From the Editor

A STORY PITCH

Here at the Evansville Living offices we receive press releases every day. Today, a press agent wants us to write about the unsung heroes behind our favorite songs — and credit their company for the fascinating information. Another pitch wants us to consider sustainable, non-petroleum-based chemicals for household cleaners; I agree that sounds like something I want to support, but we probably won’t write a story about a Tennessee-based company. Wallethub — I receive lots of emails from them — tells us that in many states, unemployment is bouncing back, but Indiana is not on the list of the “Most Bounced Back” or “Bounced Back Least,” so we’ll pass on that one, too. A Chicago-based public relations professional who has emailed six story ideas since February suggests we should feature deck makeovers as we are getting together for cookouts now. I like that idea, but we would be likely to write about local people and their decks, not the composite decking they are pitching.

We do receive plenty of local press releases announcing news that will be of interest to our readers; we try our best to give these our full attention, and these releases often become the basis for stories. As well, we also receive many story ideas from you, our readers of this magazine. But you get the idea: We receive lots of press releases that don’t attract our attention because there is no local hook or interest to you, our readers.

This wasn’t the case on March 19 at 11:45 a.m. when an email subject

REACH OUT!

Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@evansvilleliving.com. line caught my attention: Philip Lawrence x CMNTY Culture. I opened that e-mail and began a dialogue with Daniella, a public relations professional at a Madison Avenue firm. I knew Philip (not personally) as an eight-time Grammy Award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and Evansville native best known for his work alongside Bruno Mars. I also knew him as Gina Moore’s second cousin. Gina, of course, is a well-known Evansville songstress who has shared story ideas with us in the past and has graced these pages many times.

I told Daniella we would be thrilled to feature Philip in Evansville Living. When Managing Editor Jodi Keen came on board in April, she began researching the story, working through Daniella in New York to interview Philip. A longtime fan of Philip’s songwriting with Bruno, Jodi interviewed Philip via Zoom as he has been in Australia filming yet another new project, a television program called “Come Dance With Me.” Be sure to meet Jodi on page 15.

Jodi’s story on Philip (page 44) focuses on Philip’s newest venture, CMNTY Culture, a Black-owned entertainment enterprise focusing on music, music publishing, film/TV, and real estate. Philip rallied a group of Hollywood power players to help lead the company and guide its mission of being truly dedicated to artistry, while focusing on social justice and racial equity. Philip’s Evansville community will not be surprised at his devotion to justice and equity. To prepare this cover story, Jodi talked extensively as well with Philip’s family: cousin Gina, as well as Philip’s mother Cheryl Lawrence, who now resides in southern California with most of the immediate family to support Philip and his career. But Evansville still is home. As this issue goes to press, Cheryl and Phil Lawrence (Philip takes his name from his father) have returned home to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Unfortunately, Philip still was shooting in Australia; however, the super-close family will soon welcome Philip home.

So, now you will see I am very glad I opened that story pitch!

As always, I look forward to hearing from you!

KEEP UP WITH KRISTEN

Visit her blog, “300 Words,” at evansvilleliving.com/blog, Sincerely,

Kristen K. Tucker Publisher & Editor