A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

December 21, 2012

Georgia is more than on my mind this week. It's the blast-from-my-past backdrop of my Christmas holiday season. Between the beautiful NEW homes of our once-New-Jersey-based girlfriend Tina and once-Dallas-based girlfriend Patrice (and hubby Keron), the Atlanta leg proved quite the BLUES-BUSTER (Sometimes these holidays can find me quite SAD in reflection of what will never be again. But one friend... reminded me: CHERISH YESTERDAY! DREAM TOMORROW! LIVE TODAY! And alongside childhood BFF Ernest, I - on day one - had old-time fav J.R. CRICKETS in Mapleton (where I stumbled into Savannah homeboy and Morehouse brother Brian who I'd not seen since 1991); did a little shopping at Cumberland Mall; got to sit on photo shoot with Ern's niece Sydney who is one-to-watch and too cute (while watching Miss Ross' "Christmas in Washington"); and reconnected with one of my NYC-BFFs Trevor.

December 22, 2012

Day 2 back in GA on the ATL leg brought southern comforts (Picadilly Cafeteria with dear girlfriend Carla; home-made cookies at my sister and her husband's Lithonia home; margaritas at ATL-BFF Elise's place; Metro Cafe (old Mick's) provided one of my northern comforts: karaoke which Carla, Ern, and I enjoyed! I did Earth, Wind, & Fire's "Reasons"; Natalie Cole's "Our Love"; Whitney's "How Will I Know"; and Mariah's "Make It Happen"! FUN!); and the chance to be the first overnight guests with our fam/friends Patrice; Keron; and their boys Zach and Hunter (and a special visit from one of my dearest friends Chandra Jones and her awesome little boy Gavin!).

December 23, 2012

After last night's festivities, including a night cap at Bulldog's with friend Carla and her friends Deb and Kim, Patrice; Keron; Zach; and Hunter were Ern's and my hosts overnight into today: a delicious meal of fried pork chop; green beans; corn; mashed potatoes; and BET's "ROOTS" marathon for back-drop! Thanks y'all! Then, a pop by BFF Camille - in town from her current abode Malaysia! Always good to catch up with her PLUS she sold us some great, international goods (for gifting)! Then, en route to Savannah, we stopped by the home of my "Original Amazing Grace" (and member of Ern's and my friend circle in high school) Natalie to exchange gifts; eat some apple cake; catch up with Nat, her husband Dwayne, and the girls Lydia and Hannah. RE-NOURISHING TIME!

December 24, 2012

CHRISTMAS EVE: A little shopping at childhood hang: OGLETHORPE MALL (where I bumped into my favorite childhood cousin Eric and his lovely wife Felicia); CAREY HILLIARDS (for fried shrimp; deviled crab; white buttered toast; hush puppies; and potato salad); 1ST ROUND of our FAMILY REUNION at cousins Dee Dee and her husband Chris' place (featuring a house full of my LOVED ONES). SO BLESSED & GRATEFUL to have such a GREAT FAMILY! MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!

December 25, 2012

December 26, 2012

December 28, 2012 – January 1, 2013

AND ALL MY DAYS IN SAVANNAH! Great food! Great family! BIG fun! But all good things must come to an end! Time at home wrapped! And the wind blew us back HOME to NJ and NYC to bring in the New Year - including a lovely open house at the home of my birthday-mate Robin Stone and her son Zach. Oh! And one more karaoke with Moochie before the year wrapped.

AND HERE WE ARE!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY!

To see more of the pix from my TRIP TO GEORGIA, click here:

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR           

FRED HAMMOND

I love me some FRED HAMMOND! And guess what? HE IS IN TOWN THIS WEEK…as in THIS FRIDAY (12-21-12) at NJPAC! For tickets and more information, please click here: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR.  And tell them “…LIFE OF RILEY…” sent you!

Meanwhile, this WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR has us quite socially busy:

HOLIDAY PARTIES

Got to enjoy bowling and all of the deep-fried accoutrements at a holiday party – hosted by my recurring client BET Creative Services. GREAT TIME! Went to many holiday parties – including one hosted by one of my HARPO BFFs Ray Dotch – now a New Yorker! WELCOME, RAY! From there, Ant’s Denver peeps called us to Williamsburgh, Brooklyn for cocktails and dancing – holiday style! Great to see Manivone, Vilay, Dustin, and Paul. And the Claytons were in the house: Taha, Mustafa, and their sister Sameeya. WONDERFUL NIGHT! Another busy night had us toasting  two friends John Castro and Merrell Hollis for their birthdays (Harlem pad and Club 7/Mission respectively)! Also, got to squeeze in some BBQ-time with buddy Tony – in town from L.A. Lemuel Adams and my Carl Nelson were also in the mix. But the cream of the party crop was Mara Schiavocampo and Tommie Porter’s NINA who turns ONE.          Of course, Ant and I couldn't miss it! NINA insisted we be there! As we all gathered to celebrate her, we also got a toast in for Nina’s mom, NBC News correspondent/now-named anchor of the early-morning NBC program 'Early Today,' which airs at 4 AM ET and MSNBC's early news show 'First Look,' which airs at 5 AM ET. This, plus she will continue in her role as a correspondent, contributing to all of the NBC News platforms and programs. CONGRATS, NINA'S MOM!).

FRIENDS

On the evening of Nina’s bash, we made our way to 230 Fifth Ave to celebrate the life of our dear friend, Ross Burton. Gone too soon, but what a WONDERFUL LIFE! He touched many lives…and it was GREAT for all of us who knew him to get together – in fellowship and comfort during a difficult time.

KIMBERLA LAWSON ROBY

My publicist friend Shandra Hill Smith reached out recently regarding NAACP Award Nominee and New York Times bestselling author Kimberla Lawson Roby (www.kimroby.com). Her newest work, “THE PERFECT MARRIAGE”, Roby’s 18th title, releases on Tuesday, January 8, 2013. The Illinois native/resident is a nominee in the Outstanding Literary Work of Fiction category for the 44th Annual NAACP Image Awards (February 1, 2013). Starting with THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, Roby will have three titles published in 2013 by Grand Central Publishing, a division of Hachette Book Group. It’s a topic that grabs headlines on an almost daily basis — prescription drug abuse— the nation’s fastest-growing drug problem, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. In THE PERFECT MARRIAGE, she weaves a tale of a husband and wife — both functioning addicts balancing family and career — and their 12-year-old daughter caught in the middle. With more than two million copies in print, and known for tackling real-life social issues such as corruption within the church, sexual abuse, gambling addiction, domestic violence and racial and gender discrimination in the workplace, Roby was moved to bring attention to the issues of drug abuse and addicts who manage to mask their addictions. Again, THE PERFECT MARRIAGE releases on January 8, 2013. Roby also appears in the January 2013 issue of ESSENCE magazine and recently was featured in USA Today: http://books.usatoday.com/happyeverafter/post/2012-09-02/recommended-last-bride-in-ballymuir-the-booby-trap/837287/1.

BUT ONE MORE TIME TO MY GOSPEL LOVERS OUT THERE: FRED HAMMOND IS IN TOWN THIS WEEK…as in THIS FRIDAY (12-21-12) at NJPAC! For tickets and more information, please click here: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR.  And tell them “…LIFE OF RILEY…” sent you!

FRIENDS OF HARLEM HOSPITAL

On a referral from my BFF Sidra Smith, I was invited to host The Friends of Harlem Hospital Center’s Holiday Party (www.nychhc.org). It took place at Londel’s Restaurant in Harlem (www.londelsrestaurant.com/).  The Friends of Harlem Hospital Center was founded in 1987 on the occasion of the 100th Anniversary of Harlem Hospital Center to engage in and support activities that promote the work of the Hospital. TOTAL HONOR to be a part of a LOVE MOVEMENT which honored the iconic John M. Palmer, Ph.D, President of John Palmer Associates, Inc., a consulting company. His commitment to Harlem and the Harlem Hospital Center for which he worked - over 12 years - as the Executive Director (impact - among many things - including taking the lead on preserving and reviving the institution's beautiful murals of old into murals of new that can now be seen at the hospital). Since 2000, the Friends of Harlem Hospital Center has dispersed grants of over $1.3 million dollars; in 2008-2009 they donated $224,146 in grants to various departments and programs, and, in 2006 they donated $100,000 to Harlem Hospital Center’s Capital Campaign Modernization Project. The Friends of Harlem Hospital Center are committed to assist Hospital initiatives that are not funded by NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation. For more information about the Friends of Harlem Hospital Center call the Development office at (212) 939-1390.

MOHEGAN SUN

Ant & I got the chance to celebrate our 7th anniversary with a complimentary, two-night, three-day stay at Mohegan Sun (http://www.mohegansun.com/) in Connecticut. We had a blast! The 34-story hotel overlooks the Thames River - making for beautiful New England views and vistas. We got to dine at Bobby Flay's Bar Americain - a meal of filet mignon, shrimp & grits, deviled eggs...and lots of champagne! And ...when not dining 5-star, Johnny Rockets provided lots of comfort food - from its chili dogs to the chocolate malt. We danced a bit at Club Vista and -- of course -- we enjoyed the slots and proved WINNERS - especially on the Michael Jackson machine! SO MUCH FUN! We didn't get any spa treatments this time, but plan to return - perhaps for Ant's BDAY weekend in April. But the whole experience was a spa treatment for us - relaxing, fun, and romantic. Casino culture is unique. I enjoy popping in from time to time to experience it. Quite a re-nourishing getaway.

WICKED WILLY’S

Upon our return from the Mohegan Sun, we did a night-cap at Wicked Willy's (in the Village - next to Bitter End where I have performed a time or few in the '90s - primarily as host (and singer) for an event that was the brainchild of the brilliant Doreen Oliver: "Frustrated Artists in Corporate America" - a showcase featuring a host of 9-to-5er professionals - performing their sidelight i.e. singing, poetry, etc. What a FUN experience! ANYBODY REMEMBER THAT? But I digress, the Wicked Willy invite came from our girlfriends Ashlei and Natasha. My Carl Nelson joined us. It was karaoke night - so with what voice I had left from the 2nd-hand smoke in those CT casinos (It's still legal there to smoke inside! YUK!), I performed a - WHEW!-I-got-through-it version of "Reasons" by Earth, Wind, & Fire - one of my favorites to hear and perform.

THE LOUD 100

Shout out to my friend Stanley Bennett Clay, Contributing Editor for DBQ Magazine (as in David Bridgeforth – Editor and Publisher). I’ve just been informed that I have been named to “The Loud 100 LGBT People of Color” list, according to DBQ magazine. I’m told a hard copy of the magazine is on its way. I look forward to seeing the entire list of company of which I’m proud to be a part! Thanks GUYS! http://dbqmag.com/

LEWIS JOHNSON

Shout out to my friend Kelly J. Welborn whose idreamSpeakers, LLC is making a big difference already as the firm just launched (TWITTER: @idreamspeakers.com). Kelly’s client, seven-time NBC Olympic Commentator and ESPN reporter Lewis Johnson is hosting his World-Class Coat Drive benefiting the New York Cares 24th Annual Coat Drive and the Boys and Girls Clubs in the NY/NJ Metropolitan area (Twitter: @LewisJohnsonMG). Lewis was in New York to cover the ING NYC Marathon for ESPN in the days after Hurricane Sandy impacted the Northeast. Lewis has organized this coat drive to help families still recovering from the storm as well as those preparing for the Winter weather during this Holiday Season. He is inviting Olympic champions, world-class athletes, broadcast colleagues, corporations, and community friends to join him on Saturday, December 15, 2012 to kick-off his World-Class Coat Drive by collecting new or clean gently used winter coats, jackets, scarves, hats and gloves to donate to those impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The kick-off event plus a FREE Kids Holiday Village will be held at A Touch of Paris Art Gallery, owned by his wife, Dominique Galleron, located in historic downtown Grapevine, TX. From Saturday, December 15 - Saturday, December 29, other drop-off locations include Trinity Chiropractic Clinic in Carrollton, TX, Golden Corral in Keller, TX, The Arbors of Central Park in Bedford, TX and more locations to be announced. For more information, keep up with both entities on TWITTER.

VALIANT HORIZON

My Savannah homeboy Terry Sartor has started his own music label and production with a focus on dance music. It's called Valiant Horizon: http://www.facebook.com/valianthorizon. He is the first artist to release a single on it. It's a progressive house track called “Industry” with a number of remixes in the progressive house and techno spaces. Also, he now has another artist slated to release a single. His name is Lorchee (also known as David El). Lorchee is a music producer and DJ out of Poland. His music styles are house, techno and trance. Put your dance shoes on (or take them off) and enjoy! CONGRATS, TERRY (www.soundcloud.com/terrysartor)!

NAACP IMAGE AWARDS

Four of the five nominees in the category of the NAACP Image Award’s BEST TALK category have one degree of separation with me as they are all recurring clients! CONGRATS to : "Don't Sleep!" (BET); "Oprah's Lifeclass" (OWN); "Oprah's Next Chapter" (OWN); and "The View" (ABC).  I made recent impressions - on-cam and/or behind-the-scenes - on all of them this last year and change. My recent appearance on BET’s Don't Sleep, with T. J. Holmes for its POST-ELECTION DAY SHOW with Rapper The Game and MSNBC’s Toure: Here’s a clip: http://www.bet.com/video/dont-sleep/highlights/2012/sleep-talkers-don-t-sleep-121-12021.html. Also, I was interviewed back-stage before the show: http://bet.us/TuU3Eb.

MISS ROSS, THE OBAMAS, & CHRISTMAS

My Miss Ross overcame the challenge of a broken ankle to perform in excellence (with choir accompaniment) for the annual "Christmas In Washington" television-concert special, which will air on TNT Friday, December 21^st (http://www.tntdrama.com/schedule/).

Hosted by Late Night's Conan O'Brien, the show also featured appearances Demi Lovato and Scotty McCreery, among others… but MOST SUPREME: MISS ROSS! http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/diana-ross-performs-at-tnts-christmas-in-washington/2012/12/10/a201c766-42e9-11e2-8e70-e1993528222d_video.html.

ROSS BURTON R.I.P.

We had many friends in common. All ABSOLUTELY LOVED HIM! When I met him and got to know him for a short, but recent window of time (the last five years or so), I too found him to be an AWESOME GUY! SUPER NICE & SWEET! And SO HANDSOME! Death is bigger than us and our comprehension sometimes. This one - for sure - feels like he's GONE TOO SOON! R.I.P. ROSS! Please see the info below re: a Celebration of ROSS' beautiful life that will take place here in NYC!

HAPPILY THANKFUL

By way of our mutual BFFs Carl Nelson and Sidra Smith, Tichina Arnold has become an uber-cool friend, often chronicled in "...The Life of Riley..." - from casual hangs to L.A. sightings to the night she joined us at Native Restaurant for "All-Star Karaoke Thursday Night" (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/tichina-arnold). Whenever we all connect, it's a good time! With some of Tichina's own fam in tow and my BFF Ern in the mix, we all gathered at Sid's place for an impromptu, day-after-Thanksgiving feast - comprised of delightful dishes Sid had prepared the day prior and lovingly warmed up for us to enjoy. Seasoned to perfection, the menu included turkey, dressing, collard greens, yams, macaroni and cheese, sweet potato pie, and more! For entertainment, Tichina gave our ears a sneak-peek of her new music (for a CD on which she's been working and plans to release - maybe independently). I've always been a fan of Tichina, THE SINGER. As she writes most of the material, I can now say I'm a fan of Tichina, THE SINGER/SONGWRITER! Meanwhile, Tichina, THE ACTRESS, is busy as ever ---- celebrating TV Land's acquiring 11 more episodes of her hit sitcom (with THE NANNY's Fran Drescher): "Happily Divorced" (www.tvland.com/shows/happily-divorced). So, Season 2 - which premieres next Wednesday, November 28th (with a guest star turn by Joan Collins) - will now run for 24 episodes. ANOTHER NIGHT during THANKSGIVING weekend, we found ourselves in Brooklyn at SOCO Restaurant (www.socobk.com/) and we got to hang out with girlfriend Vilay and her beau. A little karaoke afterwards at DUETS 53 rounded that night out. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, we are GRATEFUL to dear friends Danielle and Bernard who threw a MOST-DELIGHTFUL THANKSGIVING DINNER – menu including: Marinated Roasted Turkey; Baked Glazed Ham (a la Ernest Maynor); Red Beans & Rice; Caribbean Mac & Cheese with Smokey Chipotle Peppers; Cornbread Stuffing with Andouille Sausage & Aromatic Vegetables; Candied Yams; Potato Salad; Sauteed String Beans with Shallots & Pancetta; Spicy Apple Cranberry Relish (and my favorite Cranberry Sauce from the can). Cocktails included Torched Cherry Sangria and Homemade Bajan Rum Punch. DESSERT included Fresh Fruit Tart, Carrot Cake, Sweet Potato Pie, and a Red Velvet Cake (for my birthday: SURPRISE!). Bernard’s parents; cousin; and aunt were in the mix as well… and we had a blast!

PIANO LESSON

With Chicago buddies Jaci and Kelli in tow, we were HONORED to be in the presence – once again – of Tony Award winner RUBEN SANTIAGO-HUDSON. He's Director of August Wilson's "The Piano Lesson" in NYC. (Shout out to my friend, Walk Tall Girl Productions/Black Theater Online’s Marcia Pendelton (http://walktallgirlproductions.com/). She made sure we were all in the house as she works on the marketing/audience team for this show and many shows – Broadway and off-Broadway). Ruben directs August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson”… and we got to enjoy a wine & cheese/photo-op moment with him (for personal catch up); but prior, a discussion between Ruben and Vinnie Bagwell (the sculptor who created the art that is on the piano) took place…and they each talked about their process, the history and themes behind the sculptures, Ruben's personal connection with August Wilson and SO MUCH MORE! I’ve hung out with Ruben a time or few in New York City – including a run-in at a Halle Berry movie premiere (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/12/1/i-recall-the-scenes-that-never-die.html)  and I interviewed him at the American Stroke Association’s benefit at The Apollo last year (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/5/15/nothing-ventured-nothing-gained.html).  He’s always a JOY and ready to tell amazing stories – on and off the stage. And now that “Piano Lesson” has been extended to January 13th, you MUST check it out yet another of his directorial masterpieces: http://www.signaturetheatre.org/tickets/production.aspx?pid=2371.

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

Toasts all around for our 7 YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Got one more toast in with Chicago friends Jaci and Kelli. From there, on the actual day, we laid low at home before heading out to toast with friends Carl Nelson, Andy Diaz, and others at NABJ buddy Taj Tsonga’s place followed by a New Ro HIGH-FIVE at A Loft with my Amazing Grace Nichole; Troy; Michelle Sanchez-Boyce; Nelson Boyce; Cynthia Burgos; Elijah; Dawn; Tracey; and the rest of the crew! We even snuck in a late night/early morning Amy Ruth meal. Then, Sunday brunch (and lots more toasting) with The Porters…and MISS NINA! Shout out to Rakia for the "Cosby Show" nod! CUTE SHIRT!

HAPPILY THANKFUL, INDEED!

GOLD

Have I been on this earth 42 years? Well, the calendar says so! And as it always falls a few days before THANKSGIVING, I always get an annual nudge in the direction of GRATITUDE! And I am GRATEFUL for so much, even though I couldn’t manage an escape from my work load this year. It didn’t matter because (1) I am GRATEFUL for the work (as an independent personality/producer/writer) & (2) You know we still got it in! LOL! Dinner here. Cake there. Karaoke there. Karaoke here. My karaoke posse. My guy. My family. My friends (AKA extended family). My health. My girls. My AMAZING GRACES! And a SMILE! What else do I need? THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WELL WISHES, LOVE, and UNYIELDING SUPPORT!

HEARTS

In the spirit of my birthday weekend, I was too excited to receive the rare and treasured gift of being able to hang out with two of my BFFs Carl Nelson and Sidra Smith. We attended the Hearts of Gold's 16th Annual Fall Fundraising Gala sponsored by Rémy Martin® on Friday, November 16th here in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion (http://www.heartsofgold.org/). And what a beautiful night it was! I was happy to have a hand in enrolling client Rémy Martin® to participate in this charity event which supports an organization that fosters sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. In the house: my buddy Rhonda Ross who brilliantly performed "Cabaret" for the so-themed event. The irony wasn't lost on her: Rhonda's mom Diana was expected to win the Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Holliday in "Lady Sings The Blues" in 1972. Instead, Liza Minnelli snagged the prize for "Cabaret". Rhonda and I had a giggle about it, her noting that other friends and family members were clutching their pearls at the song selection. Irony has never been lost on Miss Diana as she performed "Family" from the Broadway show "Dreamgirls" in her legendary 1983 Central Park shows (rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUtqo7_mEMY & shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtXS8R_iILs) at a time where she was believed to not be in love with the staged musical's loose interpretation of her own life story. I got to discuss that tid-bit with the song's writer Henry Krieger a few years back when Ant was still a producer for STARZ! in Denver and he flew in to interview Mr. Krieger (and to celebrate our 1 YEAR TOGETHER! It'll be 7 YEARS come December): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/12/3/i-have-a-dream-today.html). BUT I "DI"-GRESS, though I know my DIANA fans Andreas (in town from Germany) and Jim don't mind! LOL! Other hosts at HEARTS OF GOLD included my National Association of Black Journalists sister friend Soledad O'Brien and my friend Tamara Tunie (whose husband Gregory Generet was in the house. He is performing at SMOKE every Thursday, singing his beautiful and bold brand of jazz (with a little soul to boot). You should check it out: http://gregorygeneret.com/. Of course, I referenced in my last blog entry Tamara's latest - including "Flight" with Denzel Washington: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/11/8/freedom-you-see.html). Hearts of Gold Founder Deborah Koenigsberger led a team that raised lots of money for this great cause. Special shout out to my girlfriends, WABC News 7 Divas Kemberly Richardson and career-long friend Sandra Bookman, anchor and host of "Here & Now" (http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/channel?section=resources/lifestyle_community/community&id=7108383), which recently produced a segment on Deborah and her Hearts of Gold work.

PURPOSE

Shout out to my friend and NYC's favorite socialite and businesswoman Bevy Smith. She invited "...The Life of Riley..." out to celebrate the launch of "The Purpose Awards" with multicultural marketer/author, Teneshia Jackson Warner. She is quite the exemplar and grio on multicultural marketing and connecting with consumers through philanthropic endeavors. So many amazing friends (from my fellow journalists to entertainers and tastemakers I've admired for a long time) were in the room. I won't list them all...but you'll recognize some of them at this networking fiesta. Beauty & Essex was the well-appointed back-drop where we ate on roasted carrot & avocado salad; whipped rocotta 'jewels on toast'; chipotle grilled shrimp; lobster tacos; grilled salmon; broccolini; filet mignon; yukon gold potato puree; petite cupcakes; and caramel mousse bombe. I must mention the honorees - most of whom have touched the life of Riley:

1. "My Black Is Beautiful" (http://www.myblackisbeautiful.com/); TWITTER: @MBIBMovement; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/mbib 

* Was great to produce one of its integrations for "The Wendy Williams Show": http://www.wendyshow.com/MyBlackIsBeautiful/, which got a hit in Black Enterprise: http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/giving-back-against-all-odds/.

2. Kathryn Finney (www.thebudgetfashionista.com); TWITTER: @KathrynFinney; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Finney-The-Budget-Fashionista/17011731381

3. Phillip Bloch (www.phillipbloch.com); TWITTER: @phillipbloch; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Phillip-Bloch (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/8/23/harlem-sparkle.html)

4. Chef Roble (www.chefrobleandco.com); TWITTER: @ChefRoble; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Roble/82813671947

(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/7/19/bright-daze-dark-knights.html)

5. Beverly Bond (www.blackgirlsrockinc.com); TWITTER: @BLACKGIRLSROCK; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK

(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/1/27/black-tales.html) 

6. Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine (www.disneydreamersacademy.com); TWITTER: @dreamersacademy; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy

* Am excited to have attended and been a host of several programs for the Disney Dreamers Academy: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/disneys-dreamers-academy

Check out Teneshia's book "Profit with Purpose: A Marketer's Guide to Delivering Purpose-Driven Campaigns to Multicultural Audiences" (Order Direct And Save: http://www.paramountbooks.com/ - 888-787-2800 - TOLL FREE). And you can tweet accordingly: @egamiconsulting @teneshiajwarner #profitwithpurpose

EYES

You recall, I hosted an awesome, recorded event at NYPR's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in Manhattan on "Teacake's Legacy" (a la Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God"). Here's a link to that awesome session: http://www.thegreenespace.org/events/thegreenespace/2012/sep/17/their-eyes-were-watching-god-teacakes-legacy/. Well, in the wake of that booking, synergy partner WNYC's The Big Read is making up the second phase of The Greene Space year-long celebration of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (and the novel's 75 years since it was first published 75 years ago in September of 1937). I hosted a BIG READ book club of sorts on the literary work - using clips from the campaign's original roll out which I also chronicled in "....The Life of Riley...": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/zora-neale-hurston) the production of the first American adaptation of the story as a radio play directed by acclaimed actor and playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson, starring Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, Roslyn Ruff, Brandon Dirden and Leslie Uggams, in NYPR's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. During the month of November, WNYC's Community Engagement & Audience Development Department are hosting Big Read listening sessions in various communities. You can check out our website for where some of the others will take place and for more information: www.wnyc.org/events. Special shout out to one of the participants who won the raffle (Kindle Fire). Also a big THANKS to my National Association of Black Journalists/Garden Stare Association of Black Journalists' sister Henrietta Parker - an award-winning producer of content that matters (at NJN).

THANKS

Will miss dinner with The Porters this year. They have other plans. We’ll still be around though. I am excited to partake of a lovely meal at our hosts Danielle and Bernard’s lovely home in NJ. Recently - after working in an edit on a Saturday – an invitation did make its way to us a la The Porters (Mara Schiavocampo and Tommie Porter).

Mara felt like cooking and – VOILA! – we had a Saturday night dinner of chicken, potatoes & gravy, asparagus, homemade biscuits, and a sock-it-to-me cake! While commuting to their Harlem digs, I wondered “Is Mara going to bring ‘Amy Ruth’ or ‘Martha Stewart’?” Well, honey! She brought a mélange! And it was nothing short of DELICIOUS and delightful with some of my favorite people also in the house – including Ant; publicist Rachel Noerdlinger; her boo Hasaan; our in-house shrink-in-process Anwar along with his mentee; and Jamar! As always, THANKS PORTERS!

 ALSO: For the latest on their offspring, Miss Nina: Sure, she's walking. Most babies eventually do that. But she's turning into a viral and TV sensation. From a lullaby (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4360775780176) to a funny viral in which she let me co-star (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4849253031802) to THE TODAY SHOW in designer couture (I didn't get the call for that gig! LOL!). Yes, it's true! Nina made her national TV debut on the Today Show - modeling some very fine threads! GO NINA: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49804995.

FUTURE

You all know I believe in inspiring and motivating the young folks as those before me did for me. I got a call from my friend Scott. He’s a Norfolk State University alum (and he is Sheryl Lee Ralph's right hand often when she throws her annual DIVAS: SIMPLY SINGING (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/10/12/divas-simply-singing-more.html)). He asked if Ant and I would speak to the NSU students who were coming to NYC on their annual media tour (I’ve entertained them before: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/12/1/i-recall-the-scenes-that-never-die.html).  Was great to speak alongside NYC-socialite buddy Chasity Saunders, NSU alum who is modeling; acting; and presenting all over the place (http://www.chasitysaunders.com/)! Another alum: Zeke from “The Amazing Race” was in the house, dropping science on the kids. Always good to speak to the young folks as I just did at FAMU when I was recently the Keynote Speaker for the closing ceremony of the NABJ Multi-media Short Course: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/10/10/full-circle.html. 

One young man - among the NSU students - sent me a note today. In excerpt, he said "...I had to e-mail you and personally thank you for coming to speak to us. It meant more to me than anyone else. As a gay black man, I was so happy to meet you Friday and to meet someone with such an impressive body of work. You are everything I wish to be and everything I want to accomplish...." THE HONOR WAS MINE, I emailed back: "...to hear that I could be a role model to a self-actualized, young Black gay man is quite a GIFT (It's my BIRTHDAY, after all!). I wasn't always so certain that marrying my SEXUAL ORIENTATION to my CAREER was the right thing to do. But in my mid-20s, I'm thrilled that I channeled my AUTHENTIC, LOVING, VULNERABLE self to have ALL MY POSSIBILITIES show up... and I'm still working on the next level, yet feel equipped to do so because I'm TRANSPARENT - if just evidenced by some of my media impressions this year: 

1. My blog "A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/ captures much of what those opportunities have looked like of late. It's proven to be quite a promotable arm to my brand... and I feel the love from all demos!

2. I’ve been bitten by the ON-CAM POP CULTURE ANALYST bug! BET’s DON’T SLEEP – HOSTED BY T.J. HOLMES reached out and booked me for one of its ‘evergreen’ tapings prior to its launch ( http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/9/28/arms-open-wide.html). The week I spoke to you and your fellow NSU classmates here in NYC, I was invited back to DON'T SLEEP for POST-ELECTION DAY talk - including chat about the first two states to pass same-sex marriage via a public vote (Maryland and Maine). Here’s a clip: http://www.bet.com/video/dont-sleep/highlights/2012/sleep-talkers-don-t-sleep-121-12021.html. Also,  I was interviewed back-stage before the show: http://bet.us/TuU3Eb.  I got to wax philosophical with journalist/cultural critic Toure, and rapper “The Game” who noted he’s a fan of my blog (WOW! LOL!). I’m assured return bookings from the producers.

3. ...and as I do more pop culture analysis, NBC News/The Grio has been calling on me - recently to weigh-in on the NAACP's endorsement of gay marriage: http://www.thegrio.com/politics/will-naacp-gay-marriage-resolution-change-black-hearts-and-minds.php; On New Year's Eve to 2011, I made my "debut" on THE TODAY SHOW (as on-cam 'pop culture analyst') inside a piece that NBC Digitial Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo did on the ball drop in New York's Times Square (http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/PatrickDemoSept2011.mov). And other moments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc6x5JlJuw.

4. My latest CNN.com piece on gay men and their best women friends published a couple of weeks ago: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/living/gay-best-friend as well as the companion blog entry I blasted out the same day: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/8/7/my-girls.html. This assignment that came in the wake of my contribution to CNN.com's Martin Luther King Jr. Monument coverage in October 2011: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/14/us/mlk-memorial-morehouse-glee-club/index.html.

AND THAT'S JUST THE WORK that books me INSIDE that piece. I'm booked far and wide... for much and more ---- and ALL AS I AM!" HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!