A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

AmeriCAN

While out in Los Angeles a few weeks ago - Exec Producing a project that I just wrapped (but that I'll be able to tell you more about when it's up and running in 2015-16), I got to hang out with my buddy Nate Parker one evening during which he shared a rough cut - from his smart phone - of a passion project that is now out! - http://youtu.be/5HtCfm7SKbU - #AmeriCAN is a short film and public service announcement that comes in response to events that have divided the country over racial lines. With the influx of violence against black males in America over the past few years, the piece strives to offer a unique perspective in examining the value of lives of the country’s citizens. The intention of the message, “all lives matter,” is to pull people together from both sides of the disparity and inspire the kind of empathy and mutual understanding necessary to promote meaningful discourse and domestic reconciliation. The goal is to bring all people together, without exception to race, religion, gender or age, and send the message that all blood flows red.

#AllLivesMatter

Nate Parker – Director/Writer.

James Lopez – Producer/Story By.

Kay Madsen – Director of Photography.

Valerie Bleth Sharp – Producer.

Mo McRae – Producer/Actor.

Hernany Perla – Producer.

Featuring La La Anthony, Andre Royo, Affion Crockett, Brian White, Omar Benson Miller and David Franzoni

Song by J.Cole – Be Free

And don't forget to check him out in BEYOND THE LIGHTS! #beyondthelights

Miss Jessie’s ROCKS

Night TWO of our FALL 2014 SERIES of Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley brought out a packed room of FUN!!! Miss Jessie's CEO Miko Branch and her business colleague Reeves surprised me with giveaways for our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULs: http://youtu.be/R0kuxp8bGgY. And as usual, our weekly partner Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry – compliments of Joseph Riley Land, donated an awesome giveaway – a $25.00 gift certificate for its wonderful products. PLUS, a special shout out to Luxe Colore - as in Luxe Colore Hosts Soulful Thursdays at Billies Black Harlem - for its raffle: an awesome watch by Amor Watch by Me'Oclock! The singing came from some amazing ALL STARS - including recurring friend of our special Tuesday night, Mica Hughes - co-star of BRAVO's Blood, Sweat & Heels - who assured us she's uninjured AND inspired inside the upcoming, sophomore season of the show - premiering in January 2015; Darius Booker - straight from Malaysia, singing background for Tevin CampbellHe's also in Syleena Johnson (Official)'s crew); B.b. Thomaz - BB Thomaz on IG, FB - rising star from Germany who sings on par with Mariah and Whitney at their best; dear friend and Wendy Williams' makeup artist Merrell Hollis from MAKEUP by MERRELL (who brought folks - like my Morehouse brother Rory - to sing...and beautifully so! THANKS Merrell Hollis); #motownmay Grand Finale winner Husain Mello Deas Williams who always turns it out; and a host more - including my nephew Herman Lee Riley III; Morehouse College brother Mario Ephriam who is launching his own Harlem affair on Thursdays at NABE on 127th and Frederick Douglass: 6p-11p; and our crooner with the most, Brandon Bain. We're at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul every Tuesday - from 7p-10p! As always, THANKS for your support! WE LOVE Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! THANKS to my team: Bernice Wooden and Derrick Hemphill! XO #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #meoclock #amor #luxecolore #globalchic #bravotv #bloodsweatheels

A FEW FUN CLIPS:

http://bit.ly/loveneverfelt_plr

http://bit.ly/mica_plr

http://bit.ly/missjessies_plr

While I Yet Live

Billy Porter’s “While I Yet Live” was EVERYTHING – starring Tony-award-winning Lilias White, Emmy-award-winning S. Epatha Merkerson, and our “Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke” FAITHFUL Larry Powell…and so many of my favorite Broadway and TV peeps came out to celebrate its closing night – including Miss Alyson Williams: http://primarystages.org/whileiyetlive. #whileiyetlive #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

Doe Fund

Anthony Harper, Carl Nelson, and I were guests of Doe Fund 2014 Gala Board-member Andre Robert Lee at Cipriani 42nd: www.doe.org. That’s where we met Miss Jessie's Co-CEO Miko Branch and a host of fabulous people – primary among them: “the men in blue” whose testimonials were riveting and well-worth the half million dollars raised (in 10 minutes! WOW!). There’s still more to be done. Click here for more information: www.doe.org. Great cause!

NABE

After the benefit, we joined my Morehouse brethren Mario Ephraim for the soft launch of a cocktail hour he hopes to host every Thursday at NABE, Harlem's newest cozy lounge. Cute after set! I’m gonna pop by tonight! #doefund2014gala #doefund #missjessies

MONEY MINUTE

1. Here’s the promo: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing%E2%80%A6-new-advocate-money-minute 

2. This, after being tapped to share my IT GETS BETTER testimonial for the OUT 100: http://www.advocate.com/youth/no-more-bullying/2014/01/24/healing-one-truth-time

3. My first episode is here: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/16/federal-vs-state.

4. And my tease for my next episode comes in at 4:17 on this link:http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/30/federal-vs-state

AND PLEASE COME JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH DECEMBER FOR "BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY"! We are having a BLAST!