A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

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Ringing in 2015 with Ernest Maynor, Cris Che-Che Miller, Kevin Freeman, Wardell Malloy, CJ, and more at the beautiful New Jersey home of Erika Liles and Kevin Liles proved to be nothing short of a BLAST (with Ern showing up as a SUPER-doppelganger to our hostess with the most Erika! LOL!). GREAT WAY TO COME INTO 2015! ONESIES and UGGS were the order of the day; many GAMES; and awesome spread of "potluck". THANKS to Moochie and our AWESOME HOSTS! PLUS, a special shout out to POCONOS fam, Cristal's mom Sheila and her posse, who fed us something "abundantly" on THE DAY! Happy New Year, EVERYBODY! #2015

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BFF since 7th grade, Ernest Maynor and I did our ANNUAL GA HOLIDAY again! This, while Ant caught up with his peeps in Denver (Hey Denver fam!). Ern and I enjoyed a "Welcome Back to ATL" brunch with our collective BFFs: Carla Jackson; Cristal Miller; Tina Johnson; Ern's and my Savannah homegirl/my Spelman sister Tandi Reddick; our world-traveling vegan diva and sister girlfriend for life Onlyone Camille; and several fun drive-bys, including Chandra's little brother/my mentee Calvin Jones. Great brunch at The Shed at Glenwood! Thx to my nephew Noot - Herman Lee Riley III - for the recommendation! We then hosted NYC BFF and LIFE OF RILEY producer/consultant Derrick Hemphill - in ATL for the holidays - and other friends at our fav couple Patrice and Keron's place. This, before heading to Carla Jackson's house to watch my special interview with Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie - my Ern's and my doppelgangers - on the Season Finale of Oprah: Where Are They Now? on recurring client OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network - http://youtu.be/jUgvR9Bkxr4. AND OF COURSE, I found time for my actual family. LOL! Queen and Mickey's kids - CHILDREN OF CHARLIE & DAISY RILEY - first got together again for Christmas 2014 at my fav cafeteria Piccadilly. My siblings Janice Riley Priester, Herman, and me caught up and got suitably nourished for the rest of the holiday! We got a pre-Savannah moment in Atlanta via childhood friend and Spelman sister Tandi Reddick. Her eve-of-eve party ensured we could all have fun - friends old and new, including my L.A.-based friend Wayne Gonzalez, Celebrity Astrologer whose analysis will “read” and explain many things about you - for the good. LOL!When last I was in L.A., Wayne joined some of me - and some of my friends from "The Queen Latifah Show", which was still in production at the time. He gave them an ear full. Look for more from this talent in 2015 (I predict! LOL!). Tandi's set - for sure - got the holiday celebrating off to a great start! While in Savannah, it was lots of catching up; visiting; children to gift and see; cocktails and juice; lots of food; and lots of laughter and love! Always so good to be home in Savannah where much of it all began. I LOVE MY FAMILY and ALL of my EXTENDED SAVANNAH FAMILY. And I was too excited to get some special “favorite cousin” time with Buddah. Was also nice to catch up with the E-WING CREW – from Natalie and her beautiful family to Ern and his clan. And a special treat it was to get some time with our beloved Bernadette. We got a kick out of catching up with old Windsor Forest High School classmates on one of the evenings. Had my close out in Savannah with fam. Well, a night-cap with the MAYNOR siblings at JEN'S&FRIENDS. AND THEN, a return to ATL for one more night to a "Welcome Back and BYE" party back in Atlanta - hosted by our dear friends and hosts Patrice and Keron (and the boys Zach and Hunter). One of my good-bye guests, dear friend Kevin Freeman taking me out on the ATL town for a night cap at Mixx Atlanta's Upscale Lounge & Nightclub and Chaperelle Nightclub where we bumped into several buddies - including Isoul Harris - ATLANTA's own who is now Editor in Chief of UPTOWN Magazine whose always been good to me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1sAADNg3Ls and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD54heTwCpY. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, EVERYBODY!#siblingsbond #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #WHEREARETHEYNOW #ARISE360

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Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley" brought ALL OF OUR FAV FAM OUT for the eve-of-eve New Year's wrap of our uber-fun Fall 2014 Series! Look for us back up in the Spring of 2015 (and maybe some special ALL STAR KARAOKE moments here and there).! Meanwhile, feel the LOVE that I felt on our last night as Billie's Black Gourmet Soul's owner Adrian Ferguson provided a champagne toast for our ALL STAR KARAOKE faithfuls (and to RING IN THE NEW YEAR) - also to CELEBRATE EIGHT YEARS IN THE BUSINESS. AND SHE FINALLY SANG! She led "The Boss" choir for our weekly finale! Beautiful cap...and WORDS from her - thanking us for making "Tuesday" at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul like their BEST FRIDAY EVER! And come mid-January and for the winter months, MiKA DeHarlem will host KARAOKE UNSCRIPTED which I plan to support when I can. BIG THANKS to our sponsors Miss Jessie's, Joseph Riley Land, Vessie Goldsmith, Motown the Musical, and all the rest. AND MY TEAM is the best - including my producer and fill-in host Bernice Wooden! LOVE YOU! And BIG THANKS to my partner Ant whose vision for me to host something was All Star Karaoke (since 2010) and producer/BFF Derrick Hemphill for working with All Star Karaoke and Life of Riley as the brands grow. Much LOVE to ALL...and HAPPY NEW YEAR! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay

SO SO DEF TURNS 20!

Thanks to my Savannah homegirl and Spelman sister Tandi Reddick for sending me this REMINDER! YES, THAT'S KRISS KROSS and YES, that's me behind them at a listening party for XSCAPE (I think) in 1993 or 1994! Shout out to @Mr_Dupri & @sosodef on 20 YEARS! Before I was blogging and chronicling “…The Life of Riley…” (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog) and before the world was tweeting and facebooking, I was a recent graduate of Morehouse College. First gig was reporter trainee at WSB-TV! Then, competing station WAGA came a calling to hire me as one of its first producer hires for its new morning show “Good Day Atlanta” hosted by my friend Amanda Davis and Paul Ossman. More than the “LOCAL NEWS 101” of writing and stacking a newscast, I got my first entertainment clips for my reel and the privilege of interviewing, booking, and introducing many of the now-household-name players in the A-T-L MUSIC BOOM to the ‘local TV airwaves’ (including pre-Janet JD and Babyface & L.A. Reid’s LA FACE RECORDS; Dallas Austin’s ROWDY RECORDS; Keith Sweat’s crew; etc.) ---- all fertilizer on my overall brand as producer/talent/writer with a concentration in pop culture and entertainment. Jermaine Dupri’s SO SO DEF IMPRINT broke acts like Bow Wow, Da Brat, Kriss Kross, R&B group Xscape, and the list goes on. This weekend (Saturday), he plans to celebrate the occasion with a star-studded concert: http://www.ticketmaster.com/So-So-Def-20th-Anniversary-All-Star-Concert-tickets/artist/1823487.

FUNK JAZZ KAFE

Congrats to my Savannah homeboy Jason Orr who brought his documentary “Funk Jazz Kafe: Diary of a Decade” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9u_QKXAn-gE) to New York by way of the 3rd annual “New Voices In Black Cinema” Festival housed at BAM Rose Cinemas (www.ActNowproduction.org). The film’s timeline is a soundtrack to my life and career – highlighting the beginnings of the ‘Funk Jazz Kafe’ (when I actually lived in Atlanta); the window in which my mother passed away (July 1994); the many magical moments for which I returned to Atlanta, once I moved to NYC in 1995. It turns out that Jason and I were in the same place for the same event 9/11 – a moment that not only changed the world, but changed the ‘‘Funk Jazz Kafe’ forever (I was hired by my dear friends Chandra Jones and Lamar Johnson to host the red carpet at its ROOTS tour in promotion of  Levi’s Engineered Jeans line – including acts like Musiq; Ledisi; and a host of other SOUL greats!). And yet, ‘Funk Jazz Kafe’ remains as a legacy and a forthcoming, new frontier of cultural landscape. Stay tuned! www.funkjazzkafe.com We made it a double date with one of my high school BFFs (and fellow industry mates) Maurice Marable and his lovely wife – fellow journalist – Karen Good Marable. We also continued childhood BFF Ernest Maynor’s birthday celebration while also joined by Morehouse BFF Michael K. Watts; my once-ATL social concierge and friend Lamoh Hicks; singer/songwriter extraordinaire Gordon Chambers; UPTOWN Mag EIC  (and Morehouse brother) Isoul Harris; former co-worker at CNBC and music manager Miles Anthony Williams; filmmaker Dominga Martin; and many more! CONGRATS, JASON!

HOLLYWOOD, HERE I COME (AGAIN)

Wish I could be in A-T-L to reminisce, but will instead be in L.A. this weekend. I enrolled the folks at Rémy Martin (www.remymartin.com/) - now one of my new, recurring clients - to partner with my friend Gil Robertson (pictured RIGHT from our time in New Orleans together at the National Association of Black Journalists). Gil presides over the African American Film Critics Association and his hosting its Oscar Viewing Party this Sunday: http://aafca.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Oscars.pdf. We’ll be rooting on our Hollywood favs and I’ll pour a little onto the red carpet for JD, SO SO DEF, and my A-T-L peeps!

‘FREE’ SIDRA

Actress Tasha Smith’s Twin Sister, Sidra Smith, produces groundbreaking documentary film, Free Angela And All Political Prisoners

Smith enlists Jada Pinkett Smith as Executive Producer and Codeblack/Lionsgate as distributor for theatrical release

LOS ANGELES, February 18, 2013 – Producer Sidra Smith is beginning the New Year with a bang. She is riding high on the success of her latest project, the powerful documentary film, FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS, which premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival.  As such, she is employing her creativity and strategic thinking to help launch the film’s April 5, 2013 national release.

Sidra Smith is the identical twin sister of acclaimed television and film actress, Tasha Smith (“Tyler Perry’s For Better or Worse”).  She is responsible for bringing aboard her longtime friend, Jada Pinkett Smith, as Executive Producer of the well-received documentary. In turn, Jada brought along her partners at Overbrook Entertainment: Will Smith, James Lassiter, and Ken Stovitz, as well Roc Nation CEO Jay Z, as Co-Executive Producers.  After Sidra screened FREE ANGELA for Codeblack Films CEO Jeff Clanagan, he felt the project was a viable property for Codeblack/Lionsgate for distribution.

As part of her strategic plan, Smith will enhance the youth appeal of FREE ANGELA.  She states, “Angela Davis is an important American hero and icon. She’s a living history lesson whose life is dramatic and compelling. It’s a film everyone needs to see.”

Codeblack Films, a Lionsgate company, has acquired the theatrical rights to the political crime drama documentary about social activist icon Angela Davis.  Through Codeblack Films’ partnership with AMC Theatres^®, FREE ANGELA AND ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS presented by BET Networks, will release exclusively at AMC locations in select markets on April 5, 2013.

 Producer Sidra Smith is a force to be reckoned with.  With more than 15 years of international and domestic experience in various aspects of film, documentary, television, stage, corporate production and advertising, she has become the go-to person for those companies and organizations in search of efficient, creative, and cost-effective services.  She is the Founder and President of Gate Pass Entertainment (www.gatepassentertainment.com), a full-service production company with offices in New York and Los Angeles.

For Sidra Smith interview requests, contact Joseph Babineaux of Perspective PR at (323) 389-6130 or joseph@perspective-pr.com.

 MR. GAINES

R.I.P. LOU MYERS! We LOVE YOU! And WE'LL MISS YOU! But we'll always tune into "Different World" and the DEN!

TO SEE MORE PIX FROM RECENT "...LIFE OF RILEY..." ENTRIES, CLICK HERE: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151233407708737.458629.662073736&type=3&l=e4904390ed

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:

Well, I’m taking more and more meetings. So, something is bound to pop up as my WHAT'S NEXT goes. Meanwhile, I'm treading lightly in the spending department but no less enjoying what life has to offer.            

Sometimes spot work pops up that’s less about revenue and more about using my talents (as gifts) or building and/or maintaining relationships.

I am contributing my gift for writing the scripted word to the “6th Annual Black 2: Broadway Celebrates the Tony Awards”. My boy Kevin-Anthony puts it on every year and I’ve scripted it before (in years gone by): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/6/13/from-black.html. This is an EXCITING year in which many folks of color are nominated for The Tony Award– including Denzel Washington and Viola Davis (for “Fences”); Lillias White, one of 11 nominations for “Fela”; and David Alan Grier for “RACE”. Along with these nominations for the 64th Annual Tony Awards, this year’s special Black 2: Broadway event is co-hosted by Adrian Bailey & Coleman Domingo who Ant and I got to know during his run in Broadway’s “Passing Strange”.

The event I’m working on with Kevin-Anthony is honoring the Broadway Production of “Sophisticated Ladies” along with my friend, Choreographer Kenneth Roberson & “The AUDELCO Organization”. Both will be receiving our Vanguard Award for their contributions & excellence in uplifting & supporting our theater community of color and beyond. The night will round out with the outstanding talents of Ty Stephens, Alyson Williams, Kimberly Nicole just to name a few.

There will be hors d’oeuvres, great dinner buffet, dessert, amazing musical selections and whole lot of fun. For more information, www.black2broadway.com and www.b2productins.xbuild.com. The last time Kevin-Anthony reached out to me, it was November last year… and the request was for me to sing Diana Ross’ “The Boss” to its composers Ashford & Simpson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbI1qEM_k8k). Though not my shining moment (as a singer: http://216.117.188.141/rileyshowforkodjoe.wmv and http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/video/video.php?v=390384328736&ref=mf, it was a lot of FUN to sing for them at GOSPEL UPTOWN where this special Tony-viewing event is held as well.  

Speaking of MISS ROSS, she performed this past week at a SOLD OUT Radio City Music Hall. And as you know, I’d been COUNTING DOWN to the moment. And what a MAGICAL MOMENT it was. The day started at Bard High School Early College where I spoke at an assembly that LIVE OUT LOUD organized (www.liveoutloud.info). You recall, I speak to kids all over the New York City area for LIVE OUT LOUD which mentors, provides scholarships, and promotes awareness around LGBT issues for all students. This auditorium - filled with spirited students - had great comments and questions. After I shared one particular anecdote re: one of my late, great mentors Tom Morgan (for whom I got to sing "Wind Beneath My Wings" before his passing), a student asked me to sing it to them (They gave me a standing ovation). I dedicated it not only to the memory of Tom but to these teenagers who seem to really have a grasp on what they are (more courageously than me...at their age). And I mean the gay teens AND the straight teens. GREAT GROUP OF YOUNG FOLKS!

Then, I had a quick, pre-show drink at THERAPY.

Mario and Derrick invited Ant and me to pop by as Mario was preparing to see 'RACE' on Broadway.

 RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL for MISS ROSS' SOLD-OUT show is where we were going!

She was FABULOUS!

Two of her three daughters Rhonda & Chudney were in the house along with one of her two sons Ross.

I got a pic with Chudney.

Of course, I've gotten shots with Rhonda before.

And Tracee.

I’ve known Ern since 7^th grade (1982) and he’s known my Miss Ross-jones since that time. But of my 25 times seeing Miss Ross, he’s never been. So, for his February birthday, I promised him a ticket (This, before I even knew Ross was – for sure – going on tour).

Then, Ant – of course – had to be there. And so many other friends I know through our collective love of DIANA - including my Frankie. Scott.

 And Dustin.

And Bernard.

 Just too many to name here.

But I must acknowledge my Morehouse BFF Michael K. Watts accompanied me (also my birthday gift to him). He reviewed the show VIA his new Facebook page for his concert reviews... “LIVE! from Front Row”!!!  Please join his Facebook page... and you don't have to be ON Facebook to see the Diana Ross review!!!   

To read the review of Diana Ross' Radio City Music Hall show:  http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=393390688541

To read past reviews and get the latest concert tour news, check out and join our Facebook page:  http://www.facebook.com/LIVEfromFrontRow

And of course, YOU TUBE (www.youtube.com) can show you an excerpt here or there. But MISS ROSS has proven again that there’s nothing like seeing her LIVE. She TRULY REIGNS SUPREME!

Have you picked up your JUNE issue of ESSENCE Magazine (www.essence.com) with Taraji P. Henson on the cover? I’d mentioned this before, but a friend just called to say they saw the resource guide for Black fathers I wrote and compiled for ESSENCE, my 2^nd by-line since November (when I did a series of interviews with top thinkers on the shifting image of African American men in the era of Obama). It’s on p. 160...just below an awesome piece my NABJ sister Katti Gray wrote.

This past weekend, I put on my media consulting hat. I supervised a session to help a friend navigate some new career decisions. Then, my friend Ron Smith invited me to meet fab Chicago-based designer Borris Powell (www.borrispowell.com) at The Bryant Park Hotel. He does amazing dresses and coats/jackets. And in the house - at his suite - were many old industry friends like Dynelle as well as a round of new buddies - including model Cole who Ant and I remembered seeing in a few shows - including Miquel Antoinne and R. Scott French. Also, not intentionally, there was a host of SCORPIOS in the house (go figure). And that number included fashion photographer Antonio Anobile. Ant and his 'Wendy' co-worker Jaz came by too.

Later in the weekend, Ant and I accepted an invite to New Rochelle from my Amazing Grace Nichole and her New Ro buddies. They were throwing a garage sale. FUN TIMES! Afterwards, we went to Chat 19 American Grill for some delicious cuisine before turning in.

Then, Sunday, we did DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON. This is an event my Carl Nelson produces every year (www.drumsalongthehudson.org/). He even booking me to host portions of the program in years gone by. This year, Ant – who has worked for the event before – and I were simply guests. Refreshing! The over-riding host is Sandra Bookman. Always a JOY! And my co-host from last year is Tetiana Anderson and she held down the fort brilliantly – including her tribute to Melky Jean, Wyclef's sister (www.carmafoundation.org). BFF Brian's girl Kelli and her son Jonathan joined us - after which we grabbed a lovely bite with her homegirl Emily at El Paso Restaurante Mexicano in Harlem. Then, an early evening back at home... getting ready for the week which includes my nephew coming up to NYC to find his permanent digs (The recent graduate from Morehouse College has a 1^st gig awaiting him here in Manhattan). Last week, Ant and I enjoyed a marathon-of-a-weekend in Atlanta – all centered around my nephew’s graduation. It was so great to see the family. And many of us were in the house. But before Ant and I got around to family time, we got to hang out with our friend Lamoh. He's the buddy with whom I hung out all last summer. Many of his friends were shooting "Real Housewives of Atlanta". I was field and story producing "Monica: Still Standing". And he and I actually met while I was shooting "Frankie & Neffe". He works alongside Dwight Eubanks... and manages all of his appearances. 

He took Ant & me to "Blakes on the Park" (Piedmont) where we stumbled into Ana Ortiz (Ugly Betty's older sister on the now-canceled show). She is shooting a movie in ATL and was so SWEET - even remembering a recent story she read in The Huffington Post that named Morehouse one of the most grueling (academically challenging) colleges in the nation (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/12/the-most-grueling-college_n_574120.html); ALSO, Lamoh - my first call when I hit ATL - took Ant and me out later... to MIXX (in Ansley Mall).Then, we had to get our Taco Cabana on.

This is Latisha, who served us l-l-l-lovely cocktails during our drive by Blakes.

Ant and I also got some down-time at my sister Janice’s place with her husband Vincent, my cousin Felecia, and her husband Skip. My "original Amazing Grace" (BFF) Natalie stopped by my sister Janice's place to say HI with her gorgeous and smart girls Hannah and Lydia in tow. Though I'd left their Christmas presents with my sister, she and Nat hadn't connected yet. So, they got CHRISTMAS IN MAY! LOL! Since I hosted a "The Princess & The Frog" event for NABJ back in August (http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/NABJDisneyMagic.wmv), I received a lot of SWAG from Disney that I just knew the girls would enjoy! "Uncle" Ant threw in some stuff as well. His paternal energies were shining through. We also had to make time to meet BABY GAVIN, another of my BFF Chandra's 'baby love'! Everyone thought Ant was the father! FUTURE MOREHOUSE MAN? So, GREAT to spend time with our Chandra.

Ant and I also got to hang out with our friend Aaron and a buddy of his at my once-Atlanta-home-away-from-home "The TWELVE Hotel - Atlantic Station". We enjoyed some BBQ Pizza and special cocktails - including my kir royale which the servers knew to prepare for me from my time there last summer while shooting "Monica: Still Standing" and "Frankie & Neffe".

My nephew Herman L. Riley III (Noot, I call him) is now a MOREHOUSE MAN (c/o 2010). And since MOREHOUSE, too, is my ALMA MATER, I saw many ‘brothers’ - including Mike Bryant and Kevin Ross. I even got the chance to sing along with the rest of the Morehouse College Glee Club (on our annual tradition:  "Prayer" from Lohengrin and "Dear Old Morehouse"). And to that, I saw many of my professors – including Dr. David Morrow who directs The Morehouse College Glee Club of which I was a member.

Pappadeux was the backdrop for our post-graduation brunch. There, I actually got to see my Dad and reflect a little on 1992 when I became a Morehouse Man... and many of these same players were in attendance for me. And Ant and I got to talk to the many who came to celebrate my nephew - including my cousins Felecia and Sylathea who've known me since I was a baby. They shared all the tid-bits with him. The food was great! The cake was awesome (my sister's brainchild)! And what a blessing to all be together again... for such an OPTIMISTIC gathering! I LOVE YOU ALL!

MEANWHILE, CONRATS to aforementioned Morehouse brother Michael K. Watts on raising $7,000 (of $5.7 million overall) for AIDS Walk. WHAT A HUGE SUCCESS! He reports that over 45,000 people walked the 6.2 mile route which began in Central Park then circled around the Upper West Side and back into the park. Thanks to the funds raised, the Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC) and over 30 other tri-state area AIDS service organizations can continue helping thousands of people living with HIV and AIDS and their families year after year.  GO, MIKE GO!