Known as “The People’s Publicist“, Christi Love is a PR professional with the heart of a creative and a righteous soul that wants to see her people win! A native of Paducah, Kentucky, Love was immersed in art and culture from a young age, as well as empathy, service, and hard work. Her mother, a talented pianist and singer, was also a manager in the state of Kentucky’s social services department, while her father, at the age of nineteen, owned a construction business that specialized in brick masonry, building houses and other structures.
After graduating from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIUC), Christi got her start in the industry working with publicists as an Associate Producer on The Jerry Springer Show, eventually working her way up to becoming one of the youngest producers in the history of the show. Fun fact, Christi was on the production team when the controversial show conquered Queen of Talk, Oprah Winfrey, in the ratings race.
For more than two decades now, she’s run With An Eye PR, her creative agency with a long list of clients from celebrities to local business owners. In addition to her thriving work as a go-to Publicist with international connections, the agency also offers several other services, including experienced talent booking and event production. Next spring will mark the return of the agency’s 5th annual She Owns It She Biz Conference, produced exclusively by Black Women with Black Women in mind, as well as her popular “BlackPRint Chicago” campaign aimed at supporting and uplifting the Chicago business community.
N’DIGO recently caught up with the in-demand culture shifter to learn about her start in the industry, what With An Eye PR has in store, and the re-release of her eBook, “Don’t Panic Publicize: Insights into Public Relations and Tips on Working with an Agency,” in time for National Publicist Day.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Christi Love?
Christi Love: My faith in God is the cornerstone of my life, guiding my decisions and priorities. Creativity flows through everything I do; music accompanies me as a source of inspiration and solace. My passion for art and fashion enriches my life, as I constantly seek to explore and express beauty in various forms. I believe in embracing the joy that life offers, striving to maintain a positive mindset even in the face of challenges. In my social media bio, you will see it says People’s Publicist, Culture Creator, and, most dear to me, Purpose Producer. It is important to me to leave a legacy that not only inspires the next generation but also represents and makes my ancestors proud because they paid the price for me to have the freedom to do what I do today.
As a child, what did you dream you’d do for a living?
Growing up, I wanted to be a lawyer and then the first Black woman Supreme Court Judge. Watching actress Phylicia Rashad‘s character, Claire Huxtable, on The Cosby Show showed me that it was a real possibility. That experience helped me understand the power of influence; I saw someone who looked like me doing what I had always imagined I would grow up to do. The day Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson became an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, I celebrated for the little girl who wanted to be her but grew up to see her dream become a reality, even if it was someone else.
How did you discover your inner creative?
My parents, the late but great Jimmy and Corine Harber, always gave me the freedom to dream and create, which ultimately led me to become a producer and publicist. I really have to give them credit for being amazing and supportive parents, allowing me to explore all forms of creativity from singing to playing instruments, acting, writing plays, pageants, whatever creatively that was positive.
And how did you find your way into the world of publicity?
In high school, I attended a college fair and met a college recruiter who suggested I major in Public Relations instead of pursuing a career as a lawyer.. After researching the field, I realized it was the perfect fit for me. I had grown up helping my mother, who worked in various organizations, and I participated in events at church, where I learned a lot of the basics without even realizing it. When I attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale (SIUC), I discovered it was a top school for communications and media. This led me to explore the field further, and I fell in love with it. I found the idea of sharing stories with the masses and building a positive public image to be incredibly appealing. This felt more like a calling to me.
Please tell us about your company, With An Eye PR?
With An Eye PR is my full-service creative agency that specializes in publicity, along with consulting, marketing, promotions, event production, and talent booking. We work with an array of clients, including entertainers, celebrities, influencers, brands, non-profits, and local businesses/entrepreneurs.
Alongside our publicity wing, we produce a couple of big annual events in the city, including our She Owns It She Biz Conference, an event produced by and for Black women featuring workshops, panels, and networking opportunities aimed at providing resources for personal and professional growth while highlighting the accomplishments of Black women as entrepreneurs, professionals, and community members. Our other big event is a Juneteenth Celebration at Wrigley Field in partnership with the Cubs. Through the event, we have thus far recognized over 100 Black business owners, influencers, celebrities, retired athletes, and veterans on Juneteenth to raise awareness about the national holiday that acknowledges African American freedom while emphasizing education and achievement.
Can you speak to the importance of publicity for businesses big and small?
Publicity allows the public to understand who you are and enhances your credibility, helping people choose you over your competitors. It is imperative for a brand to tell its own story; if they don’t, others may do so, potentially taking credit for the hard work the brand has accomplished or misrepresenting them.
What is the biggest misconception about publicists that you come across repeatedly?
There are MANY, but one that really stands out is when people learn that I am a publicist and immediately ask me to publish their book. While we work closely with publishers to help our clients get their books in front of them, publicists do not publish books. Perhaps one day we will expand our services, but for now, we can refer you to the right contacts. When your book is published, you can set up a consultation with us to help you publicize it.
Please tell us about your ebook, Don’t Panic Publicize: Insight to PR & Tips on Working with an Agency?
I wanted to write this eBook to pass on the knowledge I’ve gained throughout my career in Public Relations. I wrote it for anyone interested in working in the field of PR, and for entrepreneurs, brands, non-profits, and influencers who want to start a campaign on their own. In the book, we talk about navigating the landscape of PR. While it might not be brain surgery, Public Relations is certainly an art that involves strategy. Publicists are here to get the word out to the masses about your brand or business, and help to shape and maintain your brand’s public image and elevate your profile to your target audience.
Best advice you’ve been given?
My grandmother, Valerie Newsome, one of the best people ever, and who lived to be 90 years old, used to say, “It’s just one of those things.” I heard her say that since I was a child, and now that she isn’t with me physically, there are days when I can still hear her voice saying it. As I have grown wiser over the years, I have come to understand that she was teaching me a valuable lesson: sometimes, you can’t control what happens, and you just have to let go and let God. Knowing that, I’ve incorporated this wisdom into my life when I’ve done all I can, I remind myself that all I can do is stand, and it will always work out the way it’s supposed to work out. Always!
Best advice you can give?
Be yourself, be kind, do your best, and don’t compete with anyone but yourself. There is enough for all of us to succeed in this world.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“No matter what you may be going through, never look like what you are going through, trust God, and you will make it through!”
What’s next for Christi Love and With An Eye PR? (Dreams? Goals? Future Projects?)
There is so much in store for us. Of course, we are always committed to working hard for our clients to ensure they are seen, share their stories, and grow their brands. In celebration of National Publicist Day on October 30th, we are hosting our first “Don’t Panic Publicize” Virtual Summit that will feature panel discussions and provide a dynamic day of insights and networking. On October 29th, we will host an Instagram Live conversation with our PR College Autumn Marie to educate, inspire, and uplift the professionals behind the scenes who shape stories and build brands.
We also have a lot happening on the event front, including our fifth annual “She Owns It She Biz Conference,” scheduled for April 10-12, 2026. We are immensely grateful for the support of Dr. Hermene Hartman, the founder of N’DIGO, who has served as both an honoree and panelist at our conference over the past four years.
“The BlackPRint Chicago” is another annual event and initiative aimed at supporting and uplifting the Chicago business community. It is a movement that brings together Black, Brown, Minority, and women entrepreneurs, community leaders, and officials to promote business equity, provide resources, and build professional networks, especially during National Black Business Month.
Lastly, on the event front, we’ve had great success with and are looking forward to more with our clients like the legendary Hip-Hop group Slum Village who recently had sold-out shows at the Blue Note in New York City and the just opened Blue Note LA, international singer-songwriter YahZarah, highly sought after entertainment attorney Heather Beverly, who recently launched a new self-love book “Soul Reciprocity“, and Chicago based hip-hop artist Philmore Greene and his upcoming “Philmore Greene and Phriends” show at the Ramova Theatre on November 1.
Our mission is to make a significant impact on culture and to carve out our place in history.
For more information on With An Eye PR, please visit www.withaneyepr.com and connect with them on LinkedIn and social media at @withaneyepr
