WELCOME to "The Life of Riley" which will include periodic chronicles of pop culture and possibilities that flow out of Patrick L. Riley's day. That's me!!! Through blogging (and soon some other technological features on which I'll keep you posted as they launch), I will pull experiences from my busy life to entertain and inspire all of you. Through this site, I will share my observations and insights. Some features to look forward to:
1.) "PATRICK'S POP UP(DATES)" will feature stories from pop culture, music, theater, fashion, and the entertainment industry at large.
2.) "The Life of Riley" will also introduce a "take-a-look-at-your-life" section (READ: sort of an advice column), where I will help readers come up with their own questions and answers around what "ways of being" are working (or not working) to have them acheive their respective goals and live their best lives. This section is called "WHO YOU BE?".
3.) Additonally, there will be a free-flowing, organic section called "TESTIFY" from which I will pull from my own life's journey to share and hopefully inspire. Some of the fare may be new musings and experiences. Other times, I may pull from my journals and past sharings to shed light on some uncomfortable truths that I've experienced and that may perhaps play a role in healing someone else's wounds as the real-life experience did for me. From my experience of covering 9/11 as a freelance journalist to courageously coming out (as gay) to my family, "TESTIFY" promises to move those who choose to read it.
4.) And a section titled "PR" (like my initials, but also like "public relations") will include press clips from any coverage I get.
Update on All Star Karaoke BRUNCH at MIST Harlem on Sun 10/30 from NOON to 5p
• a pair of tickets for THE COLOR PURPLE on Broadway;
• a pair of tickets for SWEET, The National Black Theatre; etc.
4. #ALLSTARKARAOKE Artist-in-Residence Contemporary Artist Shenna Vaughn will have items for exhibit and sale. Plus, she’ll have an announcement on how you can own your own #ShennaVaughn
6. MEANWHILE, let us see you at our SEASON of FOUR #ALLSTARKARAOKE brunches at #MISTHARLEM – starting Sunday, October 30, 2016 from NOON to 5p (Costumes welcome).
10.
EVENTBRITE LINK here:
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in All Star Karaoke, Halloween Eve, Jennifer Holliday, Miss Jessie's, Mist Harlem, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Patrick Riley, The Color Purple, brunch
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All Star Karaoke BRUNCH at MIST Harlem I Pre Halloween I Oct 30 at NOON
EVENTBRITE LINK here: www.all_star_karaoke_brunch.eventbrite.com/
Hi ALL STAR KARAOKE FAM!
You've been asking "When is ALL STAR KARAOKE coming back?"
Well, we will be returning to MIST Harlem for a handful of ALL STAR KARAOKE brunches over the next five months
- starting SUNDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2016 from NOON to 5p.
$50 EXPERIENCE includes: 
delicious brunch, 
many mimosas, 
amazing karaoke,
MISS JESSIE's give-aways,
and MORE SURPRISES!
Since it's HALLOWEEN EVE, please feel free to wear a COSTUME (but not mandatory)! 
We'll get in as many songs as we can while enjoying our ALL STAR KARAOKE company one more time!
Here are video recaps of our last two MIST Harlem ALL STAR KARAOKE brunches.
ALWAYS A BLAST:
* NOVEMBER 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bq1uovrAx0o.
* VALENTINE'S DAY BRUNCH 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1p9VidQr3uU
RESERVATIONS are highly recommended.
Please call 212.828.6478.
For more information, please click here: www.mistharlem.com/events.
And let us know here if you will be GOING: https://www.facebook.com/events/1753070518275894/!
As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Patrick L. Riley
Host, ALL STAR KARAOKE
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in All Star Karaoke, Halloween, Miko Branch, Miss Jessie's, Mist Harlem, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, brunch, giveaways, mimosas
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BILL NUNN RIP did the right thing
REST IN PEACE BILL NUNN! As I sit here at home --- on social media, enthusiastically sharing the news about my Morehouse man nephew Herman Lee Riley III and his fellow HBCU alum cast-mates’ on new AspireTV reality web series "The Graduates NYC" (Oct. 8) AND while I’m just a few hours from attending a screening --- with NYC friends and fam --- to see my film debut in the Shaquille-O’Neal-Executive-Produced film STEPS by Eddie Harris, an Official Urbanworld Film Festival Selection, I'm stopped in my tracks with the news that my actual Morehouse College big brother Bill Nunn has passed away! Other Morehouse (big) brother Spike Lee posted it on FACEBOOK. SO I MUST TAKE PAUSE...AND PROCESS THIS LOSS and HIS LEGACY! My condolences to Donna Watts-Nunn and Bill's entire family! This is indeed a MAJOR FULL CIRCLE MOMENT! Bill Nunn is a Morehouse Man, class of 76. His impressive career includes brilliant stage work – often in collaboration with Clark Atlanta University’s own Kenny Leon…and his iconic film work includes his Morehouse buddy Spike Lee’s joints School Daze, Do The Right Thing, and Mo Better Blues. And Bill was a mentor of mine in my early days. On the first week I started Morehouse as part of “1988 freshman orientation”, I had dinner with him at his home where he lived with wife Donna and their kids. I was invited to this mentor dinner along with a handful of other new Morehouse brothers who had interests in TV/Film. Over the years since I graduated and started my career in TV, he'd stayed in touch with me and I kept him updated. I could always bounce anything off of him. And he would let me know – sometimes after the fact – that I played certain career moves well, like when I left Atlanta for New York City. He’d always say that I should do more on-camera and do more acting. Well, fast forward to 2005 when my nephew was in high school in Savannah, GA – deciding on which college he’d attend. Herman asked me to fly down from NYC to Atlanta to accompany him on his college tours (Emory, Georgia State, and Morehouse). It was quite overwhelming for him... on one hand. But he liked the campuses (all of which have differing qualities from each other). Herman said he could "see himself on Morehouse's campus". I stayed in the background on his search as I wanted him to make "his own choice" without my input, but it was nice to hear his take on Morehouse and to see his reaction. The Morehouse campus tour was great... and was met with a nice on-campus surprise. While we were touring, we stumbled into my first mentor when I started Morehouse: Bill Nunn. He yelled my name “PATRICK RILEY! PATRICK RILEY!” This, as he was shooting footage of his freshman dorm Graves Hall for a documentary he was shooting on his life. We rushed up to each other and gave each other a big embrace. We caught up. He even asked me to answer a few questions on-camera since he was there with the crew. I agreed. I then asked him to meet my nephew. He agreed. Bill noted to Noot (my nickname for Herman) that "Your uncle is the best person to tell you about Morehouse, but know that if you come here, you will be with people who care about you and will continue to care about you...". As Bill pointed that out, I got a chance to THANK HIM (on camera as his crew was still shooting us during this moment) for being that mentor who had the kind of caring and sustaining legs he described. Though we didn't talk everyday…and I would only see him a couple of times after that moment. He’d always tell me that he, Kenny Leon, Monty Ross (all contemporaries and close friends of Spike and Samuel L. Jackson) are always peeping my successes and talking about me. So, this reflection reminds me that I did say THANK YOU to him! And it’s on FILM somewhere! But more than that, BILL NUNN’s legacy lives on… through the young Florida A&M University students I’m mentoring as a 2016 William Hearst Visiting Professional at FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications (The Dean Ann Wead Kimbrough is a dear college friend of his as well…and she advised me via CAU)….through my nephew and his #THEGRADUATESNYC cast…. through me: independent producer, personality, writer…and – inside this STEPS project – actor....and through that handful of Men of Morehouse who got to benefit from Bill Nunn's kindness and generosity our Freshman Week as we will celebrate 25 YEARS of being Morehouse Men next May 2017! AND SO MANY MORE! I owe a great debt to BILL NUNN! We ALL owe a great debt to BILL NUNN! REST IN PARADISE, RADIO RAHEEM! #DOTHERIGHTTHING#DIDTHERIGHTTHING #SISTERACT 
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in ATLANTA, Bill Nunn, Do The Right Thing, MOREHOUSE, Pittsburgh, SPIKE LEE, School Daze, Sister Act
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immersive loving and living
FAMU 2016 William Hearst Visiting Professional 
I have to SHOUT OUT WENDY WILLIAMS for taking time out of her busy schedule (in preps for NEW SEASON: now back as of this week) to say HI and offer words of WISDOM to two of my FAMU mentees:
Alexis Lockhart and Steven Byrd-Pitts – both Senior, Public Relations Majors at FAMU’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications. 
They are in town for NYC Fashion Week…and I am hosting them (and curating opportunities) for these #HBCUScholars while they are in town. It’s been quite a whirlwind of fashion shows...and go-and-come-sees! LOL!
Plus, LIFE OF RILEY plucked from our rolodex to create special moments and meetings for the kids –
including WENDY and several others who Alexis and Steven got to see and/or contact during (and even after) their time here - shaping their own rolodexes to help carve out their respective career starts. The list is endless of folks who referred; responded; relayed...but I'm going to try to THANK a few who went above and beyond: supermodel Veronica Webb;
Miss Jessie's Co-Founder, CEO, and Creative Director Miko Branch; 
Emmy-award-winning correspondent at GMA, Mara Schiavocampo;
Tony-award-winning producer Randolph Sturrup (FAMU grad and Executive Producer of ASPiRE TV's new docu-series about 6 HBCU alums living in NYC - including my nephew Herman Riley III, rep'ing for our alma mater Morehouse);
Fashion/Theater/Event Producer Carl Nelson ("Drums Along The Hudson");
international model and Beyonce leading man from the video “Irreplaceable”, Bobby Roache;
Creative Director Mykel Cortez Smith; Fashion producer/talent representative Ron Smith;
celebrity stylist June Ambrose (who was at the TOP of Alexis and Steven's WISH-LIST);
designer Edwing D’Angelo (and his publicist Michelle Pascal); 
Wendy's amazing stylist Memsor (who also let the kids follow him to a Fashion Week Presentation); entertainment publicists Theo Perry, Morehouse brother Trevor Julien (who arranged for Basketball Wives Laura Govan to share her style tips with the FAMU scholars),
and Tagan Lee & Associates' Tagan Lee; digital diva Marcia Cole; 
NBCBLK’s Amber Payne; entertainment journalist Alicia Quarles; New York Times’ Nikita Stewart Henderson; and many more! 
Though I’m a proud Morehouse Man, I consider it a total honor that Dean of Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism and Graphic Communications, Dr. Ann Wead Kimbrough, has added me to its impressive roster of 2016 William Hearst Visiting Professionals. 
I am third in a series of outstanding media professionals who bring value to the rich teaching within FAMU’s SJGC.
This is an encore partnership with FAMU's SJGC.
I was invited to Keynote its NABJ Multimedia Short Course a couple of years ago. 
Thanks young folks...and Dean Kimbrough!
Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Disney
So excited that I was invited to join the Boys and Girls Clubs of America family as an emcee for a spectacular, Disney-presented occasion -- on a recommendation from on high:
dear sister friend, publicist/marketing expert, and Founder of www.idreamspeakers.comKelly Welborn who has enrolled me into hosting any project she's produced for 20 years now i.e. The High Museum, HBO's Blacklist, Spelman College Museum, etc. And it's always a great experience!
This event was the Boys and Girls Clubs of America's 2016 National Military Youth of the Year Celebration. It was an awards luncheon in which the best of the best from military kid culture are honored --- including kids from military installations oversees.
Not too unlike me, an Air Force brat born to now-Retired Chief Master Sergeant Herman L. Riley Sr. in Tokyo, Japan on Tachikawa Air Force Base, these young people are thriving against challenges
i.e. deployed parents; constant moving; revolving door of friends; adapting to varying study levels location to relocation, etc.
Through it all, there are the many youth centers and Clubs, providing life-changing programs and services to these kids who need it the most.
Most of the youth centers are powered by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America --- even including an initiative that aids in the adjustment of kids after their parents retire from the military. CONGRATS to all of our scholars who are poised to do wonderful things in the world --- from Broadcast Journalism to Neuroengineering. The team at BGCA Headquarters rocks!!! 
They truly took care of me while in DC at the historic Army and Navy Club.
I am thrilled to continue being a brand ambassador for the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. I've hosted several programs for BCGA, New Rochelle, in New York. #BCGA#MilitaryYouthoftheYear #YOY
So LIFE OF RILEY knew and teased, but now I can SCREAM IT FROM THE RAFTERS - especially now that the artwork is soon to be released: 
my FAV NEPHEW Herman Lee Riley III is a cast-mate in docu-series THE GRADUATES NYC – a new show that will chronicle the NYC LIVING of HBCU ALUMS in the MILLENNIAL SET! COMING THIS FALL!!!! My nephew hails from our alma mater Morehouse College while each of the other cast members are alums of other #HBCUs. 
The digital show will also air on ASPIRE during the halftime of the live HBCU football games on ASPiRE. Check out ASPIRE.TV for episodes and more information! CONGRATS NOOT! SO PROUD! Here’s a PREVIEW: http://www.aspire.tv/videos/the-graduates-new-series-preview/. Esteemed Broadway producer Randolph Sturrup ("A Streetcar Named Desire", "The Trip to Bountiful" and "Eclipsed") and seasoned TV News exec Keith Michael Brown are producing this project along with Al Roker Productions. So, these kids are in great hands!
Special THANKS to Herman and Randolph for making time for my #HBCUscholars from #FAMU: Alexis Lockhart and Steven Michael Byrd-Pitts.
#LIFEOFRILEY #PETTYCASHNYC #HERMANLRILEYIII #HLRIII #THEGRADUATES #ASPIRE #ASPIRETV Coming this Fall... Stay tuned! #ASPiRE #HBCUpride #MorehouseCollege
THIS IS LOVING
Shout out to Tagan Lee & Associates who always make sure LIFE OF RILEY is IN THE HOUSE for AMAZING OPPORTUNITIES! Was a panelist alongside journalist and friend Alicia Quarles for a Q&A that was moderated by NBCBLK's Amber Payne for an INVITATION ONLY influencer/tastemaker screening of Focus Features film LOVING, which comes out in November!
This much-buzzed about film tells the story of Loving v. Virginia, a Supreme Court decision that makes it legal to marry between races. 
One of my most recent assignments for "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" captured Richard Pryor's daughter Rain Pryor - referencing her parents' marriage (Her mother is a white Jewish woman) and what that was like four years after the ruling:
http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/richard-pryors-daughter-describes-the-racism-her-family-endured.
I'm excited one of my FAMU mentees Steven Byrd Pitts joined me for the special occasion in Tribeca as well as MISS JESSIE's Co-Founder, CEO, and Creative Director Miko Branch.
ABOUT THE FILM LOVING: From acclaimed writer/director Jeff Nichols, Loving celebrates the real-life courage and commitment of an interracial couple, Richard and Mildred Loving (portrayed by Joel Edgerton and Ruth Negga), who married and then spent the next nine years fighting for the right to live as a family in their hometown. 
Their civil rights case, Loving v. Virginia, went all the way to the Supreme Court, which in 1967 reaffirmed the very foundation of the right to marry - and their love story has become an inspiration to couples ever since. Loving will open form Focus Features in theaters in select cities on November 4, and will expand across the country later in November.
Watch the trailer for LOVING
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33g-ZHBQdNU
For more information, please follow us online:
FACEBOOK I TWITTER I INSTAGRAM
#ThisIsLoving
Hashtag: #ThisIsLoving
URL: lovingthefilm.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/lovingthefilm/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lovingthefilm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovingthefilm/
KENDRA FOSTER
So excited that Creative Director and friend Mykel C. Smith invited my FAMU mentee Steven Michael Byrd-Pitts out to celebrate close out of Fashion Week…and the celebration of the September 2016 Style Issue #21 of W42ST. 
FAMU’s own Kendra Foster – Grammy-award-winning singer songwriter – performed brilliantly! Ant has adored her music all Summer 2016! And so nice to connect two RATTLERS! Steven and Kendra had a LOVE FEST over their college in common! Cloak & Dagger brought the music…and it was great to wrap a wonderful week! Ant, Steven, and I capped night off with some KARAOKE at RADIO STAR before calling it a night! I’ll be next working with these students on managing their follow ups – so they can stay engaged with the many mentors they met and so they can begin to shape up steps towards starting their post-graduate careers. THANKS TO ALL who were so kind to the young #HBCUscholars from #FAMU #SJGC.
STEPS at URBAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL
The Shaquille-O’neal/Michael Baumgartner Executive-Produced Steps screened at Newark International Film Festival to an enthusiastic audience!
Thanks everyone for all your love and support of STEPS...
and my character "Rudy", my film debut.
Next up: UrbanWorld Film Festival.COME WITNESS the MAGIC!
Get tickets: http://www.urbanworld.org/2016/steps (Scroll to bottom of page)
Like our Page on facebook StepsUrbanworld Film Festival
Use our Hashtags
#stepsthemovie.info
#UWFF (twitter/IG/FB)
#UW20. http://newarkiff.com/. $10.00. #stepsthemovie.info www.stepsthemovie.info
XSCAPE PUERTO RICO 2017
...as I update LIFE OF RILEY, I'm watching Monifah Carter and the R&B Divas: Atlanta on TV One’s SUNDAY Marathon, I’m reminded to remind you to join Monifah Carter, more, and me for my new Memorial Day Weekend tradition: Xscape Puerto Rico 2017 - LGBT Arts & Culture Music Festival!
When: May 26 - 29, 2017
Host Resort: Grand Wyndham Resort & Spa (All Inclusive)
Celebrity Ambassadors, Live Performances, Workshops, Vanguard Awards, Pool Party & Fashion Show, Excursions and so much more!!
www.xscapepr.com
Instagram: xscapepuertorico
Twitter: xscapepuertorico
#grandmoments
P.S. Monifah and I are gonna have to find a microphone:
ALL STAR KARAOKE SIZZLE W/MONIFAH:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152123074463737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater
MONIFAH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_2xHo2iRNQ
KEKE WYATT: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152177726443737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater
KEKE WYATT & HOST: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152166354908737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater
ALL STAR KARAOKE SIZZLE W/MONIFAH “Something to Talk About”:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152123074463737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater
MONIFAH “One Moment”: https://youtu.be/v4iPJUhdnZ4
MONIFAH “Getting in the Way”:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_2xHo2iRNQ
MONIFAH & PATRICK “Best of My Love”:https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153006964663737/?l=5788490014611877465
MONIFAH “Our Love” – PART 1:
https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10152271090203737/?l=8970677645081981736
MONIFAH “OUR LOVE” – PART 2:
https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10152271093043737/?l=363297232392292194
HUSAIN
Motown May's Grand Finale WINNER at "Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley" is one of my nearest and dearest brother friends. Since his win got him on the Motown the Musical on Broadway stage, I have to see him everywhere he performs.
So, Fashion Week weekend, we made time to see him at Silvana in Harlem.
HUSAIN ROCKS - including his first single "Summer Rain".
AN EARLY THANKSGIVING
An early Thanksgiving welcoming Ant back to NYC was most welcomed by him as it has been a difficult summer, shaken life-changingly with the loss of his amazing dad.
We are so grateful to our New York City fam who stem from our roots in Savannah and Denver; school daze; NABJ; and LIFE! We shout out Mario, Nikita, Brian, Ern, and Lamoh for this meal, prepared in LOVE and with all of the ingredients to lift Ant's and my spirits up! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! #SoBlessed #Ourcurrentsituation
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in ASPIRE, FAMU, Morehouse College, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, The Graduates
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hbcu graduates aspire step by step
So LIFE OF RILEY knew and teased, but now I can SCREAM IT FROM THE RAFTERS: my FAV NEPHEW Herman Lee Riley III is a REALITY TV cast-mate on THE GRADUATES – a new series that chronicles the NYC LIVING of HBCU ALUMS in the MILLENNIAL SET!
My nephew hails from our alma mater Morehouse College while each of the other cast members are alums of other #HBCUs. The digital show will also air on ASPIRE during the halftime of the live HBCU football games on ASPiRE. Check out ASPIRE.TV for episodes and more information! CONGRATS NOOT! SO PROUD! Here’s a PREVIEW: http://www.aspire.tv/videos/the-graduates-new-series-preview/.
Esteemed Broadway producer Randolph Sturrup (“A Street Car Named Desire”; "The Trip to Bountiful"; and Eclipsed") and seasoned TV News exec Keith Michael Brown are producing this project along with Al Roker Entertainment. So, these kids are in good hands! #LIFEOFRILEY #PETTYCASHNYC #HERMANLRILEYIII #HLRIII #THEGRADUATES #ASPIRE #ASPIRETV 
The Shaquille O’Neal and Michael Baumgartner Executive Produced film (in which I have a little part as Rudy), STEPS, screened for the first time to 1,100 invited guests to the Landmark Loews Theater on November 19, 2015 (my birthday): helped present premiere night last November in Jersey City: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com.rilys-blog/2015/11/28/doctor-sister.html. 
Well, now you can BE INSPIRED with scheduled screenings at UrbanWorld Film Festival which takes place in NYC September 21 through 25. 
And prior to #UWFF2016, the much-buzzed-about project written by Eddie Harris, will screen at Newark International Film Festival on Saturday, September 10, 2016 from 6-7:30 pm on Screen3 at CityPlex 12 on 360 Springfield Avenue in Newark, NJ 07103. TICKETS CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED ONLINEwww.newarkiff.com SOCIAL MEDIA: @newarkiff. $10. #stepsthemovie.info #newarkiff SEE THE TRAILER http://Vimeo.com/142798556.
BIG THANKS to THOSE who SUPPORTED STEPS in ATLANTA for The Peachtree Village International Film Festival. And as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! 
URBAN WORLD FILM FESTIVAL INFO: http://www.urbanworld.org/2016/steps. 
It’s taken a village to make this film happen – including the amazing writer/producer EDDIE HARRIS who penned and ran all of production for STEPS; Producer and Casting Director Penwah who stayed on me to audition and stayed on the filmmakers to cast me; LIFE OF RILEY partner and ALL STAR KARAOKE sponsor, MISS JESSIE’s, who donated MISS JESSIE's bags to the Premiere event in November.
STEPS is Co-Directed by the SPECTACULAR Jay Rodriguez and Rock Davis. Denzel Washington’s wife Pauletta and a host of others comprise this most wonderful cast! For more information on the cast and the amazing crew, click here: http://www.stepsthemovie.info/. In STEPS, my RUDY has big heart...and will go down as my feature film debut.
My partner Anthony Harper - Events Manager at MIST Harlem - recently hosted a tastemaker screening of STEPS that many of my NYC industry fam got to attend: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2016/4/18/rest-in-prince.html.#STEPSTHEMOVIE#SHAQUILLEONEAL
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Al Roker, Aspire TV, HBCU, Herman Riley III, MOREHOUSE, Magic Johnson, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Randolph Sturrup, The Graduates
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