IMARO COVER FEATURE

Becoming More Than Where You Started

Cover Page: Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

There is something powerful about a person who chooses who they become.

In IMARO’s “Hybrid & Hustle: The Multi-Talented Generation” issue, Cory (Jacory) Loggins steps into the spotlight as a reflection of resilience, evolution, and intentional growth. His journey is not defined by circumstance, but by decision, one rooted in discipline, purpose, and the refusal to be limited by environment.

Raised in inner-city Atlanta, Cory grew up surrounded by adversity, poverty, gun violence, and the kind of challenges that often shape outcomes before choices are even made. But early on, he made a defining decision, he would not become a product of what surrounded him.

He would become a product of what lived within him. “I refused to become a product of my circumstances. I chose to become a product of my resilience.” That mindset became the foundation of everything that followed.

At sixteen, Cory was introduced to modeling and acting through family, opening a door he hadn’t previously considered. What began as curiosity quickly became commitment. After securing professional headshots, he was signed by MI Talent Agency, marking the beginning of a journey that would require both discipline and adaptability.

Because talent alone was never enough. Cory invested in his growth, taking acting classes, attending model workshops, and refining his craft with intention. His dedication led to opportunities like being featured in the Augusta Sportswear Catalog, expanding his visibility within the industry. But it was his transition into acting that deepened his purpose.

Landing a lead role in an independent film centered around a young athlete navigating life after an HIV diagnosis challenged him to move beyond performance and into storytelling with impact. It required emotional depth, empathy, and responsibility, qualities that would become central to his identity as a creative.

During his senior year, he reached another milestone, appearing on TV One’s Fatal Attraction. When his school announced his achievement over the intercom, it became more than a moment, it became confirmation. His work had the power to inspire.

As his career expanded, Cory embraced the importance of community, mentorship, and connection. Opportunities like walking in Miguel Wilson’s Atlanta Fashion and Polo Classic further positioned him within the fashion space, where his ability to blend urban authenticity with refined editorial presence set him apart.

This is Hybrid & Hustle in motion, where Cory moves fluidly as a model, actor, author, and storyteller, with each lane informing and strengthening the other.

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

Because he is not confined to one identity. He is building across all of them.

Beyond the camera, Cory’s purpose extends into advocacy and empowerment. He uses his platform to encourage young people, especially those from underrepresented communities, to push beyond limitations, embrace their authenticity, and pursue their purpose despite adversity.

His passion for storytelling led him to author his book, Behind the Camera: Building a Purpose-Driven Life Through Your Passion, where he shares his journey with honesty and intention. It is not just a reflection, it is a roadmap for others seeking alignment between passion and purpose.

Because for Cory, success is not just personal, it is shared. He believes in opening doors, not guarding them. Creating access, not limiting it. And building a legacy that extends beyond himself.

After diving into Cory’s journey and the layers of resilience, creativity, and purpose that define him, Skyy Wonders, Editor-in-Chief, developed a series of questions designed to explore the mindset behind his movement and what it truly means to live out Hybrid & Hustle in real time.

These are the questions that now shape the next layer of his story:

SKYY: You’ve spoken about choosing resilience over circumstance, what did that decision look like for you in real time?

CORY: In real time, it wasn’t some big turning point, it was daily choices. Choosing to stay focused when everything around me could’ve pulled me in a different direction. Choosing discipline when it would’ve been easier not to. I had to train my mind early to believe my life could look different, even when I didn’t see examples of it. Resilience became something I practiced every day, not just something I talked about.

SKYY: Growing up in Atlanta, how did your environment influence both your challenges and your drive?

CORY: Growing up in Atlanta, I saw a lot at a young age, things that could either break you or build you. There was struggle, there was violence, but there was also hustle and creativity everywhere. That environment pushed me. It made me realize I had a choice in who I was going to become. I wasn’t blind to what was around me, but I refused to let it decide my future.

SKYY: You move across modeling, acting, and writing, how do these different creative lanes connect for you?

CORY: For me, it all comes back to storytelling. Modeling lets me express without saying a word. Acting lets me tap into emotion and really connect with people. Writing gives me space to be real and speak directly. It’s all connected, it’s just different ways of telling my story and sharing perspective.

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

SKYY: What was the moment you realized your work could impact and inspire others?

CORY: The moment I realized that it wasn’t just about me anymore. I saw how people reacted to what I was doing, and how it made them feel like something was possible for them too. That’s when I realized this path wasn’t just for me, it could actually inspire somebody else.

SKYY: How did signing with MI Talent Agency shape your early perspective on the industry?

CORY: Getting signed was a big moment, but it also woke me up. It showed me that this was real, but it also showed me how much work it actually takes. Talent will get you in the door, but discipline and consistency are what keep you there. That’s when I really started taking my craft seriously.

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

SKYY: Your acting roles carry depth and meaning, how do you prepare yourself to tell stories that require emotional vulnerability?

CORY: I take time to really understand the character, not just what they’re going through, but why. I try to connect it to real emotion, whether it’s something I’ve experienced or something I’ve seen. I don’t try to force it. I just allow myself to be present and feel it, so it comes across real.

SKYY: What inspired you to write Behind the Camera, and what do you hope readers take away from it?

CORY: I wrote the book because I know what it feels like to come from a place where it seems like the odds are already set against you. I wanted people to see the real journey, not just the highlights. My goal is for someone to read it and realize they’re not stuck where they started. They can build something meaningful for themselves.

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

SKYY: You speak openly about overcoming doubt and criticism, how do you stay grounded and focused through those moments?

CORY: I stay grounded by remembering why I started in the first place. Not everybody is going to understand your vision, and I’ve had to be okay with that. My faith keeps me centered, and my discipline keeps me moving. I’ve learned that doubt and criticism come with growth, you just can’t let it stop you.

SKYY: In an industry that can feel competitive, how do you maintain your belief in collaboration and opening doors for others?

CORY: I don’t believe there’s only room for a few people to win. I’ve seen what happens when people support each other, and I choose to move like that. I’m big on opening doors, not closing them. If I can help create opportunities for somebody else, that matters to me.

SKYY: For those trying to step into their own Hybrid & Hustle journey, what advice would you give them about staying consistent and true to themselves?

CORY: Stay focused on your purpose, not just what you want to get out of it. Consistency comes from what you do every day, not just big moments. And most importantly, be yourself. Don’t try to fit into something that’s not you. When you’re real, everything you build stands stronger.

Cory Loggins represents Hybrid & Hustle through resilience, versatility, and purpose-driven creativity. His journey is a reminder that where you start does not determine where you finish, but how you move, how you grow, and how you choose to show up does.

It is a pleasure to have him as IMARO Magazine’s May 2026 Cover Feature, and we look forward to following his continued growth, storytelling, and impact.

To stay connected with Cory Loggins and follow his journey: Instagram: @iamcoryloggins

Book: Behind the Camera: Building a Purpose-Driven Life Through Your Passion

Photo by Dante Jenkins of Soul Focus Studios | Wardrobe Stylist: Motif Ricketts

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