Acclaimed author, filmmaker, media trailblazer, and prominent storyteller L.A. Wade is set to captivate audiences once again with the double release of her highly anticipated book ‘The Adventures of a Recovering Sex Addict Vol. 2: Friends with Benefits but Mostly Liabilities’ and the accompanying short film, Thirsty AF: The Adventures of a Recovering Sex Addict. The launch will take place on November 15th at the prestigious Royal Cinema (608 College St) in Toronto with a screening of the film and a book signing by L.A. Wade. Occhi magazine had the opportunity to speak with L.A. Wade about the project and her illustrious career.
L.A Wade, thank you for agreeing to catch up with Occhi Magazine. You’re a successful executive Producer, writer, creative consultant, TV, Podcast and event host, reality TV star, and relational wellness educator. For readers unfamiliar with your background, what drew you to creating such a multifaceted career in the arts and entertainment?
I have always aspired to produce films and write books; however, during my formative years, I did not receive much encouragement in pursuing these passions. Many individuals misunderstood my neurodivergent thought processes as a weakness, attributing little or no value to them. It wasn’t until I began to fully embrace these aspects of myself that I found the ability to craft narratives that resonated with people on both relational and cultural levels.
As an educator, I frequently harnessed the power of popular culture as a medium to draw parallels and challenge the prevailing norms. I aimed to stimulate critical thinking across various platforms, recognizing that multimedia has assumed the role that Karl Marx once ascribed to religion, becoming the modern ‘opium of the people.’ Both religion and the media, especially social media, have, in many ways, taken on the role of shaping meaning and purpose. My intent was to contribute to the creation of meaning as a means of influencing the world toward a more compassionate and empathetic direction.
Who were your early influencers and how did they impact your career?
Witnessing the interplay between tragedy and comedy during my formative years provided me with a means of escaping to a new world. Shows like “The Carol Burnett Show,” “Benny Hill,” and “Are You Being Served” featured absurd skits that revealed how humor could deftly address even the most obscene and taboo situations. I often daydreamed about having a family akin to the one portrayed in “The Cosby Show,” desiring friends reminiscent of those in “A Different World.” Later, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” enlightened me on how political and cultural issues could be tactfully harnessed for educational purposes without imposing a specific message; it spoke to something more profound and universally resonant.
My perspective was significantly shaped by the wisdom of eminent thinkers like W.E.B. Du Bois and bell hooks. Intellectual luminaries and self-help figures, including Iyanla Vanzant, Oprah Winfrey, Joyce Myers, Creflo Dollar, TD Jakes, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Steven Furtick, and Holly Furtick, played pivotal roles in molding my worldview. As I define my creative identity in the current era, I am entranced by the way directors such as Ava DuVernay, Jordan Peele, Steven Spielberg, and Spike Lee adeptly unveil intricate concepts through human, musical, and visual narratives. These narratives often comprised stories within stories, evoking my profound admiration.
I am frequently likened to Issa Rae in terms of my brand evolution and strategic positioning for career advancement. I believe that I have inadvertently followed a similar trajectory. It wasn’t a conscious effort; I was merely pursuing what was significant to me. By any means necessary, I aimed to disseminate the message that critical thinking and accountability can reveal truths that guide us through uncertain times. As I completed one project, I naturally transitioned to the next, seizing opportunities and endeavoring to prove that being different does not equate to being unintelligent. People who have faced severe trauma and learning challenges possess immense value. This is my contribution, one that need not always find acceptance but is fulfilling to share in the various ways I have. Upon reflection, I can discern the extensive intellectual property catalog I have built, which holds substantial value.
Your numerous accolades and awards include the prestigious ByBlacks People’s Choice Award for Best Author, the Scotiabank African Canadian Achievement Award, The University of Toronto’s National Book and President’s Award, and the esteemed Mark Riesman Literature Award. Of your many achievements, is there a particular accomplishment you’re most proud of?
I take the most pride in receiving the People’s Choice Award for Best Author. It marked my inaugural venture into book authorship, and both symbolically and metaphorically, I penned it from a vulnerable and exposed place. I laid bare my soul, candidly conveying the agony I endured during challenging phases in my life, and it proved to be an incredibly cathartic experience.
I had never imagined myself writing a book, despite frequently expressing the desire to do so. Yet, to transition from merely expressing a wish to write a book to actually penning two books and producing a short film poised for consideration as a series feels like a monumental accomplishment, one that transcends my individual efforts. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to God and the ancestral spirits who guide me along the path of my life’s purpose.
You serve as the Black Network Apps Global Ambassador, leading a global movement that uplifts, empowers, and connects communities within the African Diaspora. Please tell us more about the organisation, its aim, and how members of our diaspora can support its objectives.
The BLAC Network was created during COVID-19 to advance Black-Owned Businesses while creating a space that will enable recycling wealth within the Black Community. The app is not just a directory but a place where businesses can transact and deliver products/food to their customers. Currently, members can support by following the BLAC Network’s journey as we prepare to relaunch the app with better features and more value for its users. @BlacNetworkApp
Audiences can look forward to your highly anticipated book ‘The Adventures of a Recovering Sex Addict Vol. 2: Friends with Benefits but Mostly Liabilities, and the short film, Thirsty AF: The Adventures of a Recovering Sex Addict. Can you tell us more about the book and movie and what audiences can expect?
Each story in the book is unique. Friends with Benefits, but Mostly Liabilities delves into a compelling theme – the space between triggers and responses, which leads to hypervigilance and neurodivergent reactions from those struggling to connect and relate within important relationships in their lives, or at least the relationships one wants to make important.
What I find most intriguing about my book is how this theme is explored through the diverse dating and relational experiences written through our main character’s reflections. I reveal the inner workings of her thought process when dealing with emotional dysregulation issues, while simultaneously exposing the plot twists and turns that are often found when dating or engaging in sex and relationships. My writing is marked by transparency, authenticity, and vulnerability, enabling readers to identify and reflect on their own behaviors and thought patterns. I call the genre, “Self-Help Erotica.”
The stories in the book can be heartbreaking, hilarious and socially and culturally relevant to the experience of an African-Caribbean woman growing up in Toronto who is heavily influenced by the United States and the U.K. The books are conversational with sidebar rants included to help punctuate a point or something taboo.
In my view, laughter and healing go hand in hand. When you can find humor in your pain, it signifies a significant step towards overcoming challenges. Both the book and the movie, offer a certain amount of comedy. The themes are heavy, so I did not want to leave the audience re-traumatized, so I used comedic breaks to help the catharsis along.
The books and the movie are extensions of a healing journey that underscores the importance of comprehending that in-between space that is present in the way we communicate to foster healthier relationships and minimize re-injury.
Please share with us the origins of the story, how you came to develop the projects, and what you’d like the audience to take from both the film and book.
My childhood was riddled with abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Safety would be a concept that I would learn much later in life. It was a tumultuous time from the age of 5. By the time I turned 11, my father had left us to start a new family without my mom’s knowledge, and I was raped twice resulting in a pregnancy. I needed to get out of the situation that I was living in; I wasn’t sure how to survive. At the age of 16, I wrote my mother a note explaining that I had to leave. My other siblings had left home one by one years before me, so she understood why I had to leave.
Fast forward several years, my life took an unexpected turn. My father passed away, my 16-year marriage came to an end, and I experienced two car accidents. It all culminated in me taking a leave of absence from work following yet another sexual assault. It was during this time that I decided to seek therapy. While in therapy, I began to reflect on the trajectory of my life. Self-accountability, as I soon discovered, can be a profound and sobering experience if you are willing to confront the truth.
I’ve always considered myself a creative individual, and I sought unique ways to express the profound lessons I was learning through various mediums. My primary goal was to enable people to see aspects of themselves in my work. I hope that by engaging with my creations, they can learn to be kinder to themselves and develop more compassion and empathy for the world around them.
We all yearn for something, and for as long as I can remember, I sought to fill a void through external sources. It is only now that I am learning how to provide this fulfillment for myself. I’ve come to realize that there is an entire universe within me that remains unexplored, and I want to take people on this transformative journey with me. Let the adventures begin!”
What other projects are in the pipeline?
I am in the process of developing a documentary that delves into the experiences of individuals living with pain and invisible disabilities. In addition, I have created an exciting new reality TV show that I believe will generate a significant buzz. It’s titled “Silent Treatment.”
Lastly, I have been asked to provide an outline for a book project with Lorimer Publishing. This book explores the story of fraternal twins and their ancestral connection to an All-Black Baseball Team from Chatham, ON, and the neighboring town of Buxton. The working title for this project is “Finding the North Starr.” What makes it particularly special is the opportunity to collaborate with the Pan-Africanist legend, Professor James Small, who has made significant contributions to shows like “The Godfather of Harlem.”
Where can our readers find out more about you?
You can follow the adventures of a recovering sex addict’s journey on my website ThisisLAWade.com or through my Youtube channel @TheCockTaleBrand as well as through my instagram accounts: @TheCockTaleBrand or @ThisisLAWadeInc or @ThirstyAFMovie
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