Meet Nikki Wade | CEO, Film Producer, Screenwriter, Event Producer, Radio Personality & Entertainer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nikki Wade and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nikki, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I had a need to create my own lane…my own stage. I’ve always been a performer and I moved to Atlanta to advance my career in a big way. However, I didn’t have the same following here in Atlanta, that I’d developed in Seattle. Although initially, I was welcomed in some venues, there were other venues and performance cliques that would make it difficult for me to perform or they would just plain shut me out. Additionally, I also began to notice some of the musical and poetry events that were being produced, were just “thrown together”; with no real structure and the same clique of artists booked on the roster. After a few years of seeing the same old shows over and over, I decided that I could create and produce an event that would not only have structure and cohesion, where I could perform and host, but would also have variety in the lineup, be creative in style, as well as, exciting and entertaining. Initially A hip-hop/poetry crew (Kimani Roberts & Son Christopher) with a show called Free Forum Exchange, offered me a one-time feature in their Sunday slot at Apache Cafe, which I named Soulrotica. The show incorporated sensual, romantic and erotic poetry, with music and song, which I hosted and performed in. It was such a success, that it was extended to a monthly show (every 2nd Sunday of the month), for the next two years. Afterward, I was asked by MetroBoyz Entertainment to create, co-produce and host a neo-soul, poetic live music event, called Brown Sugar Thursdays; where I started booking bigger acts that were regional and national. Brown Sugar Thursdays ran for 3 yrs and the experience really helped me develop my business acumen. Divadom Entertainment Group was really born out of those first two ventures and were the initial catalysts for everything that I’ve produced since. From live music events, to stage plays, radio shows and now film; Soulrotica and Brown Sugar Thursday opened my creative license in ways, that I never knew it would.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I don’t mean to sound arrogant but artistically, I’m more than a “triple threat”. I’ve been blessed with many gifts and I’m actually pretty darn great at all of them. I think the thing that makes me successful, is not thinking that I’m talented at everything, but knowing exactly where my talents lie and continuously cultivating those particular talents, in order to be the best. Know your lane and stay in it. Now this doesn’t mean, that I’ve never thought out of the box or took risks. I most certainly did. However, I had to be brave, when I was most fearful and I absolutely made a bunch of mistakes but, I learned how to be triumphant, in spite of them. This road has definitely not been easy. There have been folks that felt I wasn’t that good of a singer or performer; I’ve been shut out and not chosen for certain opportunities; I’ve made some not so wise financial and business decisions; I’ve struggled with my own self esteem, I’ve had my intelligence insulted and even my integrity questioned. But no matter what, I kept going and stayed fighting. Someone told me once that what they like most about me, was that I was tenacious. I just won’t stop and I won’t let anybody tell me that I can’t. Even if I get it wrong, I’ll keep going until I get it right. So albeit I’ve faced many challenges, who hasn’t. Anyone who is worth there salt has and I like a good challenge, I let it fuel me. Those challenges have led me to successful theatrical productions, my own radio show, a writer and producer on 3 films and now an Emmy win, as part of an ensemble cast for OWN T.V.’s: “Black Women Own The Conversation”. I love EVERYTHING about entertainment, including the ugly side of the business, because I believe there are valuable and positive lessons in all things. When you’re in the worst of a situation, it may not feel good while you’re in it, but if it makes you better afterward, then you’ve won! The thing I want people to know about me and my brand, is that I’m FOR REAL about the arts! I live and breathe this entertainment thing, because I know that there isn’t a greater escape for bad times, a more miraculous healer when we’re not well, a better motivator to be your best, than what you get and receive from music, movies, plays, dance, literature, poetry, etc. I want to create great, beautiful, awesome & inspiring content and gift it to the world. Whatever I do, I do it with as much finesse, love and integrity as humanly possible!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In spite of Covid-19, there are still some great places to see here in Atlanta. I still love touristy things and going to some of the historic sites, as if I’d never been. I would definitely take my friends to the King Center, the original Ebenezer Baptist Church and The Coca Cola Center. Then because most of my out of town friends grew up around water and marine life, we’d go to the Georgia Aquarium, because it’s the largest in the U.S.. For food, some of my absolute favorite eateries are: The Real Milk and Honey (on Main St.); The Flying Biscuit (on Piedmont only); Big Daddy’s Dish; Fellini’s Pizza and The Atlanta Fish Market. Lastly, for live entertainment, right now I’m really feeling St. James Live. They have been really holding it down for independent music artists and giving them an amazing platform to be seen, in a beautifully upscale venue.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many people who were and still are instrumental in my success. I’d have to start with my parents Robert & Charlene Wade. My dad was a constant encourager, especially in times where I was unsure of myself, he always let me know I was capable. However my mom in particular, has always been a key driving force in my career. She never told me no, when I wanted to be involved in any artistic endeavor, as child and she cultivated every creative bone in my body. My biological father Rauleign Lamont, is also an accomplished musician and he had a great influence on how I learned rhythms and my appreciation for international music. Next was my childhood acting mentor Steve Sneed; my former and now departed ballet instructor Gwen Barker; my high school mentor Dave Spicer; my God-brother and first music producer Ronnue McThomas; my first real motivator and inspirations for everything I do, my number one son Khiry Wade; my most prominent music producer Chuckey Charles; and my biggest cheerleader and greatest advocate, who champions me to no end, my husband Joshua Mose. One thing I can say is that I’ve never had a lack of support from my family especially my siblings and my cousins, blood & spiritual. They ALWAYS come through for me. I’ve also had several influences in regard to performance, writing, business and life skills: Nikki Giovanni, Oprah Winfrey, Toni Morrison, J. California Cooper, Elaine Brown, Karyn White, Anita Baker, Shirley Temple-Black, Glynn Turman, Maya Angelou, Michael Jackson, Prince, Negesti Abebech, Gary Davis, Tyler Perry and my grandmother Christine Hunter.

Website: www.divadoment.com
Instagram: @divadoment
Linkedin: divadom
Twitter: divadoment
Facebook: facebook.com/divanikki ; facebook.com/divadoment ; facebook.com/NikkiWadeRadioShow
Youtube: Divadom Wade

Image Credits
Khiry Wade Joshua Mose Nikki Wade