A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

FRANK ISHMAN

Remember I shared how my friend Myrdith Leon-McCormack booked me to get my “Mahogany” on recently. It was in front of the lens of my Morehouse brother, world-renowned photographer Frank Ishman (www.frankishman.com).  Here are some of the behind-the-scenes shots…and here’s the story from “…the life of Riley…” http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/1/10/staying-together.html. These pics and more will be seen sometime soon…in a gallery space/book/event near you! STAY TUNED! THANKS FRANK & MYRDITH!

NYU URBAN JOURNALISM WORKSHOP

From “Mahogany” to “Professor Ogilvie” (from “The Parkers”) – EVERYTHING IS A POP CULTURE REFERENCE! LOL!: I recently spoke to the students of the NYU Urban Journalism Workshop - @NYU_UrbanJourno  - on “The Art of the Interview”. I testified my own story of having interviewed a whole range of subjects over the years – as on-camera interviewer and behind-the-scenes interviewer (reporter/field producer). I coached the diverse roster of students via taped mock interviews; and I showed them examples of my own body of work. I ALWAYS LOVE it when I’m invited to impart some of my experiences to the youth…and I am even more EXCITED when the invitation comes from folks I admire – like my big sister friend Katti Gray who is the new director of NYU Urban Journalism Workshop: https://www.facebook.com/pages/NYU-Urban-Journalism-Workshop/103601966399839. The site notes that Katti is a prize-winning veteran journalist who, in her words, has "covered hard news and soft: Presidential hopefuls; statehouse lawmakers; hometown heroes; time-honored and pop celebrities; floundering schools in Appalachia; New Feminism’s younger adherents; juveniles on death row; the fight for running water on an outlying Mississippi road."

YOUNG SAVANNAH VOICES

Shout out to on-line health journalism camp “Young Savannah Voices” – directed by my fellow journalist and friend Tina A. Brown who I just ran into a couple of weeks ago at client, The Links, Incorporated’s National Assembly in Orlando.In addition to being a member of The Links, Tina is an author/lecturer. “Crooked Road Straight: The Awakening of AIDS Activist Linda Jordan” is her first book: http://www.crookedroadstraight.com. Meanwhile, I’ve been invited to be a one-time Professional Skype Coach. I will present a workshop about “The Art of a Story”.

As a Windsor Forest High School alum, I get excited when I speak to folks from home! I LOVE YOU, SAVANNAH! THANKS TINA!

"HOW DID (I) GET INTO TELEVISION?"

Shout out to my friend, TV/Social Media Producer Debbie Mitchell! FOLLOW HER here: @TVProducerDeb. She's an Emmy-nominated producer who worked at CBS News in most recent years, but was a Senior-Level Producer (and on-cam talent) for Geraldo Rivera's day-time talk show in the '90s when I was a producer for GERALDO's night-time topical show on CNBC. Through synergies between shows, we grew to be fast friends. Currently, DEBBIE is re-inventing in the sphere of social media. In fact, she's launched a summer blog series "How Did You Get Into Television?" - a question she targets to - her words - "only seasoned TV folks". She wants us to share our stories... and last week was my week: http://ready4air.blogspot.com/2012/07/tell-mehow-did-you-get-into-television_11.html?spref=tw. Thanks Debbie! And CONGRATS, BOO!

“IT’S ON”

Shout out to my ATL BFF Lamoh!

(You remember him from my 2009 in Atlanta where I worked on the team that produced reality shows for Monica as well as ‘Frankie & Neffe’: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/10/5/you-keep-praying-saying-there-must-be-a-better-way.html)!

It was also the summer of the 2nd-season taping of "Real Housewives of Atlanta".

So, it was nothing for us to bump into the ladies on one of the many Peachtrees in Atlanta.

Also: Mr. Dwight - a friend of my friend Carl Nelson for many years - was also a gracious host during my summer in Atlanta and L.A.

He recently invited me to see my friend Sheryl Lee Ralph with whom I just enjoyed some quality time in New Orleans at the National Association of Black Journalists’ Convention (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/6/29/impossible-inevitable.html).

Miss Ralph made her New York Musical Theatre Festival debut in a new musical “IT'S ON!” which celebrates your favorite TV show theme songs. This stage reading PREMIERED recently at The Alice Griffin Jewel Box Theatre at the Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd Street): www.nymf.org/itson ... and it was a HOOT! It features Miss Ralph’s vocal turn on several TV theme song favorites of mine – including “227”; “Love Boat”; “COPS”; “WKRP in Cincinnati”; “Gilligan’s Island”; “Gimme A Break”; “One Day at a Time”; “Maude”; “Wonder Woman”; and more!

Afterwards, Sheryl came out to greet us fellows who love her so – including Ed Roebuck; Lemuel Adam; and several others. FUN NIGHT!

There’s always a night in Harlem. On one recent night – while en route to Harlem’s new Cove Lounge (on invitation from Alyah Horsford and HUFF Events & PR [My Harlem buddy Michelle Huff]) for an intimate event of custom cocktails; great food; and a live taping for The Food Network, I stumbled into my Amazing Grace Nichole Andrews Shellman. She was holding court with her sister Tori Andrews Cole (in town on business from DC); New Ro girlfriend Michelle Sanchez Boyce; Eunice Liriano; and others at Harlem Corner Social.

SUNDAE SERMON 2012 & MORE

Was great to see friends at Sundae Sermon – hosted by Bevy Smith this time. Always great to see friends and fam – including this time: my Spelman sister Adrianne C. Smith; Morehouse brother in song Gregory Caldwell; Marcia Pendelton; Michael K. Watts; Erica Watson; and a host of others. This weekend also allowed quality time with our friend Trevor. And we joined my nephew Noot (Herman L. Riley III) and his mom Fe (Felecia Roberts) for brunch at Lanskys on Columbus between 70th and 71st Streets. Afterwards, Ant & I transitioned via subway to the Williamsburgh section of Brooklyn on invitation from our BFF couple Jason Johnson and Marqice Pressey's beautiful home - including their lovely courtyard. It served as the backdrop for a fellowship of friends - including Trevor; Theo; Alexis; Matthew; and Craig.

AGAINST ALL ODDS

Am excited to have field produced a Black History story back in February. I interviewed Christine Carter for recurring client The Wendy Williams Show. Scroll down to February 1st to see it: http://www.wendyshow.com/MyBlackIsBeautiful/ Now Black Enterprise  has done a story - fleshing out Christine's POWERFUL testimonial where the short TV segment didn't allow: http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/giving-back-against-all-odds/! CONGRATS Christine, Dreena Whitfield, WhitPR, and TEAM WENDY!

DARK KNIGHT RISES

Like Spiderman a couple of weeks ago, “Batman: Dark Knight Rises” (http://www.thedarkknightrises.warnerbros.com/) isn’t exactly my preferred genre of film. But it’s coming out tomorrow and I’ll be screening a 9:20am installment of it with friends and colleagues. GO FIGURE! LOL!