A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Oscar and Rémy Martin

Was in L.A. this weekend with recurring client Rémy Martin. I partnered the fine liquor company with my friend Gil Robertson's African American Black Film Critics Association for its Oscar Viewing Party - including other partners and friends. All fundraising benefits the Robey Theatre Company (http://www.robeytheatrecompany.com/). What a great night - including in attendance: Oscar nominee Viola Davis; the iconic Danny Glover; Tony-award-winning Obba Babatunde; A Different World's Glynn Turman; Judyann Elder (Gina's mom on "Martin"); Harold Sylvester (Dwayne Wayne's dad on "Different World"); Sheryl Lee Ralph's son Etienne; and a host of other actors and actresses of note. And several of my friends joined me: Itika; Will; Scott; Adolpha; Ern; and many more. Meanwhile, with childhood BFF Ern along for company, we also got to enjoy those cookies at The Doubletree Hotel; we got to hang out with my once-Chi-town BFF Itika Oldwine - and two of my favorite Directors of Photography friends Will Miller and Paul Hamilton - for catch-up; we enjoyed brunch at Pete's Cafe; (I've told you often about my friend Scott who works with Sheryl Lee Ralph) we got to attend his 40th birthday bash in Venice Beach (and to see great friends - including Scott's Tony; L.A buddies - including Henry; Spry; and the legendary publicist Ken Reynolds; make-up artist extraordinaire Valente Frazier [He's Tyra's main man and often 'beats' the faces of Nicole Ari Parker and Sidra Smith]; and a host of others); we got to go to the Grammy Museum for the 'Whitney Houston' exhibit (quite moving and I got to sing along with Whitney in the studio with Narada Michael Walden - a virtual recording game included in the beautiful and heartbreaking walk down memory land); we got to experience L.A. Live where the BET Experience at L.A. Live will take place June 28, June 29, and June 30 - starring Beyonce; and so much more (www.betexperience.com)! L.A. --- in the right dosage! Happy to back home in NYC! TO SEE MORE PIX FROM MY L.A. WEEKEND, please click here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151325515808737.465685.662073736&type=3&l=a22ba9042a

Where Did Our Love Go?

Speaking of my friend, Gil Robertson, He asked me to share his latest work “Where Did Our Love Go: Love & Relationships in the African American Community” with all of you! The tome features essays by an impressive array of prominent thought-leaders from the creative, religious, business and mental health communities. Each shares powerful insights on love & relationships in the African American community. This is Gil’s third anthology that examines crucial issues affecting the quality of African American life. The book is in stores now and Gil will be on the road to promote it throughout March and April. Go to www.wheredidrlovego.com for more information. CONGRATS, GIL! Great to see you in L.A.

MY FIRST LOVES

I’m on the Host Committee in support of two friends, filmmakers Dominga Martin and Monty Ross who are making the film MY FIRST LOVES – the campaign of which to raise funds is going on NOW! All donations are tax-deductible because of fiscal sponsor New York Women in Film & Television. Here’s the link to the campaign: www.indiegogo.com/myfirstloves "My First Loves" is a romantic comedy about a young woman who gets cold feet before her wedding day.  Written by Director, Dominga Martin and being produced by Monty Ross; the Producer behind Spike Lee's first 7 films. Our current goal is to raise awareness for the film, to raise funds and ultimately exceed the fundraising marker. @domingamartin @my1stlovesmovie @MRMontyRoss #myfirstlovesmovie Be sure to stop by the page often to share, or participate with all of the great things that we have coming up. https://www.facebook.com/MyFirstLovesMovie