A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

xscape puerto rico 2016

WHAT A WEEKEND! And I MUST say off the top, it would NOT have happened without the recommendation from my partner Ant’s sister from another mother, Sabrina Coleman AKA Bri Cole AKA Pansophy PR guru – clients over the years having included and including LEON, FRENCHIE DAVIS, MICHAEL JAI WHITE, PRESSURE, and XSCAPE PR!

Once she extended the advisement to Xscape Puerto Rico founders Gregory Douglas and Maurice Foley, they invited me to co-host and present at their Memorial Day Weekend Tropical Getaway for an esteemed LGBTQ set, I couldn’t refuse.

Was a bit more of a journey to get to this weekend --- with family crisis; some reversals on our original deal; lots of juggling deadlines, but I’m clear where I was supposed to be this weekend! WHAT A BLAST!

We CELEBRATED all things Patrik Ian Polk and the cast of Noah's Arc, including the one cast member with whom I'd yet to take a pic til now:Gregory Keith who plays Alex's partner and an anesthesiologist Trey Iverson. Always loved him on the show.This was one of many highlights that included a “Noah’s Arc” reunion with most of the balance of the cast: Darryl Stephens; Jensen Atwood - my friend who is always such a joy....
 and such a stand for the LGBTQ set as he looks to showcase his authentic hetero side in the upcoming season of TV One's "Hollywood Divas" (but the "children" still love them some Jensen - me included);and Rodney Chester. I share to inspire you joining us next year: www.xscapepr.com. Instagram: xscapepuertorico  Twitter: @xscapepr

Oh! And my dear friend James Earl Hardy – who I met via the National Association of Black Journalists in 1995 in Philadelphia – who is responsible for the B BOY BLUES franchise: books and staged work – was honored with a Vanguard Award. Love him and his work so much! Congrats James!

And you MUST KNOW Miss Frenchie Davis was a fierce and fun presence to the gathering of hundreds of LGBT professionals and our friends – performing a fab set of material in Old San Juan for one of our late night parties. She did Whitney’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)”; Katy Perry’s “Fireworks”; a tribute to Prince and Denise Matthews: Vanity 6’s “Nasty Girl”; a remixed Rihann’s “We Found Love” with just piano accompaniment; and an a capella “Home”. YAZZZZ! AND THANK YOU!

We didn’t do ALL STAR KARAOKE (which I host in New York City) this year in Puerto Rico (though I did stumble upon some karaoke in the general lounge…and I just had to get “The Boss” in for the packed lobby). But as a Celebrity Ambassador, I got the chance to host the Opening Night party, which was star-filled: Angie Stone played her new CD “Dream” and performed a few tracks from it (and her classic repertoire). She received XSCAPE PR’s Vanguard award that night.

Was also a treat to introduce two of my favorites with whom I’ve had the chance to know on a friend/fam tip these last few years: My R&B DIVA QUEEN MONIFAH and The Queen of Bounce: BIG FREEDIA – both also VANGUARD AWARD RECIPIENTS... in addition to supermodel and star on “Real Housewives of Atlanta”, Miss Cynthia Bailey: She shared her eyewear --- and lots of generous, connected time --- with everyone. LOVED hanging with her this weekend. THE KIDS LOVE CYNTHIA BAILEY!

Also there were wonderful HIV/AIDS awareness panels – one featuring my friend Marco Benjamin with the Aids Healthcare Foundation. There were also many authors in the mix including Sundiata Alaye whose book "Empty Promises Private Pain: A Light Out of Darkness" is winner of James Baldwin Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in the Arts

I don’t want to forget anyone, but let me take a stab at  sharing with you who was in the house: Wendell James (“Raising Whitley”); THE VIEW’s Raven Symone accompanied EMPIRE and AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL’s own Azmarie Livingston; Ariane Davis (“Love & Hip Hop Atlanta”); my friend Clay Cane who presented his BET.com documentary “Holler if You Hear Me: Black and Gay in the Church”; Juan & Gee (Power Couple/Love Works/The Gentlemen's Ball); Torrei Hart (Actress & Reality TV Star/Hollywood Ex's ATL); Melli B, out hip hop artist; Sampson McCormick, Stand Up Comedian.Writer.Activist; MJ Harris (Co-Founder & Vice President-The Hurston Group); CoachG - Health & Fitness Expert; Alain Fagnidi, Celebrity & Intl. Lifestyle Brand Designer; Chef Will Brown (TV Network Personality); Sundiata Alaye (“Empty Promises Private Pain "A Light Out of Darkness"”); Rashad Burgess (Gliead Sciences, Inc.); playwright and actor Daniel Beatty; etc.

My childhood BFF Ernest joined me after Ant couldn’t make it due to a family emergency. We enjoyed the company of Moe Dee; Ashley; and so many others. And when Sabrina Coleman wasn’t juggling her many balls as publicist of Frenchie Davis and XScape PR or her production/script writing duties for The Vanguard Awards or the Opening Night party for which she produced me, we all got several much-needed doses of fun and relaxation, which – even with rungs of resort hiccups – couldn’t make our time at XScape PR anything short of a OPRAH-LEGENDS-WEEKEND-style LOVE FEST! LOVE YOU ALL…and see you NEXT YEAR!

DISNEY on Broadway

“Can I tell you the way that Disney does it? There’s something for everyone. Shows like Aladdin and The Lion King get us in touch with our inner child.” That’s what I told the hosts at Arise Entertainment 360 a couple of years ago on my former, recurring theater segment: : https://youtu.be/3x2PkFiqqu8 . Since Ant and I met on Broadway almost 11 years ago at Oprah Winfrey Presents The Color Purple and I’m always waxing theatrical on some platform, the PR folks with these shows asked LIFE OF RILEY to return and – via blast – to underscore that any of Disney’s Broadway fare is a swell date night in addition to being a kid-friendly experience. Take some time to re-experience these amazing productions and each other on a DISNEY ON BROADWAY DATE NIGHT:www.disneyonbroadway.com. TWO favorites (among many) are in these two Great White Way productions ALADDIN has Clifton Davis (whose LIFE AFTER on TV ONE is among the shows on which I appeared as pop culture analyst) As always, THANK YOU for keeping up with LIFE OF RILEY:www.thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/... and THE LION KING has Morehouse brother RUSSELL BROWN, a Broadway veteran, in it. BRAVO TO ALL! As Ant and I were en route to the earlier curtain of 7p, we happened upon “Wicked” co-star Peter Scolari who I got the chance to interview a year or so ago for recurring client OWN-TV’s “Oprah, Where Are They Now?”:https://youtu.be/cwexkUN9iZU and https://youtu.be/noz_zrQasH4. then from Broadway’s “Shuffle Along”, we happened upon tap star Savion Glover and director George C. Wolfe – both Broadway babies! I also got to recently interview multi-Tony-award-winning “Shuffle Along” star Audra McDonald for #WhereAreTheyNow - https://youtu.be/pE5EgP-a6Kc. #broadway #arise360 #aladdinonbroadway#thelionkingonbroadway #BazanPR#TheColorPurple #OprahWinfrey #Oprah#allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #DisneyOnBroadway

Mist Harlem Steps screening

After we’d all gathered for the Premiere on November 19 2015 in Jersey City, my partner Ant – an events manager at MIST Harlem – told Eddie Harris he should be bring his film ‪#‎STEPSTHEMOVIE to NEW YORK CITY – for our NYC-based friends and tastemakers. STEPS is Co-Directed by Jay Rodriguez and Rock Davis and Executive Produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Like the New Jersey screening, the positive feedback was FELT! And the filmmakers are still taking meetings on which platform(s) we will see our labor of love. I’d mentioned before AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST QAASIM MIDDLETON is in it too along with his brother KHALIL MIDDLETON. AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL! And BIGGEST of THANKS to EDDIE HARRIS and PENWAH for casting me in this amazing project! For more info, go to www.Stepsthemovie.info. THANKS EVERYBODY for your well wishes and for supporting LIFE OF RILEY – including a ‪#‎bosschoir of NYC family including Director/Producer/Casting Giant Tracey Moore; she and my childhood friend Maurice Marable’s son Myles, actor extraordinaire; photography diva Rowena Husbands; DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON Producer Carl Nelson; Emmy-award-winning GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo; Morehouse brother/LIVE FROM FRONT ROW Publisher Michael K. Watts; international model and Bobby Roache Eyeglass wear designer; BFF since childhood/LIBERTY realtor Ernest Maynor; BE NICE Production’s own Bernice Wooden (All Star Karaoke Producer); All Star Karaoke FAVORITE/Hospitality Expert Ephraim Walker; KOBIE CHRONICLES’ own Kobie Brown (Morehouse brother whose online series “Red, White, & Baltimore” we want you to check out soon: http://thekobie.tv/red-white-baltimore-american-story/);  etc. ‪#‎GRATITUDE ‪#‎steps ‪#‎shaquilleoneal#stepsthemovie ‪#‎billiesblack ‪#‎allstarkaraoke ‪#‎MISS_JESSIES‪#‎MISSJESSIESBOOK ‪#‎TITIGIFT ‪#‎MIKOBRANCH ‪#‎MISTHarlem [Some social media: @ebhproductions for EDDIE HARRIS; @rockdaviscom for ROCK DAVIS; @jayscorsese for JAY RODRIGUEZ]

All Star Karaoke for ONE NIGHT ONLY

Billie’s Black PRESENTS All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley: ONE NIGHT ONLY last night was OFF THE CHAIN! And we are so EXCITED to have ushered in B2 --- the closing down of Billie’s Black for SIX WEEKS – at which time BILLIE’S will return SHINY AND NEW under the Creative Direction of Steve Harvey’s own Interior Design Expert/Personality Mikel Welch. DJMARIOTV captured the night beautifully! THANKS DJ MARIO:https://www.facebook.com/djmario.harlem/videos/1113579195381516/?pnref=story.unseen-section

HIGHLIGHTS included:

*Like we do every week – usually as our FINALE: #THEBOSSCHOIR: Excerpt Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153688858823737/?l=8846900760458209405 and Excerpt Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153688868348737/?l=852409540132990470

* MISS JESSIE'S giveaways: VIP bags for our special guests: NABJ Vice President-Broadcast Dorothy Tucker, CBS2 Anchor/Reporter and – via a recent Miko Branch media impression - I-Heart Radio Show Host (in town celebrating her birthday). Also, the cast of BLOOD AT THE ROOT – about Jena Six: Kenzie Ross, Allison Scarlet Jaye, and Stori Ayers were excited to walk away with their VIP MISS JESSIE’s bags as well:https://www.facebook.com/BloodAtTheRoot. 

* BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine with MISS JESSIE'S Co-Founder & CEO Miko Branch on the cover

* JOSEPH RILEY LAND GOURMET PANTRY (raffle for three amazing gift baskets – two at $75 each and one at $125 value): https://www.facebook.com/rileylandgourmetpantry/?fref=ts

* BILLIE'S BLACK ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE - presented by ALL STAR KARAOKE (December 2015 - extended through February 2016): Contemporary Artist Shenna Vaughn had ART for sell (SHENNA: "I Create Soulful Funk On Canvas to Create A Mind Blowing Experience"): http://www.shennavaughn.com/

* ANOTHER featured sponsor that we introduced during SEASON 4 of ALL STAR KARAOKE: SHOO NAIL POLISH - via its Founder and CEO Shawanda Vickers who donated 20 gift bags and TESTIFIED how her partnership in SEASON 4 (Fall 2015) led her to being covered in BLACK ENTERPRISE (Look out for it!). 

* TICKET GIVEAWAYS for BROADWAY/OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS:
Walk Tall Girl Productions – a pair of comps for TURN ME LOOSE: http://turnmelooseplay.com/
Walker International Communications Group, Inc – a pair of comps for BLOOD AT THE ROOT: https://www.facebook.com/BloodAtTheRoot and a SNEAK PEEK from the cast. 

* HARLEM SKIN & LASER CLINIC GIFT CARD - $175 (for raffle)

THANKS TO ALL! See you later, Billie’s Black! AND look for the return of BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley in the FALL; however, we’ll be announcing some spot ALL STAR KARAOKE dates soon!
ALLSTARKARAOKE#MOTOWNMAY#StockYourPantry#missjessiesbookLegacy_of#TitiBranch#RileyLandGourmetPantry #BlackEnterprise#ShennaVaughn #ShooNailPolish#WalkTallGirlProductions #WICG#ShawandaVickers #SevenBrown #HarlemSkinCare#HarlemSkinAndLaserCare

MISS JESSIE’S has been on the road, hear?

1. MIKO'S BOOK "Miss Jessie's - Creating a Successful Business from Scratch...NATURALLY" is going to be released in paper back April 2017.

2. MISS JESSIE's is also in a promo window around a new product: MULTICULTURAL CURLS.

3. Miko Keynoted the MOREHOUSE INNOVATION EXPO 2016: http://www.morehouseinnovates.com: A Conversation about the Mindset of an Entrepreneur.

4. WHILE IN ATLANTA, SOME SPOT MEDIA:

REBEL LIFESTYLE w/Drea Nicole

ROLLING OUT in-studio interview

CBS RADIO interview in-studio interview

5. A PULSEBEAT.TV DETROIT EXCLUSIVE - interviewed by Pulsebeat.TV's award-winning multimedia journalist Greg Dunmore inside the franchise PULSEBEAT.TV "Greg Dunmore's Hot Happenings!!!" on WMYD TV20 Detroit… As it’s been airing in MOTOWN and surrounding areas since Sunday, indicators are that “MISS JESSIE’S IS A HIT”! Check it out here: http://pulsebeat.tv/?p=2201.

 6.  USA Today feature coming up in a few weeks…. Stay tuned!

 7.  Emmy-award-winning Berlinda Garnett, Producer at FOX 29 Philadelphia invited Miko to be a guest on Good Day Philadelphia: http://www.fox29.com/good-day. Hosts Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick conducted a GREAT INTERVIEW! AND DR. OZ WAS IN THE HOUSE! EXCITING!  http://www.fox29.com/Live.

8.  Philadelphia Sunday Sun also did an interview with Miko that day, care of Philly-based writer and President-Elect of PBPRS Monica Peters.

Oprah Where Are They Now?

I am still being heavily dispatched for recurring client OWN's "Oprah, Where Are They Now?" - including interviews that have already run this season:

 a. Carol's Daughter (Lisa Price):

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/founder-carols-daughter-overcoming-social-media-backlash

b. The Chew's Carla Hall:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/surprising-way-chef-carla-hall-found-passion

c. Coming up this Saturday, April 2nd: Nancy Grace:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/moment-nancy-grace-will-never-forget-o-j-simpson-trial

d. My Audra McDonald just aired:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE5EgP-a6Kc

e. My Iman airs this upcoming Saturday:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/iman-reveals-secrets-lasting-marriage-late-david-bowie

and

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/iman-says-quit-fashion-d-listers-like-paris-hilton

f. ...AND Honey Boo Boo/Mama June are coming up April 30th:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/peek-inside-mama-june-refrigerator

Street Talk

I'm also being retained this season by WENDY WILLIAMS in partnership with MetroPCS to produce the show's monthly, sponsored franchise: STREET TALK:

a. APRIL edition: https://youtu.be/2uuFdiQ_Mk0

b. MARCH edition: https://youtu.be/ETRlN_0FrU8

c. VALENTINE'S edition: https://youtu.be/j807PlmE9VU

d. JANUARY edition: https://youtu.be/vqobPt_ecNo

e. Our HOLIDAY EDITION from mid-December 2015: https://youtu.be/EGI3agscKDA

f.  Thanksgiving 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwBc_wEzTE

g. WENDY/KMART: https://youtu.be/NJJcSZ7xJTw   #‎ShoppingIsFunAgain 

Let me know if you want to do one. Email me at patarack@hotmail.com and patarack_riley@yahoo.com

REST IN PRINCE

 If ALL STAR KARAOKE was up, we'd be doing a PRINCE night! I've LOVED Prince since he came out in the late '70s. He was an enrolling mystery of gargantuan talent that I followed closely from his launch to and through CONTROVERSY, 1999, the iconic PURPLE RAIN, Vanity, Apollonia, Sheila E, Sheena Easton's SUGAR WALLS...and each and every live show I saw from 1982 to - most recently - his August 2016 walk onto the stage at Paisley Park to greet all of the National Association of Black Journalists Conventioneers who loaded a dozen or so busses to hang out at Paisley Park and - if chosen - maybe we could touch the hem of his garment. I didn't get that close, but did indeed bask in being inside - all up and through - PAISLEY PARK. One show I'll always remember: December 19, 2010. Madison Square Garden. Sold Out! Ant & I were honored to be in the number that was sent a pair of comp tix from Prince's go-to publicist Yvette Noel-Schure. Ant delayed his flight to Denver for Christmas – giving us one more date night before we respectively parted ways to see our families. Like always, PRINCE was on FIRE! And performed just about EVERYTHING! WHAT A GIFT! THAT NIGHT! FOR MOST OF MY LIFE! FOREVER! "GLAD THAT YOU ARE FREE", PRINCE!

MISS ROSS

The iconic Diana Ross headlines during Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage kickoff concert! One ICON LOST but HEALING that the MINISTER OF LOVE, MISS ROSS, could SERENADE the mourning crowd with her REPERTOIRE of JOY AND L'AMOUR! And SO MANY WERE THERE to WITNESS IT ALL - from Rev. Al Sharpton to Sherri Shepherd to Robert Townsend adn a boat-load more! #DianaRoss #FantasticVoyage16#TomJoynerCruise 

#PartyWithAPurpose #cruise#Miami #concert #BonVoyage

Jody Watley EXPLODED

Miss Jody Watley invited Anthony Harper and me out on a Saturday date night TO JODY WATLEY - SHALAMAR RELOADED at B.B. King Blues Club & Grill #TimeSquare!! Jody Watley, Nate, Rosero, and the whole Shalamar Reloaded crew SERVED and DELIVERED! New music and TWO rare gems for me: her "Makeover" Ross cover LOVE HANGOVER: a 72nd birthday homage to THE SUPREME DIANA! Also, she did my EVERYTHING which I asked that she do the next time she was in town! JODY is a WOMAN of her WORD! And a GORGEOUS ONE, might I add! SHE'S FOREVER YOUNG & FOREVER FABULOUS!Along with all the great hits and one upcoming SMASH they performed for the first time, ORIGINAL - an ode to the social media trolls, cyber bullies, and flat-out haters out there, JODY WATLEY commanded the room LEGENDARILY SO - with LOVE and FLAIR:

https://www.facebook.com/ShalamarReloaded/videos/919602521493810/?pnref=story! And SHALAMAR RELOADED took us "back" to the "future" to know pointedly that this LEGACY of MUSIC, DANCE, and STYLE is FOREVER! And never before has it been more relevant than RIGHT NOW! BRAVO, MISS JODY! LOVE YOU SO! #JodyWatley #ShalamarReloaded#nightlife #saturdaynightexperience #itsinthemusic#concerts 

#music #dance #style #MusicMonday#Entertainment #Easterweekend #MissRoss#DianaRoss 

#LoveHangover #TheMakeover

BILLIE'S BLACKOUT

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIANA ROSS! MARIAH CAREY! CHAKA KHAN! ARETHA FRANKLIN! ALL THE ARIES DIVAS! WE/I sing them at Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley whenever I can! SAVE THE DATE: Thursday, April 14th... and LOOK OUT FOR OUR PROMO TOP OF NEXT WEEK: Billie's Black Gourmet Soul is going under renovation from mid-April for a couple of months. So, SEASON 5 of Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley will be back in the FALL 2016! BUT on THURSDAY, APRIL 14TH from 7p-11p, we will do a ONE NIGHT ONLY All Star Karaoke followed by an 11p-3am AFTER SET that we'll call BILLIE'S BLACKOUT!

THURSDAY, APRIL 14TH. 
Event Time: ALL STAR KARAOKE: 7pm - 11pm Full menu
Billie's Blackout after set: 11pm - 3am Appetizers will be served 
Drink Specials: $5 Well Drinks/ $3 Shots RESERVATIONS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED for seating and dining during ALL STAR KARAOKE: 212.280.2248.‪#‎billiesblack‬#allstarkaraoke#billiesblackout 

P.S. When we're back up, come and DANCE & SING with us:https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152166354908737#getready#motownthemusical 

#BILLIESBLACK‪ #‎ALLSTARKARAOKE‬ ‪#‎NBCBLK‬

P.P.S. GIVEAWAYS will include:
A. MISS JESSIE'S giveaways

B. BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine with MISS JESSIE'S Co-Founder & CEO Miko Branch on the cover

C. BILLIE'S BLACK ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE - presented by ALL STAR KARAOKE (December 2015 - extended through February 2016): Contemporary Artist Shenna Vaughn will have SMALL ITEMS available for sell (SHENNA: "I Create Soulful Funk On Canvas to Create A Mind Blowing Experience").

D. ANOTHER featured sponsor that we introduced during SEASON 4 of ALL STAR KARAOKE: SHOO NAIL POLISH - via its Founder and CEO Shawanda Vickers - is donating 20 gift bags. 

E. TICKET GIVEAWAYS for BROADWAY/OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS – from Walk Tall Girl Productions and Walker International Communications Group, Inc  (limited supply for ALL STAR KARAOKE participants)

F. HARLEM SKIN & LASER CLINIC GIFT CARD

HATEFUL 8

SHOUT OUT TO ARIES DIVO Quentin Tarantino! His The Hateful Eight's DVD street date is March 29th. Can't wait Tagan Lee and Anna Fuson! #THEHATEFUL8

I was too excited to introduce MIKO BRANCH to Elise Durham at last year's NABJ Convention. With that has come some wonderful synergies at‪ #‎MOREHOUSECOLLEGE‬ and now ‪#‎FAMU‬! FOR 2016 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, Florida A&M University has invited my fab client, CEO & CO-FOUNDER of Miss Jessie's Miko Branch, to participate in the second annual ‪#‎SacredSelf‬ – a celebration of remarkable women from the community and beyond:http://youtu.be/R0GuUCl9nss. And what a wonderful event it was.This empowering day WAS full of professional and personal development opportunities at Florida A&M University Department of Music's Foster Tanner Art Building:www.FAMU.EDU/WomensHistoryMonth. Special shout out to FAMU’s own Elise Durham (for the invite)! None of this would have been possible without her. And Dean Ann Wead Kimbrough, my personal/NABJ/FAMU fam for the LOVE she showed MIKO while she was there! Miko had a WONDERFUL TIME!

I am doing some Brand Ambassador work for Miss Jessie's and ‪#‎MikoBranch‬. She was in Houston this past weekend headlining the ‪#‎Metamorphosis‬Empowerment Conference. Shout out to my NABJ and SAVANNAH fam who showed Miko such LOVE while she was there! Special shout out to Savannah homegirl Barbara Jackson Hudson Esq who hosted Miko at an awesome operation she co-owns Urban Houston Network. Miko did “The Antoinette Roberson Show”. FOX 26’s Melinda Spaulding also did an interview with Miko at the station. The WASH ALLEN SHOW also had Miko on. And THANKS to so many of you who were in the cut with support – including NABJ sister friends Lyndsay Christian and Cindy George; Savannah/Spelman big sister Venice Hunter Richardson, Houston Chronicle Beauty Editor Joy Sewing; etc. MIKO is MAKING MORE THAN CURLS: WAVES! As a Morehouse man myself, I am too thrilled to announce that my alma mater, a Historically Black College, has invited Miss Jessie's CEO & Co-Founder Miko Branch to participate in its Morehouse Innovation Expo for 2016: http://www.morehouseinnovates.com/This news comes in the wake of Miss Jessie's donating product to Morehouse and Spelman for Homecoming 2015. Appearances the like are fueling much of Miko's next chapter for her life and the brand of Miss Jessie's. Miko is still promoting her 2015 Best Seller "Miss Jessie's - Creating a Successful Business from Scratch...NATURALLY". MIAMI is on her map for later in the season as well! MISS JESSIE’s is also the official sponsor of Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley. Stay tuned for spring/summer dates…. XOXOXOXO ‪#‎miss_jessies‬‪#‎missjessies‬ ‪#‎titibranch‬ ‪#‎billiesblack‬

#allstarkaraoke‪#‎missjessiesFAMU  ‪#‎missjessiesMOREHOUSE

‬‪#‎missjessiesSACREDSELF‬ ‪#‎TellItOnTuesday ‬‪#‎FAMUSacredSelf‬

 ... and TALK ABOUT A BURIED LEAD:

THIS JUST IN: Her Black Enterprise COVER STORY! She will join a panel of other black-owned hair and beauty business owners to discuss“Making Big Bucks in Specialized Markets,” at the

http://www.blackenterprise.com/events/entrepreneurs-summit/. 

"You don’t need money to transform an industry. You don’t even need privileges or degrees. Titi and I didn’t have MBAs and we didn’t get bank loans or find angel investors. We had a seed of an idea and a solid foundation of family and influences to learn from and observe. If we could do it, you can do it too.” - Miko Branch

I am honored and humbled to cover the March issue of Black Enterprise Magazine. My sister Titi Branch and I always admired the Black Enterprise family business that shined a light on other African-American businesses. I am truly honored and I say thank you to Earl Graves and the entire Black Enterprise group. 

To our customers, I say thank you as well. The loyalty and support you have given us has been tremendous and without you, we could not have realized so many of our dreams. 

I could not have achieved the level of success that I have without Titi’s love, tutelage and support. Titi, our business will be my tribute to your memory, and I will live to make you proud. 

I am Titi Branch and together we are Miss Jessie’s. 


Love,
Miko & Miss Jessie's
Hands Down, the Proven Expert in Curls. Period! 

AND ONE MORE THING: Our beloved @MikoBranch on Career and Family. Watch the full clip here: https://t.co/4KkzBPoylR https://t.co/hig2oIVtqB

DOT

SHOUT OUT to my friend Colman Domingo on his "'DOT' called "UPROARIOUSLY FUNNY! DEEPLY MOVING!", by the NY TIMES! Anthony Harper and I surely enjoyed and DailyCommune's Derrick Hemphill did a slamming review:http://dailycommune.com/domingo/ - Spread the Word! The show has received wonderful reviews and has been extended until March 24th. You can purchase tickets for only $59 by using Special Offer code - DOTWC. SEE DOT! USE SPECIAL OFFER CODE - DOTWC for $59 Tickets. Call 212-353-0303 or visit www.VineyardTheatre.org and put in the code. Ant and I love it! Colman Domingo,CHERINE ANDERSON, Richard E Pelzer II! THANKS FOR HAVING US OUT!

 morehouse college glee club this SUNDAY in NYC

LOVE ME SOME Forest Whitaker! Got to interview him for recurring client NBCBLK in the summer of last year as he was promoting SOUTHPAW: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/forest-whitaker-knockout-southpaw-n399381! Now, he makes his Broadway debut in HUGHIE. Ant and I saw it in previews and highly recommend you see this Hollywood Star Power on the Great White Way. PLUS, it’s a one-act play with no intermission. Tell them LIFE OF RILEY sent you. Use special offer code - HUDWK203 to purchase. Click below and enter the code. http://hughiebroadway.com/ ‪#‎HughieonBroadway ‪#‎HughieBroadway ‪#‎WICG