eventually you will build a relationship with your following. For youtube and your website, use eye catching language. Be direct about what they’re looking at, but don’t be afraid to spice it up!
Contact Info:
- Website: theblackoutcompany.com
- Instagram: @akaxandy @theblackoutcompany
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/alexandria-poole-4158b0192
- Twitter: @akaxandy
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@theblackoutcompany
Image Credits
first photo shot by Spice Cam Visuals