Adequately nicknamed the “The Black, Gay Martha Stewart,” Robert has in hands in almost everything; he is an Author, Fashion Designer, Producer, Branding Coach, and GIPHY/TikTok creator. His new book, Courage Behind the Mask: A Story of Life, Death and Surviving COVID-19, tells the story of his mother’s battle with COVID-19 and the stories of the healthcare workers who worked tirelessly to save her life. Robert and his mother were finally reunited in the summer of 2021 after 828 days apart. The duo took part in a series of book signings, speaking events, and TV interviews during their time together. Images of the reunion can be seen throughout the article. Read on to learn more about Robert E. Blackmon, his new book, and why he believes you should never take a single moment for granted.

Where are you based?
I live and am based in Ottawa, Canada.

As a dual citizen, you live and work between Los Angeles and Canada. What has been the biggest advantage to this lifestyle?
Los Angeles has given me the networking opportunities, while my rural town in Canada offers me a space of quiet to be creative.

Your brand, RobertEBlackmon.com®, began as a wedding planning advice book, but has since expanded into a multi-faceted lifestyle brand. Could you talk about this brand expansion and how you got involved with each aspect?
The brand has organically evolved. As a creative artist, I enjoy learning new and interesting art forms. The ones that are currently part of my brand have resonated most with my audience.

In your biography, you mentioned that you are, “The Black, Gay Martha Stewart. I do some of everything.” Which is so true. How do you juggle all aspects of your brand both physically and mentally?
It is not an easy task, honestly. I love all aspects of what I do, however some projects require more time and attention. I constantly have to keep myself from starting more projects than I can handle at once.

You have a variety of skits and characters on your TikTok. How do you come up with these ideas? Do you have a favorite?
They usually come from conversations that I have with my followers or develop from an existing character. I love them all for different reasons, but Church Muva is who I’m most known for and has the biggest following, is my favorite.

Are any of these skits based on real life experiences?
Many of the skits are based on current events. I try to keep my followers invested in situations that are relatable.

We love your drag personas. Have you been doing drag for a while or did you start for the social media?
Years ago, I worked for a couple of party promoters and I developed characters that I called gender illusion. They weren’t done to poke fun at, but to give the illusion of an actual female. By the time social media became a thing, creating characters was just another tool in my toolbox of talents.

You are also a GIPHY content creator. How did you get into that?
That was all due to my social media agent Amanda of Amanda Cee Media. She got me involved in the medium of Gifs about four years ago. While people had been creating and sharing them for a couple of years, they were still relatively new to the world. I got started creating characters doing Gifs/Memes and they took off. I was a finalist in a film festival, have been featured globally by companies, and am now paid by agencies to create Gifs for clients and brands.

You have coaching programs to teach people how to utilize TikTok and Giphy to elevate their brands. What are these classes like?
The classes give both a general overview of the platforms and their functionality, as well as teach people the nuances of what makes your material stand out above the rest.

What advice would you give other people who are looking to start their own lifestyle brand?
It’s not easy…at ALL. Know yourself and what your branding message is. Take things a step at a time, and know that it will most likely take time.

Your book Courage Behind the Mask: A Story of Life, Death and Surviving COVID-19, was written about the journey you, your mother, and her healthcare workers went through during her hospitalization with the virus. Can you tell us a bit about your book and what it was like living through this?
The journey was hell. I would not wish it on anyone. I wrote the book as a journal for my mother and a celebration to those healthcare workers who saved her life.

How hard was it to stay in contact with them while living in another country?
The health care workers were my lifeline to my mother. They became my siblings, my family through those rough months. Knowing they cared, as they did, helped me. For them, knowing that I was someone who they could connect with gave them a better sense of who their patient was.

Are there any healthcare workers, inside or outside the book, that you would like to specifically shout out or thank?
I have and do celebrate them all. I have featured them on my live TikTok broadcasts, news programs and elsewhere. Dr. Saleh and R.N. Stefanie Grady are two that we speak to regularly by phone.

Was this book hard to write and recount?
I have written five books, three physical and two e-books. THIS was the most difficult thing I’ve ever written. I spent six months getting through the experience with my mother and then had to relive it all over again through writing it.

What message do you want readers to take away from reading this?
Covid-19 is real. Regardless of your position on vaccination, I want people to see from a family that experienced the worst-case scenario, what can happen to you. Secondly, my message is don’t take a single moment of life or your loved ones for granted. Tomorrow is promised to no one.

Your mother was just recently able to come visit after not being able to see each other in person for the last year and a half. What was that reunion like?
We hadn’t seen each other in 828 days. The reunion was magical. I felt like a kid again seeing my mother after being away at summer camp. We spent five days together catching up and really getting to know each other again. I filled her in on what she’d really missed. I was pleased to be able to create a series of book signings, speaking events, and TV interviews while she was in town. She really felt like a rock star!

Do you guys have a bucket list of things to do together since being reunited?
That is a great question. We have always been the kind of people that live in the now. There aren’t loads of regrets or bucket list items. But we are making more of an effort to be present and to not sweat the small stuff.

As someone who has lived through some of the worst of what covid can do, what are your thoughts on the vaccine and trying to get more people vaccinated, especially people of color?
I can’t expect most people to completely understand what I’ve been through, but my hope is that they do realize the significance of full vaccination. I don’t expect to change anyone’s mind. They must make these decisions for themselves. I am however, amazed at the amount of misinformation that is being put out to the public. People of color must understand that we are the least cared for, with the most to lose.

We hear you are also a big advocate of Movember. Can you tell us a little bit about this cause and what this year will be like?
Prostate issues run in my family and I have been vigilant with my own health for many years on this front. I had a testicular cancer scare a couple of years ago that made it even more real for me. I’m not sure how I’ll handle my campaign this year. Because I do lots of female characters and have hundreds of thousands of very young followers, I’m not sure if I’ll “grow a mo” this year. I will most likely do more PSA style videos and share my story to raise awareness.

How are you staying positive during this current wave of the pandemic? In what ways are you back to normal and in what ways are you not?
It’s been a tremendous struggle for me. I am not back to normal at all. In fact last Saturday was the very first time that I had a meal in public, at a restaurant. We were on the patio and it felt surreal. I have suffered panic attacks and anxiety. Neither of which I had ever experienced before the pandemic.

How are you taking care of your mental health during such a challenging time?
I am focusing in on my work mostly. My family and friends have been amazing. So, I am taking it one day at a time.

What is your motto in life?
Live your life and be proud of your accomplishments.

To learn more about Robert E. Blackmon, please follow him via the links below:
https://www.roberteblackmon.com/
Facebook: @roberteblackmon
Instagram: @roberteblackmon
Twitter: @roberteblackmon
Giphy: @roberteblackmon
TikTok: @roberteblackmon

Cherishing Every Moment with Robert E. Blackmon