A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

“FIRST LOOK” & BEYONCE

I don’t have a link yet to show you, but I made my debut on MSNBC's "FIRST LOOK" which is anchored by my “Amazing Grace” and BFF Mara Schiavocampo who asked me to do a phoner with her on Beyonce’s Inauguration performance. At 5am, I was bright and alert to wax philosophical and conspiratorial on whether Beyonce lip-sync’d or not, and – if so – why? LOL!

In a paraphrased nutshell, our segment went like this:

MARA: WAS IT LIVE OR NOT?

ME: I'm not sure, but where there isn't a statement from Beyonce's camp, there are Instagram photos of her recording the song before the Inaugural performance. And there have been statements from the US Marine Band - noting that a performance track was prepared - at least by the band. Such preparations are par for the course for BIG LIVE EVENTS where conditions may not be singing-friendly - like Inauguration and the Super Bowl.

MARA: HAS THE PRE-RECORDED TRACK BEEN DONE BEFORE?

ME: The same kind of speculation and details presented themselves around the much-praised Whitney Houston who recorded a track (two, actually) prior to performing her memorable Superbowl performance of the national anthem in 1991 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS-R7SM_-M4). TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT PERFORMANCE, Whitney did a concert for the soldiers returning from the Gulf War (HBO)… and she – a capella and subsequently with live band – started off the concert with THE NATIONAL ANTHEM again --- maybe to subside the nay-sayers (and there were during that time). Either way, whether via the pre-recording or the performance (and subsequent performances), she SANG THAT SONG... and BRILLIANTLY SO! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ceaDJnk3c

MARA: BIG DEAL? OR NO BIG DEAL?

ME: I say MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING… and what a perfect SPOTLIGHT for HATERS, right? That said, worth noting that – as BEYONCE prepares for the SUPERBOWL that her “DREAMGIRLS” muse DIANA ROSS sang LIVE for her SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW in 1996… in addition to being picked up on the field by a helicopter. FOR BEYONCE TO QUIET HER NAY-SAYERS, it may perhaps be necessary for her to have an UNDENIABLY LIVE moment in her set list for SUPERBOWL. I’M JUST SAYING! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6GyLjyVAIY).

OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO SAY BUT TWO MINUTES DIDN'T ALLOW:

1. Can we firstly just say that Beyonce showed many of her peers how a DIVA does it yesterday: from the emerald earrings to the “oddly fierce” gesture at the end…as if to say I WAS HERE! (BY THE WAY: For a fabulous knock-off earring the like of Beyonce's 'emeralds', check out STELLA AND DOT (www.stelladot.com/). They have the perfect pair! Green is the new color for the season! Check out JADE drop earrings at www.stelladot.com/stoppopandrock).

2. Beyonce’s been here before. The year of Janet-Jackson nipple-gate, she performed the National Anthem – likely to similar effect. But all of that was dwarfed by Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugueMYzKWB4)

3. But in 2006, she and DC3 did a LIVE, a capella version at the NBA ALL-STAR GAME (not perfect but brilliant). So, she too – UNDENIABLY – has SUNG IT LIVE! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQRVTDrmHhM)

4. To my naked ear, I really think it was a MIX of her LIVE voice blended with a PRE-RECORDED PERFORMANCE TRACK.

5. STILL, some singers still take the risk. Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor’s folks say they sang LIVE!

TWITTER: @FirstLookMSNBC #Beyonce lip-syncing controversy

BEYONCE ROCKS! BEYONCE RULES! GO BEYONCE! And so does Mara who has been instrumental in helping me keep my POP CULTURE ANALYSIS on…and popping! XO

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

Right after the segment above, I had to high-tail it to Laguardia Airport to get to Nashville for a shoot. I’ve been traveling a lot of late. The rental car company gave me a BIG RED TRUCK a la “Sanford & Son”. I’VE NEVER DRIVEN A BIG TRUCK LIKE THAT! First for everything! Went and did an interview and shot with my subject per the assignment from my Chicago client… and I hopped on a plane back home! I’ve been to Nashville many times but didn’t get any fun time in – except for a drive-thru fav fast food spot Krystal – a JONES of mine that’s become quite known: My Charlotte-based, childhood friend Bernadette Young sent me this as she was paging through a recent issue of UPTOWN Magazine (Charlotte edition). Angela Bronner Helm got my Savannah peeps peeping me!! Recent assignments have put me in front of some FAB company: Drew Barrymore who I got to interview on one day and the author Ayana Mathis whose book “The 12 Tribes of Hattie” is BELOVED by many! Work – overall – has been great as I’ve also just wrapped producing a tribute video for the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE). BET’s own Chairman and CEO Debra Lee is being honored with the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award in Miami next week! Total honor to work on the video and CONGRATS, DEBRA LEE! She is responsible for BET's impressive success of late - including "The Game". Also on tap: new, original program "Real Husbands of Hollywood" which has started off as quite the NEW HIT!

STEVE HARVEY

As I told you when referencing “Hearts of Gold” Charity benefit (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/11/19/golden-hearts.html), Rémy Martin® is a recurring client. I was excited to connect Rémy with the National Association of Black Journalists whose new Hall of Fame inductees received special premiums for their many jobs well done. As we are exploring other synergies, an opportunity came to me to see if Rémy would want to partner with “The Steve Harvey Show” to host a birthday toast for its host on the set of his show. AND VOILA! It all happened with the help of the awesome Rémy team. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVE HARVEY! I've had the chance to host a half dozen "Disney Dreamers Academy" events at the National Associaton of Black Journalists' Convention (for which I am Immediate Past Chair of its Arts & Entertainment Task Force)… and I even got to share the stage with Mr. Harvey in Las Vegas: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/8/13/audacity-of-hope-and-dreams-in-vegas.html. This past year, I was a guest of Disney at the "Disney Dreamers Academy" (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/3/15/dreams-and-desire.html). With this additional synergy (and Steve Harvey being so impressed with the setup and class of Rémy Cointreau), we’re told he wants to explore other synergies! AWESOME, STEVE!

RHONDA BARAKA

Remember I told you how GMC presented “Trinity Goodheart” at NABJ Philly a couple of years ago!? Well, it was written by my friend Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, a Marietta, Georgia-based screenwriter with NABJ roots! Rhonda really got her start as a college student at Talladega College AND with NABJ. As a college junior, she was chosen as NABJʼs first William Monroe Trotter intern. During the summer of 1983, she spent 10 weeks working at the National Leader newspaper in Philadelphia where she contributed several stories including a cover story on black mayors. Prior to transitioning into film, Rhonda spent many years as a journalist, starting her own magazine, TAFRIJA and subsequently writing for Billboard Magazine, mtv.com, Creative Loafing and a host of other music and entertainment outlets (That’s when I met her). When Rhonda spoke at NABJ in Philly, her first film, “Pastor Brown,” was slated for a DVD release in 2012.  And now her “Pastor Brown” is slated to air Black History Month on Lifetime (http://www.aenetworks.com/article/lifetime-celebrate-black-history-month-three-world-premiere-movies). The film follows a young woman (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) who returns home to take over as pastor of the family church, after her father’s death. She is forced to face her sordid past and mend fences with her son and sister. It premieres Saturday, February 16 at 8pm/eastern (www.aenetworks.com). GO RHONDA... and several other friends associated with this project: PASTOR BROWN is my friend and Morehouse brother Rockmond Dunbar's directorial debut! Also in the mix: Salli Richardson-Whitfield and my BFFs identical twin Tasha Smith.

ALSO WORTH NOTING that my Morehouse brother Korey Washington ---- one of my FIRST production colleagues from our SCHOOL DAZE ---- is the production designer on "Pastor Brown". Like Rockmond, Korey and I shared great times at The House. Korey is a production designer of note in the industry. His latest credits include: production designer for the TV-One sitcom "Belle's" which is premiering Feb 1st and starring Keith David - also in "Pastor Brown" (http://www.tvoneonline.com/shows/belles.html). Rockmond and Korey first worked together on my friend Malcolm Jamal's film "Dirty Laundry" about which I've chatted a lot on "...The Life of Riley..." (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/2/14/doing-laundry-with-maurice-jamal.html). Korey was the Art Director and Production Designer on that film (and my friend Nathan Hale Williams was a producer on it). Also, Korey was the production designer on "The Shaquille O'neal All Star Comedy Jam" on Showtime. And in the world of theatre, Korey has been tapped as Set Designer for Alabama State University's spring production of The Color Purple, which has performances during March. Theatre is Korey's first love and - along with other uses of the stage - the backdrop of how we first came to collaborate in many of Morehouse and Spelman's productions as well as our world-wide participation in the Morehouse College Glee Club. I LOVE when the already small world we are in gets smaller and all of our connectedness is so vibrantly represented in this industry - holding up quite resilliently, I'd say! CONGRATS to ALL!

LA CHANZE & MISS ROSS

Of course, this blog details how much I love DIANA ROSS! This space also provides a lot of evidence that I LOVE Tony-award-winning performer LACHANZE (for many reasons – including her “The Color Purple” premiere is the night Ant and I met, among many others). Well, that fact that she just sent me a note to let me know that she is preparing for her next concert (and I came up as she and her team were discussing the set-list and theme, which is... WAIT FOR IT… "Love Hangover.. A Celebration of the music of Diana Ross"! WOW, right? LACHANZE is doing THREE nights in April at 54 Below. Stay tuned for ticket information: www.54below.com.  LACHANZE said “knowing she’s your girl, I just had to share this with you. I'm so inspired and pumped up about it, I don't know what to do…” Of course, I’ll be letting her know my thoughts as I’m ever-the-expert-and-admirer when it comes to LA ROSS! LACHANZE went on to say “… I LOVE HER! And while so many other legends have been celebrated, I can't think of one honoring her…” I LOVE IT!

FOOD

Some yummy food has been attracting me of late: Famous Fish Market in Harlem on 145^th and St. Nick….

by way of O’Hare Airport in Chicago, "Mighty Wings" (with fries and a sweet tea) from McDonald’s…

on a catch up with my nephew Herman, “Melba”!

ALWAYS GOOD!...

and in Iowa, some tasty pizza from “The Mill” with my crew ---- NONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED AT THE EXPENSE OF MY 29-INCH WAIST SINCE HIGH SCHOOL! LOL!

GOOD WORK! GOOD FOOD! GOOD FAMILY & FRIENDS! Oh, THE LIFE OF RILEY!

MARVIN SAPP

MARVIN SAPP is in town THIS WEEK! His “Never Would Have Made It” anoints ME every time! It gets me back to CHERISHED MEMORIES; ETERNAL GRATITUDE; and GOD’s LOVE! Plus, it’s just a SLAMMING SONG! Well, the marketing folks with NJPAC have asked me to let all of my GOSPEL MUSIC FANS and FANS OF GOOD MUSIC know that this is an experience you don’t want to miss. This Friday 1/18 at NJPAC! You can BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY! http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #NJPAC #MARVINSAPP

...AND TELL THEM “…THE LIFE OF RILEY…” SENT YOU!

2013 off to a busy start! Lots of client calls and booked gigs! A little travel! Taking meetings on new business! And amidst it all, remembering what’s important: MY LOVED ONES; GIVING BACK; SAYING THANK YOU!

In other church bulletin news (LOL!):

YOU MATTER: 7 Practices of Living a Life of Purpose

I’m always singing the praises of MOMENTUM EDUCATION (www.momentumeducation.com) – an awesome series of classes I experienced in 2004 that keeps me GOING FOR THE GOLD in my life and career (and teaches me how to get up POWERFULLY when I may not meet the mark, but just need a little RE-BOOT): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2006/10/25/love-is-in-the-air.html. Since then, I’ve been tapping into that POWER SOURCE and blessed to share the gift with so many of my friends…and to see – in addition to MY WORLD – THE WORLD CHANGE (for the better!). Was really excited to see many of my Momentum family members – old and new – at the first course, THE BASIC’s celebration last night when another friend graduated the life-changing work. Congrats, Jamar! MOMENTUM continues to inspire me to BE THE DIFFERENCE in my personal and professional life! I call it a tool that I use alongside many other supports that keep me aligned with those ways of being that work best to achieve my goals. Another tool I’ll be using comes from two dear Momentum friends Melvin Miller and Federica Baldan. It’s an Ebook and Audio book: “YOU MATTER: 7 Practices of Living a Life of Purpose” and you must order it now: www.audiogo.com/us/youmatter.  Thanks to Melvin and Federica for all they do to CHANGE the WORLD – one person at a time!

“YOU ARE NOT ALONE”

A casual invitation for pasta from my girlfriend Sidra Smith turned into a beautiful night of cinema: an intimate screening of documentary “You Are Not Alone” – a collaboration between friends - triple NAACP Image Award winner Stanley Bennett Clay and Guyanese-born double NYABJ Award winner, journalist and national gay mental health activist Antoine B.Craigwell – both in attendance. The film pushes the envelope, shines a light in a dark, unspoken area in the Black community, to bring healing. Through the courageous sharing of personal stories, “You Are Not Alone” explores many of the underlying social factors which contribute to high rates of depression among Black gay men. “You Are Not Alone” also opens up discussions on the critical issues affecting many Black men and Black gay men who go through life hiding their depression, which can contribute to unsafe sexual activity because they are unconcerned about the consequences, elevated drug use, and even death by suicide. The documentary is a combination of powerful, heart wrenching and poignant interviews and is balanced with professional opinions provided by mental health professionals, academics and religious leaders (Christian and Islam) as well as some beautifully-woven docu-dramatized iconography. For more information on “You Are Not Alone”, visit www.dbgm.org and to see a trailer of the film www.yana-thefilm.com. BEAUTIFUL WORK!

LEWIS JOHNSON

I told you a few months back about my friend Kelly J. Welborn and how she was doing big things via her  idreamSpeakers, LLC: TWITTER: @idreamspeakers.com. Well, Kelly’s client, seven-time NBC Olympic Commentator and ESPN reporter Lewis Johnson (Twitter: @LewisJohnsonMG) is coming to the Boys & Girls Club in NY and NJ on Wednesday, January 23, and Thursday, January 24 to distribute 400 coats, hats, scarves, gloves, clothing and winter wear collected over the holiday during his WORLD-CLASS COAT DRIVE organized in Dallas, TX. World-Class athletes, Olympians, Super Bowl champs and his generous Dallas/Fort Worth community donated to his charitable effort to help families in need that were impacted by Hurricane Sandy. Lewis was in New York days after Hurricane Sandy devasted the northeast and was compelled to help families in hard-hit areas stay warm for the winter. Lewis will be joined by Olympians to present “A View from the Olympic Broadcast Booth,” his Olympic-themed inspirational speech to over 200 youth at Boys & Girls Clubs of Hudson County in Jersey City and Educational Alliance Boys & Girls Club at P.S. 188 about goal setting, overcoming obstacles and pursuing your dreams. After the presentation, all the young attendees will receive a coat or winter wear donated during his two-week World-Class Coat Drive. There are so many stories of graciousness from his community that have emerged from this charitable effort. To find out more (and what you can do), click here: www.idreamspeakers.com.

MARVIN SAPP

REMINDER: MARVIN SAPP is in town THIS WEEK! His “Never Would Have Made It” anoints ME every time! It gets me back to CHERISHED MEMORIES; ETERNAL GRATITUDE; and GOD’s LOVE! Plus, it’s just a SLAMMING SONG! Well, the marketing folks with NJPAC have asked me to let all of my GOSPEL MUSIC FANS and FANS OF GOOD MUSIC know that this is an experience you don’t want to miss. This Friday 1/18 at NJPAC! You can BUY YOUR TICKETS TODAY! http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #NJPAC #MARVINSAPP

...AND TELL THEM “…THE LIFE OF RILEY…” SENT YOU!

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!