Briahna Gatlin Discuss Purple Block Party Festival, Being A True Publicist and Chicago's Egotistical Industry on iLLANOiZE Radio

By: Bekoe

Sunday, August 28th, 2022 a new festival blessed the grounds of Garfield Park located on Chicago's West Side known as The Purple Block Party powered by Swank Publishing. To freshly bring you all up to speed. Garfield Park is an area that hasn't seen any major community investment in years. in fact, the life expectancy for residents living in this area is 69 years old according to WTTW.

Photo By WTTW

To me and many others, history was made this past Sunday and the neighborhood got a chance to see live performances from New York's own Jim jones of Dip Set, Chicago West Side collective Pivot Gang, Georgia based artists Kali, Nia Kay representing Chicago's Southside, Baha Bank$, and Huey V.

Jim Jones Photo By Book Ray Louie

For those in attendance who brought along their kids such as myself, A kids zone was located within the back of the festival. Kids played with bubbles, frisbees, balls, jump ropes, and had fun jumping inside a bouncy house. There was also snowballs, candy and chips made available along with black-owned food vendors that served Jerk Chicken, Tacos, Drinks, Sweets such as cupcakes and and even fruit bowls. 

There were also painters on site, that showcase their talent spray painting live artwork on wooden canvas. Doors open at 10am and ended at 10pm. While transitions were being made Power 92 host Bree Specific and New York's own Tubbs Krueger held down the stage for fun conversation for crowd engagement.

Bree (Right) Tubbs (Left) Photo By Radio Raheema

We caught up with Briahna Gatlin founder of SwankPR and Purple Block Party the day before festivities took place, to speak on her latest venture of bringing a festival to Garfield Park. During our conversation we discussed Briahna being a black woman organizing a music-based festival located in a disinvested neighborhood, Her making a transition from publicist to festival founder, what it takes to be a true publicist, as well maneuvering through Chicago's Egotistical Industry.

Make sure to get to know more about Briahna J. Gatlin below. Subscribe to our YouTube channel, and if you'd like to stream our latest episode uninterrupted. You can listen on your preferred podcast platform here.