TV Host Erica Cobb Inspires Us To Keep Coming Back
PHOTOGRAPHED BY CAROLINE MILLER AT FIVE NINES
WRITTEN BY ANNIE BLOJ // CULTURE & STYLE EDITOR
CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES: ST JOHN BOUTIQUE CHERRY CREEK
HAIR: ANGELA STEVENS / MAKEUP: JARAY D BANKS / FLOWERS: THE STORY OF FLOWERS
Annie Bloj: Erica, you are one of our few returning features for Cherry Creek Fashion! We are thrilled to catch up with you and find out about the new developments in your life during this particularly intense past two years. Since your last interview in 2019, so much has changed globally. Often, viewers of Daily Blast Live and listeners to your podcast, “Comeback: with Erica Cobb,” have looked to you to help them grasp the deeper meaning of issues that our culture so broadly dismissed, misjudged, and refused to acknowledge. Not only have you used your platform to speak about these often deeply personal cultural experiences, but you have used your influence to change the lives of others directly. Welcome back to CCF!
Annie Bloj: Since we last checked in with you in 2019, much has happened. How have the past two years changed you? What are you taking with you, and what are you leaving behind?
Erica Cobb: These past two years have been a true lesson in comebacks and resilience. I, like so many others lost people I loved to COVID. It seems almost surreal because compounded with isolation it still feels like bad dreams. Virtual memorial services and scaled-back celebrations of life left me craving interpersonal connection and cherishing it when I receive it. I will continue to cherish the time I get to spend with loved ones even more and leave behind the idea of “next time,” as I now know “next time” is never guaranteed.
AB: As we begin to reflect on our experiences through the pandemic, can you share how the Daily Blast Live team navigated filming the show remotely so suddenly?
EC: That was a crazy transition going from in-studio to virtual on Daily Blast Live. Initially, we were going to be out for two weeks like the rest of the world. But as it became clear the pandemic would last for far longer, I’m super proud of our team for being one of the first shows to transition to virtual studios. It was definitely a change, as we are a close-knit group. But we made it work pretty seamlessly. I truly feel that if we weren’t as close as we are this would have been a major obstacle to gel, but we know each other so well, thankfully it worked out! Now we’re back at 100%.
AB: Your incredibly successful podcast, “Comeback: with Erica Cobb, has never been more relevant as so many of us are looking at ourselves, our careers, and the world around us differently. Now that your podcast is on the Ebony Podcast Network- Covering Black America, how do you see it growing?
EC: I am so grateful to have experienced the growth that I have on my podcast. It’s a bit meta to experience the growth of Comeback when everyone is navigating their post-pandemic comeback. The podcast was always supposed to act as an accountability partner and now there is more accountability than ever for me to facilitate the testimonies of folks who have had a comeback and the experts who are giving my audience the tools to execute their own Comeback. I am so excited to be on the Ebony Podcast Network. Ebony has historically been a brand that unapologetically celebrated Black excellence and that’s synonymous with “Comeback: with Erica Cobb.”
AB: Your voice is accessible through so many different media avenues with your website, podcast, Daily Blast Live; how has your involvement with Facebook/Meta’s We the Culture Black Creators program influenced your approach to your various platforms?
EC: It’s crazy that at 12 years old I knew I wanted to be a “Radio Girl,” and how that dream has expanded over so many mediums. I suppose I was looking for a connection to a greater audience. Now, as I start my second year as a Creator for Meta’s We the Culture program, I’ve been given an opportunity to amplify my brands, which in my case is the amplification of others who embody the same values and messaging of equity, equality, representation, and resiliency. It’s also important for me to be a part of a program that shows the diversity of the Black community. It’s truly an honor to be a part of amplifying the culture.
AB: You and your husband decided to become the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for a sibling group of five. How did this opportunity come to you, and how has the experience been?
EC: I have been affiliated with Advocates for Children CASA since 2013 but as an emcee and fundraiser. In 2020, my husband decided to join the board of directors, as we were looking for more ways to help. We then decided to commit to the 30-hour training to become advocates ourselves. Shortly after we completed the training, we were matched with a sibling group of 5, all under 8 years old. It was a bit shocking when we were notified, but when we met our kiddos we knew we were the right people to advocate for this family. It’s been over a year and we’ve witnessed so much growth with our family. We also have a deeper understanding of child and family welfare to not only speak to the nuance of the system but to try to be a part of the change we are hoping to see. CASA is an amazing organization!
AB: Erica, your energy, vulnerability, and strength is inspiring. Thank you for sharing your professional and personal experiences with us. Seeing your growth reminds all of us that nothing is impossible and to keep moving forward even when things get tough. We can’t wait to keep up with you and all of your ventures!
Erica Cobb: @ericacobb
Shoot Producer: @estherleeleach
Clothing: @stjohn // St. John Boutique Cherry Creek // 224 Steele Street, Denver 80206
Photographer: @carolinemillerphotography
Hairstylist: @angelacstyles
Makeup: @jarayfortheslay
Flowers: @thestoryof.flowers
Location: @fiveninesdenver