Meet Chloe Barksdale | Author, Blogger & Mother

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

Hi Chloe, why did you pursue a creative career?
I’ve been a creative spirit for as long as I can remember. Having grown up in a very violent home where my parents fought like Ike and Tina, dreaming and escaping reality by writing stories began in elementary school. I won the county-wide writing contest, for which I received an award at my 7th-grade graduation. Although I have always loved to read, often reading anything that I could get my hands on, from shampoo bottle ingredients to the back of cereal boxes to rushing to read Brenda Starr in the comics, it was not until black authors like E. Lynn Harris, Terry McMillion, Eric Jerome Dickey, Omar Tyree, Vickie Stringer, Teri Woods, and Sister Souljah came on the scene that I truly believed there was a place for me in some capacity with the gift God has so graciously blessed me with.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Insecurity plagued me for a good part of my earlier life because of how I grew up and the things I experienced. It wasn’t until I had my daughter, which triggered me into facing my past of child molestation and rape and to seek out counseling. I then began reading Iyanla Vanzant’s books, namely her autobiography, Interiors, and all others she authored. After that, I found my voice,startedn believing in myself and my talents, and saw myself as worthy.

My creative expression spans from being the author of a few books, Situationships, and Sex, Drugs, and Stripclubs, writing short stories that I am always told are often erotic and intoxicating, as well as my blog, www.beingchloeb.com, where I freely express my thoughts on love, life, and relationships. I’ve also hosted Love Jones-type forums that grew from a few people in my home to well over 100 at times in larger spaces. Black love, intimacy, and relationships, whether writing about them or having in-depth discussions, are my jams!

As I am now in the second half of my life, I always say I have more years behind me than before. Therefore, my motto these days is to JUST LIVE! Live life on YOUR terms and screw what anyone else thinks.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Being an Atlanta native, there is so much about my city that I love – especially now. We would grab breakfast and coffee at Black Coffee on Jonesboro Road. Their Light Skinned Keisha coffee and Extra Boujee Bagel is EVERYTHING! Then, we’d traverse the Atlanta Beltline and stop at Lee & White Food Hall in the West End. As I am past the clubbing phase but still love some good live music at some point, we might hit up The James Room, which is a cocktail lounge-type speakeasy or Saint James Live. And as a serious Atlanta Falcons Fan, we’d venture out to the new The Patio Social Club in Snellville, a sexy cigar lounge with a retractable roof and windows that lower to bring the outside inside. It’s a whole grown-up vibe, and I love going to watch the game.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My daughter, Jhori Clowers, is the wind beneath my wings. Without hesitation, I give her credit AFTER God for everything I have become since she blessed this world and me with her beautiful presence. Before having my daughter, I was a mess. I can honestly say that I was deeply rooted in a path of continuous self-destruction. Having her brought purpose to my life and gave me a reason to live and change the trajectory of where my life could have been. Next would be my sister Cathy. She’s always been there no matter if I was right or wrong; she has never NOT been there to help me weather these storms. I don’t tell her enough how much I love and appreciate her.

Website: https://www.beingchloeb.com

Instagram: beingchloebarksdale

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beingchloebarksdale1

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeingChloeBarksdale