A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Hi folks!

LIFE OF RILEY always has something baking towards keeping the creative juices flowing and the revenue streaming (and I look forward to sharing some of those updates, once they firm up --- including some synergies to which I look forward to inviting you).

MEANWHILE, my current hustle includes my own appearances and - primarily - my Brand Ambassador work for Miss Jessie's... and something new. Please read on...:

ANTOINETTE WHITE

1. NEW LIFE OF RILEY PARTNER for the next few months: MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER and AUTHOR ANTOINETTE WHITE (based in the DC/MD/VA area). I'm attracting SPEAKING/PANEL opportunities and PRESS in promotion of her self-published memoir "WHO'S PROTECTING ME?".I met Antoinette while on hosting duties for XSCAPE PR 2017 Memorial Day arts & music festival. She was brought in for the Authors Showcase...and I was so moved by her PRESENTATION and her TESTIMONIAL. 
2. And I really couldn't put the book down. I just had to see where this emotional tale was going to take me - from heart-ache to heart-break to healing, OH MY!!! And Antoinette STAYED THE COURSE...and via her TRIUMPH, she now UPLIFTS others!
3.  A series of personal triumphs helped Antoinette find the faith to overcome sexual abuse, unstable living situations, her sister's sudden death, homelessness, a failed marriage, and years of underemployment. 
4. Antoinette is CEO of "Mission to Motivate LLC" which provides Corporate Morale Improvement workshops and programs that refresh and uplift your labor force, improving performance, quality, productivity, and efficiency from bottom to top. For more info: www.antoinettewhite.com.
5. SPEECH EXCERPTS: RESET Conference - Oklahoma: https://youtu.be/Retf4SusAvM ....Homeless speech: https://youtu.be/J5w8gVIJDeI ...RESET Conference 1of 2 - VA: https://youtu.be/f_CaC0UibTM ....RESET Conference 2of 2 - VA: https://youtu.be/XtZuSgsHC4s ..."Minute of Motivation" every Tuesday: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxr0VMWU-BR9DFydUbRmerw  
6.  SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Antoinette-White-Motivational-Coach-1728209424080073/  ...Twitter: Antoinette White (@mission2motivat): https://twitter.com/mission2motivat?s=09 .... Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/antoinettewhite_mission2motiva/
7. Please advise if you have room for Antoinette White inside any of your programming/presenter needs (Antoinette currently lives in: DC/MD/VA area). Or if not, PLEASE SHARE with someone who might. We THANK YOU - as always - for your support!
8. 
   

MISS JESSIE'S

As Miss Jessie's CEO Miko Branch is promoting the paperback launch of her national best seller "Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch - Naturally" (Harper Collins/Amistad), she is looking forward to the National Association of Black Journalists' Convention August 9-13th.
A few things to know:

Miss Jessie's bags will be available via the NABJ vendor fair booth. Pop by and pick up MissJessie's latest.

Miko will also be around to say HI!
Miss Jessie's VIP bags will be available at the NABJ A&E Task Force Reception featuring cast-members from OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network's Queen Sugar and Greenleaf OWN.
Miss Jessie's VIP bags will be made available to NABJ guests on the Dayvee Sutton & NewOrleans Tourism's "Beyond the Usual" food and jazz tour.

Miss Jessie's bags will also be available at NABJ Founder Paul Broch's panels - including Friday's "Do I Have a Film Project in Me?" at 4pm. 
Miko will also be available for any select press and promo on Friday, August 11th and the morning of Saturday, August 12th.
Some of Miss Jessie's recent New Orleans press:
            a. New Orleans' own Brassy Brown NOLA journalist Kiri Lanice Walton talks to Miko about hair (of course), black female entrepreneurship and Miko's life today: http://www.brassybrown.com/2017/07/miss-jessies-co-founder-miko-branch-talks-success-love-course-hair/.  

           b. Miko was a Keynote Speaker at the Inc. GrowCo conference a couple of months ago: https://www.inc.com/video/miko-branch/how-to-turn-your-product-into-successful-brand.html?cid=sf01001&sr_share=twitter 

           c. Miko was an invited guest on The 504 with Sheba Turk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_0LLZKLBug.  

           d. We appreciate multiple WBOK-AM impressions with NOABJ President Rachel D. Graham and THE GOOD LIFE with EILEEN CARTER.
       5. Miko is EXCITED to meet some more New Orleans media pros - for TV or radio appearances; on-line or phoner interviews; additional product donation synergies; and select invites. She's in town and available on Friday, August 11th and the morning of Saturday, August 12th. 
       6. If you see Miko and the Miss Jessie's team, come STRIKE A POSE with her...and post some MISS JESSIE'S LOVE on social media: 

@mikobranch Twitter and Instagram
@miss_jessies Twitter and Instagram

SOME SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES you folks can use in addition to your own of course:
#missjessies
#missjessiesbook
#iammissjessies
#Legacy of #TitiBranch
#miss_jessies

CAN WE TALK?

Am doing more BUDGETED TALKS these days. My PRUDENTIAL talk last month still has legs: 

http://news.prudential.com/news/lgbt-financial-experience-symposium-worth.htm.  The DEBT FREE GUYS quoted me in their FORBES column: https://www.forbes.com/sites/debtfreeguys/2017/06/15/profiting-from-the-rising-equity-in-your-individuality/2/#4f71cf4365db. Also: they invited me to make a guest appearance on their MASS MUTUAL-presented podcast QUEER MONEY: http://debtfreeguys.com/patrick-l-riley/. Additionally, I've taken my ART OF THE INTERVIEW talk to more than the NYU Urban Journalism Workshop this year. The Hugh N. Boyd Journalism Diversity Workshop at Rutgers University for New Jersey high school students also invited me to present. And for NABJ, I'm looking forward to hosting two screenings for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation - also at the NABJ Convention: short film "90 Days"--- co-directed by Nathan Hale Williams and Jennia Fredrique... and GAY LIKE ME, a documentary Executive Produced by Derek J.

NEXT STEPS 

                                      
AND FINALLY: I have been on the festival circuit all this year in promotion of an independent film that goes down as my FILM DEBUT. I play what has become "fan favorite" RUDY in the Shaquille-O'Neal and Michael Baumgartner-Executive Produced film STEPS - Co-Directed by award-winning Rock Davis and Jay Rodriguez, Jr. - which just played to an enthusiastic, packed house at the NEWARK BLACK FILM FESTIVAL (which is hosted at The Newark Museum every Wednesday through the summer: www.newarkmuseum.org/nbff). STEPS is the vision of filmmaker/writer EDDIE HARRIS. He and casting director/producer/actress extraordinaire Penwah cast me in STEPS, which has received several film festival prizes and critical acclaim: 

a. Official Selection at the 2nd annual HUFF - Hampton University Film Festival.
b. Winter 2016 presented STEPS as an Official Selection in the Jersey City International Television and Film Festival-JCITFF; STEPS took home BEST DIRECTOR (for our AWESOME Co-Directors Jay Rodriguez and Rock Davis); and BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE FILM! 
c. STEPS PREMIEREd on my birthday in Jersey City November 2015.
d. In April 2016, we did a Harlem NYC PREMIERE at#MISTHarlem.
e. Peachtree Village International Film Festival in Atlanta, GA (Closing Selection).
f. Newark International Film Festival (Inaugural Event).
g. Urban World Film Festival (Official Selection).
h. Brooklyn Academy of Music. May 2017.
#STEPSthemovie #STEPS #LifeofRiley #RudySTEPS
XO
PLR

OLDVINE FLORALS

If you know anything about #LifeofRiley, you KNOW I love me some Ti-Ti - as in Itika Oldvine. And now, I'm elated to send ALL MY PEEPS - L.A. and beyond - to her new digs: OLDVINE FLORALS!!!! LOCATION
Address: 111 W. 7th St.
Suite 205
Los Angeles, CA 90014
Phone: 213-212-4760
Email: hello@oldvineflorals.com
Mon - Fri: 8am - 8pm
​​Saturday: 8am - 6pm
​Sunday: By Appointment Only
#LifeOfRiley #OldvineFlorals

 

From one of the American Theater's most acclaimed voices and the Obie Award-winning director of Durango comes a new play addressing one of the most crucial issues of our time.

Playwrights Horizons in association with The Play Company and the Culture Project present

a COOL DIP in the BARREN SAHARAN CRICK

The World Premiere of a new play by Kia Corthron (Breath, Boom; Force Continuum)

Featuring
Keith Eric Chappelle • William Jackson Harper (Ruined) • Joshua King
Kianné Muschett (The Brother/Sister Plays) • Myra Lucretia Taylor (Fabulation)

Directed by OBIE Award winner Chay Yew (Durango)

An African preacher-in-training arrives in drought-stricken rural America intending to further his studies in religion and water conservation. Hosted by a family that is haunted by tragedy, he takes an interest in a young orphan starved for guidance—all the while maintaining an infectious optimism in the face of his obstacles. Undaunted, the preacher determines to battle—by any means necessary—the personal and political forces that threaten the ecology of his new home.

MARCH 23 - APRIL 11 ONLY
Perfs. Tues-Fri at 7:30pm, Sat at 2 & 7:30pm, Sun at 2 & 7pm

Act NOW and save 40% on tickets!

Order by March 28 with code CDPP and tix are
$40 (reg. $50) for performances March 23 - April 11

HOW TO ORDER (with code CDPP)*:
•    Click HERE to purchase online at www.TicketCentral.com.
•    Call TICKET CENTRAL at (212) 279-4200 (Noon-8pm daily)
•    Visit the TICKET CENTRAL box office window at 416 West 42nd Street between 9th and 10th Avenues (Noon-8pm daily).

COOL DIP BLOG:
 Read more about the play and the production by clicking HERE or visit www.acooldip.typepad.com.

SPECIAL EVENT APRIL 11: Following the matinee performance, author/journalist Alex Prud'homme reads from and discusses his new book on water issues Clean, Clear, and Cold. Free and open to the public. Call (212) 564-1235 x3152, or e-mail us HERE to reserve.

GROUP SALES (10+):
To inquire, call (212) 564-1235 x3153 or e-mail us by clicking HERE. A free ticket for every ten ordered!
  

SOULMUSICSTORE.COM reports:

"Last Time I Saw Him," a classic Diana Ross album overlooked in the digital era, finally makes its CD debut. Recorded and released in 1973, "Last Time I Saw Him," with a title track written by Michael Masser and Pam Sawyer, was the follow-up to Diana's No. 1 "Touch Me In The Morning." Masser, the Four Seasons' Bob Gaudio and Motown's own Ron Miller and Tom Baird contributed to the LP; one of Baird's tracks, "Turn Around," written by Harry Belafonte, was a holdover from a previously unreleased album.

"Last Time I Saw Him," the title track, shot straight up to the top of the Adult Contemporary chart while making a respectable splash in the Pop & R&B top 20. However, the album and its subsequent single releases failed to make its expected impact. With Diana working on her second film, Mahogany, and with additional projects taking precedent, the album faded away.

This is the original album remastered, the ultra-rare Japanese Quadraphonic release, TEN previously unreleased bonus tracks from the sessions, and the unedited version of the title song. It's all packaged with a beautiful booklet that features detailed recording data and a new essay by Motown chronicler Andrew Skurow.

The 10 unreleased cuts include original songs, and stellar covers of the classic Skyliners' hit "Since I Don't Have You," the Carpenter's "Let Me Be The One," the Motown underground favorite "I Want To Go Back There Again," and an early version of Diana's own "Where Did We Go Wrong."   $39.99+s&h

http://www.soulmusicstore.com/dirolatiisaw.html

As we all sat around our brunch table (Richard, Kenny, Theo, Anthony, Chanel, & Me), we ended up having a conversation about attractive Cleveland women. The list may have only been as brief as Dorothy Dandridge, Ruby Dee, Halle Berry, Jayne Kennedy (and - as I joked - Arsenio Hall). But it conjured up the question from some of the "young'ns" at the table: WHO IS JAYNE KENNEDY? Here was a brilliant moment that gave us "old heads" an opportunity to remember what a BEAUTY ICON she was in our households. From EBONY to JET, she was a source of PRIDE and BEAUTY that never wavered in the '70s and '80s. She was so PRETTY and with her career as an actress, but most pointedly as a broadcaster, she was SMART with CHARISMA. SCANDAL would follow her and her husband -at the time- LEON ISAAC KENNEDY who directed "THE FIRST SEX TAPE" that made its way into people's BETA/VHS machines, making for some XXX, very racy scenes between the two. They also filmed "Body and Soul" together in 1981. Not so much a tour de force, but she had promise with the acting. After that marriage dissolved, she married model Bill Overton and would go on to have babies and stay closer to home. But what THEO reminds me is: she had an uncredited part in "Lady Sings The Blues" as Louis McKay's date (Billy Dee Williams) when a young Billie Holliday (Diana Ross) comes into the club (Jerry's Den) that she would years later take over as its star talent. It's a great scene where Diana sneaks in to observe the show and the action from the stairwell. When Louis McKay walks in (with Jayne Kennedy on his arm), he's dressed in white. Billie is in awe and has to be carried out. GOOD STUFF... THANKS THEO! 

Many moments have popped up in the media this week that I feel I need to comment on - albeit briefly.

1. The "OUR WORLD WITH BLACK ENTERPRISE" (hosted by Ed Gordon) -- featuring me as pop culture analyst -- aired this past weekend (www.blackenterprise.com/mediacenter/ourworld.asp). I thought it was going to be the upcoming weekend and would have done a media blast, but the phone began to ring as early as Sunday morning with folks from Savannah who stumbled upon it. My Auntie Mary Lee ("AUNTIE MARY LEE") called to say she spent so much time calling to tell people to watch that she couldn't tell me a word I said during the entire show. Still, those who did watch say I did a good job. The goal is to do more on-camera appearances towards my own project that I will helm. Though my graphic was mis-spelled (It's RILEY), the "OUR WORLD" staff - including my "Amazing Grace" Nichole who was instrumental in this booking - is nothing short of professional and great to work with. Here's to an encore... (Oh! And a REPEAT as I understand this episode will air at some point over the summer). Stay tuned...

2. I've told you folks how I feel about the SOAPS.... CBS SOAPS, to be exact. (HAL IS GONE (AND SO IS LIFE AS WE ONCE KNEW)) and ("FIRST HAL, NOW SALLY..." ). So many changes are happening on "Y&R" ("Young & The Restless"). A month or so ago, Victoria Rowell left the show as the portrayer of the beloved Drucilla, who fell to her "death" after a fight with Phyllis. Now, Phillis' husband on the show Nicholas Newman is dead. He was killed in an accident. Joshua Morrow, the actor, has left the show. (www.cbs.com/daytime/yr/)MEANWHILE, as CBS synergy goes, BOB BARKER is throwing in the towel at 83, after hosting "THE PRICE IS RIGHT" for the last 35 years. (www.cbs.com/daytime/price/) ) My sister reminded me that Bob Barker was our wake-up call during the summer months when we got to sleep late. Basically, if we weren't up before 11:00 A-M, the sound of "The Price Is Right" (and its bells & whistles) would awake us because Dad would have the TV so loud as it was his favorite show. Or, if we snoozed through that, you could always count on a LOUD YELL when someone bid in a manner that he didn't find acceptable. The whine and subsequent advisement that would come from Dad's mouth (to the 'dumb person' in the TV) would sound so loudly, we knew it was between 11 and NOON, and we should get on up.... to get showered, dressed, have breakfast, and in front of the TV by 12:30 for.... "YOUNG & THE RESTLESS". SUMMER CAMP, what?

3. Did you see that "UGLY BETTY" Season finale?(www.abc.go.com/primetime/uglybetty/index.html). What about "DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES"? (www.abc.go.com/primetime/desperate/) ABC did well to keep me reaching for the Kleenex and cliff-hung... between those two shows. Can't wait for next season.

4. Well, MELINDA has been eliminated from "American Idol"(www.americanidol.com/). I'm glad America didn't "age" her out earlier as she was truly a consistent contender who delivered everytime. Still, I felt like JORDIN's talent and youth would reign supreme and the young girls (and boys) of America would connect to BLAKE's youthful demeanor as the only 'stud' (loosely used) left. And as "America's Next Top Model" goes, I hear (as I've not seen it yet, but will watch on the computer later) that Jaslene is our current victor (or victoria). Good for her. Anyone who is raised by a "pack of drag queens" is okay in my book.

5.   It was five years ago about this time. Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes died in a fatal car crash. A handful of years later, VH-1 brings us "The Last Days of Left Eye", a haunting documentary that plays Lisa's life, but most pointedly, her last month out in the film from the very footage she was shooting for this project she envisioned. Anthony and I watched it the other night and are still haunted by the reality that we saw everything from the anticipation around her trip to Honduras (Central America) to the final seconds in her car (with her protegees Egypt) as she drove the car off the road. She was there on a 30-day pilgrimage for spiritual and physical healing, and we get to watch that process - during which she reflected on her life and career, sharing details about her father and all of the drama that followed her after she became a member of the most successful R&B trio in the history of music.  I had the chance to know TLC in the early-'90s as their careers launched alongside my post-Morehouse career at "Good Day Atlanta". I did a lot of pitching to clueless newsroom management to get the girls some of their first coverage. By the time, Lisa burned down Andre Rison's home, we were armored to cover the story and know what a TLC was and who its members were. I even got an exclusive interview with the ladies - promoting their sophomore project - "CrazySexyCool" - just before I left Atlanta. I remember getting to LaFace Records' office and setting up. Eventually, Chilli and T-Boz made their way in... through make-up... etc. And as the countdown ticked for our start time, Left Eye had still not arrived. We decided to start the interview without her... and who showed up into the 3rd question? Left Eye. She popped in to frame and proceeded to weigh-into their banter... on the TLC tip. They were gracious and warm. Chilli (Rozanda) - to this day - is still very kind and excited when she's me out and about (rare occasions that we're both under the same room). Though I had completed production on the piece, I had left town before it aired. Given this just-released documentary, Left Eye knows something about that.  

6. DIANA ROSS wrapped up her mostly sold-out European tour in Paris last night. City by city and country by country - from Rotterdam to London - she has been delivering and receiving "beaucoup" praise for her talents. It's no surprise that the legendary songstress is being honored next month with BET's
Lifetime Achievement Award (www.bet.com/). "Diana Ross' impact on the cultural landscape is almost impossible to measure. Her achievements as an artist extend across the medium and
decades," said Reginald Hudlin, President of Entertainment, BET Networks. And that influence continues to show up in the form of "DREAMGIRLS", the DVD of which I finally got to see. Anthony and I were pleased to see our friend Peanut, who has choreographed some of Beyonce's videos and concerts. On one of the showstopper features on the DVD, you get to see Peanut and her colleagues do "visualization sequences" for all of the "DREAMGIRLS" performances that are now legendary. Well, it required that Peanut and the ladies block all of that 'fabulousness' out before the movie's stars could execute it. Peanut - at times - was Effie and in other sequences - Deena. She was wonderful in all roles.  We had a chance to meet her through Khalid some weeks ago ("SUCCESS IS NOTHING WITHOUT SOMEONE YOU LOVE TO SHARE IT WITH..." ). She too is featured - IN YELLOW - in Beyonce's "Freak 'em Dress" video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yI41y53-J2I) and she's a powerful and generously-talented energy. ALSO, as ROSS' influence goes, MARY J. BLIGE is featured on the cover (and inside the pages) of this month's ESSENCE in a layout that pays direct homage to DIANA ROSS and "MAHOGANY". She looks beautiful and - like Beyonce in "DREAMGIRLS" - takes the template DIANA set and WORKS IT. YES, THEY ALL ARE STANDING ON DIANA'S SHOULDERS!!!! And as MISS ROSS continues to TAKE IT HIGHER, it's clear they are not heavy. This, while Diana's "MAHOGANY" DVD continues to fly off the shelves (Mahogany Dvd - Amazon.com) and fans continue to say "I LOVE YOU" to DIANA by buying her current CD (www.dianaross.com/) featuring a title with the exact same sentiment.