( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) Toyota Salutes the 50th Anniversary of Philadelphia International Records (PIR) with Exclusive Tribute to Legendary Duo Gamble & Huff
ENSPIRE Contributor: LaShonda Thompson
In honor of the 50th Anniversary of Philadelphia International Records (PIR), Toyota Motor North America Social Innovation–the mobility company’s diversity, equity, and inclusion division–proudly celebrated the record label’s legendary founders Gamble & Huff with an exclusive evening of soulful sounds and curated cuisine.
The groundbreaking label, founded in 1971 by innovative and prolific songwriters/producers Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, became the birthplace, incubator, and launching pad for the sophisticated Philly Soul sound, also known as “The Sound of Philadelphia.” The duo amassed an extraordinary array of producers, songwriters, and engineers to help craft some of the most memorable lyrics and melodies for legendary artists from Lou Rawls to Patti LaBelle over the past five decades.
“Soundtrack of Soul ” served as a collective pause to acknowledge two prolific music pioneers and their life’s work with special performances from string trio Chiara Collective and “new soul” songstresses The Shindellas. The event was a throwback to the style and grace signature of the era and featured a sneak peek of the all-new 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross.
Paige Barton, Manager, Dealer Relations and Multicultural Business Strategy for Toyota Motor North America, presented an award to Mr. Chuck Gamble, Vice President of Catalog Promotions at Warner Chappell Music/Sr Executive Consultant for Gamble Huff Entertainment and Caliph Gamble, Executive Consultant to Gamble Huff Entertainment, who accepted the award on behalf of their father and uncle, respectively. In the spirit of Social Innovation, Toyota awarded the PIR founders Gamble & Huff for their commitment to D&I, Black entrepreneurship, and social justice.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus our 1,800 dealerships.
Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.
Through its Start Your Impossible campaign, Toyota highlights the way it partners with community, civic, academic, and governmental organizations to address our society’s most pressing mobility challenges. We believe that when people are free to move, anything is possible. For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
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