PATRICKRILEYHEADSHOT2.JPGWELCOME 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. 

5.) And anytime pictures or video can support an entry (in the blog, and perhaps in the subsequent podcasts, my space, and website), those visuals will keep things aesthetically enrolling. That section will be called "MY TUBE".
PLAYING TO THE POP IN POSSIBILITIES!
Patrick L. Riley

 

Entries in Bevy Smith (3)

zombie bounce

SUNDAE SERMON

A diverse sea of my people gathered recently for our beloved Summer Sunday pass-time Sundae Sermon. This week, our Bevy Smith hosted with the MOST! And TEAM Sundae Sermon was led by two of my favorites DJ Stormin Norman and Michaela angela Davis. Here’s to more! Save my space under the tree…  http://sundaesermon.com/ #ThisIsSundaeSermon #ThankYou #SundaeSermon 

UPTOWN BOUNCE

A WEDNESDAY NIGHT IN NYC! Great to hang with my friends (and our “All Star Karaoke” team), Derrick and Bernice for – first – UPTOWN BOUNCE, a free summer series event – featuring music, Gallery talks, art workshops, breakdancing, summer drinks, and tasty food. DJ Tony Touch brought Great sounds as we learned about graffiti’s influence on hip hop through the City As Canvas Exhibition. We LOVE El Museo del Barrio.

CARLA-OKE

From there, it was CARLA-OKE TIME! Yep! Our ALL STAR KARAOKE faithful Carla Bone celebrates another birthday and PULSE KARAOKE was the backdrop for our industry fam to serenade her. FASHION QUEENS Bevy Smith was in the house along with a host of fab folks – including Ice T’s main groomer Brian Badie and a host of others. FUN WEDNESDAY!

LOVE FOR PASSION

What an amazing time at my friend Nathan Hale Williams’ fundraiser: Love For Passion - Film at Katra! Ant and I are thrilled that Nathan asked us to be on the Host Committee. CELEBRITY GUEST HOST - Desmond Richardson – is EVERYTHING! Though a Tony Award nominee & dance legend, he is must humble and generous with his talents and his time. THANKS DESMOND! So glad he graced us with his presence and gave us a hint of what’s to come with Evidence Dance Company (https://www.facebook.com/evidencedance). Industry buddies Qwynn Dolmo, Nakia Hicks, Joe Mode, Entertainer Buttaflysoul, and BJ Coleman co-hosted. Music was provided by DjPoison Ivy & DJ Audi Mansell.! https://love4passionfilmeventkatra.eventbrite.com/

FB - facebook.com/loveforpassion

Twitter - @lovepasionfilm

IG - @loveforpassionfilm

PLEASE CONTINUE TO SUPPORT: https://www.facebook.com/LoveForPassion

 #loveforpassion#fathersandsons #realmendance

P.S. Did Harlem diva Tammy Ford join Ant and me for karaoke and sushi at Yuki 55 after the party? YEP! Perfect nightcap! XOXOXOXOXO

UPTOWN

LOVE UPTOWN Magazine! Always good to me! http://uptownmagazine.com/2013/12/h-list-patrick-riley-video  AND THE BIGGEST CONGRATS to UPTOWN Editor in Chief and my Morehouse brother and friend Isoul Harris who shares: "The debut of @UptownMagazine's 10th #Anniversary #Music & #Style Issue starring @Common & model @SelitaEbanks on #AccessHollywood. Shot on location in the #penthouse suite of #TheWTimesSquare by famed photographer @CliffWatts & styled by #MicaelaErlanger (stylist for #LupitaNyongo). #Fashion #Luxury #Lifestyle #EditorsEye #Aspiration

ZERO DEGREE ZOMBIE ZONE

Last I shouted out my friend PATRIK HENRY BASS (far right), I was moderating a The Greene Space at WNYC/WQXR panel that followed a radio revisiting of Zora Neale Hurston’s celebrated novel Their Eyes Were Watching God from the point of view of Janie’s love interest, Tea Cake: http://www.thegreenespace.org/events/thegreenespace/2012/sep/17/their-eyes-were-watching-god-teacakes-legacy/Was AWESOME to wax philosophical – through a male lens - with Patrik and other great minds on Hurston’s iconic narrative: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/9/17/their-eyez.html. Well, a HOT NEW SHOUT OUT TO my friend PATRIK HENRY BASS – Essence magazine and Essence Online's own Books Editor and Director of Editorial Projects - for underscoring, in action and excellence, the increasing need for kid books about African American children. On Tuesday, August 26,Columbia Scholastic Press - Scholastic - is publishing The Zero Degree Zombie Zone. The book, for ages 8-12 and grades 3-7 is one of the first to feature four African-American kids (three boys and a girl) in a fantasy setting replete with zombies. It's also my attempt to encourage more African-American boys to read by presenting relatable characters. I am helping spread the word about#ZeroDegreeZombieZone's publication! Please help me! 

SOUTHERN CHEFS

Shout out to my Spelman sister Adrianne C. Smith whose budding “Southern Chefs” TV cooking competition shot an array of ordinary self-proclaimed chefs from the South in New York City – living in one 2 bedroom apartment in Harlem for the opportunity of a lifetime by hosting a pop-up dinner for 25 guests including some of NYC’s finest chefs and restaurant owners. I was invited as a tastemaker, but scheduling didn’t allow. But the pix were nothing short of “tasty” and I hope to have a to-go plate the next time (or at the next round of tapings for its inevitable pick-up and re-up). Congrats, my forever-MISS-MAROON-AND-WHITE! FOR MORE INFO,  https://www.facebook.com/southernchefstv.

golden hearts

 

GOLD

Have I been on this earth 42 years? Well, the calendar says so! And as it always falls a few days before THANKSGIVING, I always get an annual nudge in the direction of GRATITUDE! And I am GRATEFUL for so much, even though I couldn’t manage an escape from my work load this year. It didn’t matter because (1) I am GRATEFUL for the work (as an independent personality/producer/writer) & (2) You know we still got it in! LOL! Dinner here. Cake there. Karaoke there. Karaoke here. My karaoke posse. My guy. My family. My friends (AKA extended family). My health. My girls. My AMAZING GRACES! And a SMILE! What else do I need? THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WELL WISHES, LOVE, and UNYIELDING SUPPORT!

HEARTS

In the spirit of my birthday weekend, I was too excited to receive the rare and treasured gift of being able to hang out with two of my BFFs Carl Nelson and Sidra Smith. We attended the Hearts of Gold's 16th Annual Fall Fundraising Gala sponsored by Rémy Martin® on Friday, November 16th here in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion (http://www.heartsofgold.org/). And what a beautiful night it was! I was happy to have a hand in enrolling client Rémy Martin® to participate in this charity event which supports an organization that fosters sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. In the house: my buddy Rhonda Ross who brilliantly performed "Cabaret" for the so-themed event. The irony wasn't lost on her: Rhonda's mom Diana was expected to win the Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Holliday in "Lady Sings The Blues" in 1972. Instead, Liza Minnelli snagged the prize for "Cabaret". Rhonda and I had a giggle about it, her noting that other friends and family members were clutching their pearls at the song selection. Irony has never been lost on Miss Diana as she performed "Family" from the Broadway show "Dreamgirls" in her legendary 1983 Central Park shows (rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUtqo7_mEMY & shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtXS8R_iILs) at a time where she was believed to not be in love with the staged musical's loose interpretation of her own life story. I got to discuss that tid-bit with the song's writer Henry Krieger a few years back when Ant was still a producer for STARZ! in Denver and he flew in to interview Mr. Krieger (and to celebrate our 1 YEAR TOGETHER! It'll be 7 YEARS come December): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/12/3/i-have-a-dream-today.html). BUT I "DI"-GRESS, though I know my DIANA fans Andreas (in town from Germany) and Jim don't mind! LOL! Other hosts at HEARTS OF GOLD included my National Association of Black Journalists sister friend Soledad O'Brien and my friend Tamara Tunie (whose husband Gregory Generet was in the house. He is performing at SMOKE every Thursday, singing his beautiful and bold brand of jazz (with a little soul to boot). You should check it out: http://gregorygeneret.com/. Of course, I referenced in my last blog entry Tamara's latest - including "Flight" with Denzel Washington: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/11/8/freedom-you-see.html). Hearts of Gold Founder Deborah Koenigsberger led a team that raised lots of money for this great cause. Special shout out to my girlfriends, WABC News 7 Divas Kemberly Richardson and career-long friend Sandra Bookman, anchor and host of "Here & Now" (http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/channel?section=resources/lifestyle_community/community&id=7108383), which recently produced a segment on Deborah and her Hearts of Gold work.

PURPOSE

Shout out to my friend and NYC's favorite socialite and businesswoman Bevy Smith. She invited "...The Life of Riley..." out to celebrate the launch of "The Purpose Awards" with multicultural marketer/author, Teneshia Jackson Warner. She is quite the exemplar and grio on multicultural marketing and connecting with consumers through philanthropic endeavors. So many amazing friends (from my fellow journalists to entertainers and tastemakers I've admired for a long time) were in the room. I won't list them all...but you'll recognize some of them at this networking fiesta. Beauty & Essex was the well-appointed back-drop where we ate on roasted carrot & avocado salad; whipped rocotta 'jewels on toast'; chipotle grilled shrimp; lobster tacos; grilled salmon; broccolini; filet mignon; yukon gold potato puree; petite cupcakes; and caramel mousse bombe. I must mention the honorees - most of whom have touched the life of Riley:

1. "My Black Is Beautiful" (http://www.myblackisbeautiful.com/); TWITTER: @MBIBMovement; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/mbib 

* Was great to produce one of its integrations for "The Wendy Williams Show": http://www.wendyshow.com/MyBlackIsBeautiful/, which got a hit in Black Enterprise: http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/giving-back-against-all-odds/.

2. Kathryn Finney (www.thebudgetfashionista.com); TWITTER: @KathrynFinney; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Finney-The-Budget-Fashionista/17011731381

3. Phillip Bloch (www.phillipbloch.com); TWITTER: @phillipbloch; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Phillip-Bloch (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/8/23/harlem-sparkle.html)

4. Chef Roble (www.chefrobleandco.com); TWITTER: @ChefRoble; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Roble/82813671947

(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/7/19/bright-daze-dark-knights.html)

5. Beverly Bond (www.blackgirlsrockinc.com); TWITTER: @BLACKGIRLSROCK; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK

(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/1/27/black-tales.html

6. Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine (www.disneydreamersacademy.com); TWITTER: @dreamersacademy; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy

* Am excited to have attended and been a host of several programs for the Disney Dreamers Academy: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/disneys-dreamers-academy

Check out Teneshia's book "Profit with Purpose: A Marketer's Guide to Delivering Purpose-Driven Campaigns to Multicultural Audiences" (Order Direct And Save: http://www.paramountbooks.com/ - 888-787-2800 - TOLL FREE). And you can tweet accordingly: @egamiconsulting @teneshiajwarner #profitwithpurpose

EYES

You recall, I hosted an awesome, recorded event at NYPR's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in Manhattan on "Teacake's Legacy" (a la Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God"). Here's a link to that awesome session: http://www.thegreenespace.org/events/thegreenespace/2012/sep/17/their-eyes-were-watching-god-teacakes-legacy/. Well, in the wake of that booking, synergy partner WNYC's The Big Read is making up the second phase of The Greene Space year-long celebration of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (and the novel's 75 years since it was first published 75 years ago in September of 1937). I hosted a BIG READ book club of sorts on the literary work - using clips from the campaign's original roll out which I also chronicled in "....The Life of Riley...": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/zora-neale-hurston) the production of the first American adaptation of the story as a radio play directed by acclaimed actor and playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson, starring Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, Roslyn Ruff, Brandon Dirden and Leslie Uggams, in NYPR's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. During the month of November, WNYC's Community Engagement & Audience Development Department are hosting Big Read listening sessions in various communities. You can check out our website for where some of the others will take place and for more information: www.wnyc.org/events. Special shout out to one of the participants who won the raffle (Kindle Fire). Also a big THANKS to my National Association of Black Journalists/Garden Stare Association of Black Journalists' sister Henrietta Parker - an award-winning producer of content that matters (at NJN).

THANKS

Will miss dinner with The Porters this year. They have other plans. We’ll still be around though. I am excited to partake of a lovely meal at our hosts Danielle and Bernard’s lovely home in NJ. Recently - after working in an edit on a Saturday – an invitation did make its way to us a la The Porters (Mara Schiavocampo and Tommie Porter).

Mara felt like cooking and – VOILA! – we had a Saturday night dinner of chicken, potatoes & gravy, asparagus, homemade biscuits, and a sock-it-to-me cake! While commuting to their Harlem digs, I wondered “Is Mara going to bring ‘Amy Ruth’ or ‘Martha Stewart’?” Well, honey! She brought a mélange! And it was nothing short of DELICIOUS and delightful with some of my favorite people also in the house – including Ant; publicist Rachel Noerdlinger; her boo Hasaan; our in-house shrink-in-process Anwar along with his mentee; and Jamar! As always, THANKS PORTERS!

 ALSO: For the latest on their offspring, Miss Nina: Sure, she's walking. Most babies eventually do that. But she's turning into a viral and TV sensation. From a lullaby (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4360775780176) to a funny viral in which she let me co-star (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4849253031802) to THE TODAY SHOW in designer couture (I didn't get the call for that gig! LOL!). Yes, it's true! Nina made her national TV debut on the Today Show - modeling some very fine threads! GO NINA: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49804995.

 

FUTURE

You all know I believe in inspiring and motivating the young folks as those before me did for me. I got a call from my friend Scott. He’s a Norfolk State University alum (and he is Sheryl Lee Ralph's right hand often when she throws her annual DIVAS: SIMPLY SINGING (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/10/12/divas-simply-singing-more.html)). He asked if Ant and I would speak to the NSU students who were coming to NYC on their annual media tour (I’ve entertained them before: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/12/1/i-recall-the-scenes-that-never-die.html).  Was great to speak alongside NYC-socialite buddy Chasity Saunders, NSU alum who is modeling; acting; and presenting all over the place (http://www.chasitysaunders.com/)! Another alum: Zeke from “The Amazing Race” was in the house, dropping science on the kids. Always good to speak to the young folks as I just did at FAMU when I was recently the Keynote Speaker for the closing ceremony of the NABJ Multi-media Short Course: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/10/10/full-circle.html

One young man - among the NSU students - sent me a note today. In excerpt, he said "...I had to e-mail you and personally thank you for coming to speak to us. It meant more to me than anyone else. As a gay black man, I was so happy to meet you Friday and to meet someone with such an impressive body of work. You are everything I wish to be and everything I want to accomplish...." THE HONOR WAS MINE, I emailed back: "...to hear that I could be a role model to a self-actualized, young Black gay man is quite a GIFT (It's my BIRTHDAY, after all!). I wasn't always so certain that marrying my SEXUAL ORIENTATION to my CAREER was the right thing to do. But in my mid-20s, I'm thrilled that I channeled my AUTHENTIC, LOVING, VULNERABLE self to have ALL MY POSSIBILITIES show up... and I'm still working on the next level, yet feel equipped to do so because I'm TRANSPARENT - if just evidenced by some of my media impressions this year: 

1. My blog "A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/ captures much of what those opportunities have looked like of late. It's proven to be quite a promotable arm to my brand... and I feel the love from all demos!

2. I’ve been bitten by the ON-CAM POP CULTURE ANALYST bug! BET’s DON’T SLEEP – HOSTED BY T.J. HOLMES reached out and booked me for one of its ‘evergreen’ tapings prior to its launch ( http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/9/28/arms-open-wide.html). The week I spoke to you and your fellow NSU classmates here in NYC, I was invited back to DON'T SLEEP for POST-ELECTION DAY talk - including chat about the first two states to pass same-sex marriage via a public vote (Maryland and Maine). 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.  I got to wax philosophical with journalist/cultural critic Toure, and rapper “The Game” who noted he’s a fan of my blog (WOW! LOL!). I’m assured return bookings from the producers.

3. ...and as I do more pop culture analysis, NBC News/The Grio has been calling on me - recently to weigh-in on the NAACP's endorsement of gay marriage: http://www.thegrio.com/politics/will-naacp-gay-marriage-resolution-change-black-hearts-and-minds.php; On New Year's Eve to 2011, I made my "debut" on THE TODAY SHOW (as on-cam 'pop culture analyst') inside a piece that NBC Digitial Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo did on the ball drop in New York's Times Square (http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/PatrickDemoSept2011.mov). And other moments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc6x5JlJuw.

4. My latest CNN.com piece on gay men and their best women friends published a couple of weeks ago: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/living/gay-best-friend as well as the companion blog entry I blasted out the same day: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/8/7/my-girls.html. This assignment that came in the wake of my contribution to CNN.com's Martin Luther King Jr. Monument coverage in October 2011: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/14/us/mlk-memorial-morehouse-glee-club/index.html.

AND THAT'S JUST THE WORK that books me INSIDE that piece. I'm booked far and wide... for much and more ---- and ALL AS I AM!" HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!

1stly FAM

KEYSHIA COLE TO BEVY SMITH

Y'all know in 2009 when a lot less was happening for us journalists out here (READ: down-sizings; lay-offs; etc.), I checked in with some of my fellow journalists on whether I should accept a summer, freelance gig from Dubose Entertainment to field and story produce "Monica: Still Standing" (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/monica) & "Frankie & Neffe" (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/frankie-neffe). They all said "YES! DO IT!" And I did. As a result, my 2009 had me living out of suitcases and - in large doses - living in ATL & L.A. for upwards of a year. Though often I was put up and pampered accordingly at the TWELVE Atlantic Station/ATL and/or the Crescent Beverly Hills/LA, I also was working harder than I've ever worked in my career, even as a local TV reporter - chasing fires, homicides, etc. [TRY CHASING FRANKIE and hear my cry! LOL!]. Once it all wrapped, I landed back into my life in NYC, but always wondered how Frankie, my Dubose fam, and Keyshia were doing. Coincidentally, one of my BFFs since high school Maurice Marable, who has been most instrumental in my freelance work load here in NYC, brought me into BET Creative Services division to consult and work on the show-open for "Keyshia & Daniel: Family First", she and her husband's new BET reality show. Full circle moment presents itself that on the week I'm assigned that project, my friend Bevy Smith invites me to "Geffen/Interscope Presents "Cocktails W/Bevy" in honor of KEYSHIA COLE: WOMAN TO WOMAN". I get the chance to catch up with Keyshia (She says Frankie is doing well.); I meet her husband Daniel, who is a cool and responsible cat (interested in talking to young brothers about responsibility); and I get the chance to reconnect with my boss in 2009, James Dubose, who was such a great boss when we worked together to create two of BET's top 3 reality debuts for the network. In addition to Keyshia and Daniel's show, he's got new music coming out - including TWEET's comeback CD. Also, it was great to see so many of my FAB journalism and society friends - poolside at Jimmy's at The James Hotel in SOHO (including: Angela Bronner Helm; Michaela Angela Davis; Marcia Cole; Cori Murray; Mimi Valdes; NYABJ Prez Mike Feeney; etc. Beautiful EVENING!

UPTOWN MAGAZINE

Shout out to Angela Bronner Helm for my shout out in UPTOWN Magazine!  Caption: "NABJ-ing it on the late night with media rock stars Mara Schiavocampo and Patrick Riley!" LOVE ME SOME KRYSTAL! LOL!

STEVIE J

Look who I ran into the other day in NYC: Stevie J from Love & HipHop Atlanta. Contrary to the televised antics with Mimi and Joseline, he was really cool, nice, and present during our brief exchange.

BURGERS & BOURBON

HAPPY BIRTHDAY and CONGRATS to Burgers & Bourbon with BJ Coleman! http://burgersandbourbon.com/bb-celebrates-our-one-year-anniversary/  Fun times CELEBRATING with the hilarious, MISS LUENELL; Dentist for many DIVAS, Dr. Catrise L. Austin; PR GURU Theo Perry; “Jones”-mag’s social-nisto Carlton Jared Lockett; Mr. Fashion, Walter Greene; Deeon; Ant; MR. NV Kyle Donovan; etc.

JASON LEE

Popped by No Parking Bar en route home last night! Spanish-Language Media Strategist for GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Brian Pacheco presented a preview of his documentary on being gay in L.A. Then, stumbled into Jason Lee whose http://www.iamjasonlee.com/ is all the rage. Jason produced the Kelly Price event Whitney attended just before she passed away. As Jason just celebrated a birthday, NO PARKING's karaoke came in handy!

DJ ILLAH

My friend from BET Keyon Williams AKA DJ ILLAH is hosting a FUN 2-FOR-1 THURSDAYS event at RED MOON AT NIGHT HOTEL – TIMES SQUARE. NO COVER CHARGE. HAPPY HOUR AFTER WORK SPECIAL INCLUDES 2 DRINKS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 & 5 DOLLAR BEERS W/ WORK ID OR BUSINESS CARD! IT GOES FROM 6:30PM-10:30PM. And proved the perfect spot for my colleagues from BET’s Creative Services division and me to unwind as our busy week’s come to an end. We toasted Miss Hershelle’s birthday this week! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BOO!

HARLEM HANG

There's always something popping in Harlem. Recently, I popped by Red Rooster for reggae and to say HI to my girlfriend Sidra Smith (ALOHA!) and my favorite journalist friend Jamie Foster Brown of “Sister 2 Sister” fame.

Also in the house: my boy Jamar Dunn; my girl Marva Hicks; her beau; one of her BFFs Jackee; and friend Dianne Smith, Harlem artist who just got her MFA (Congrats, Dianne!); Miss Beverly and Mr. Matt Morgan, a pair of BFFs who – after my CNN.com piece ran last week: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/living/gay-best-friend – say they were reminded they missed the deadline for my initial book proposal (circa 2006), but now have re-committed to be in the mix as I explore the next phase of that effort.

CAN’T WAIT TO HEAR & SHARE THEIR STORY! I promised myself a helping of Sylvia’s banana pudding…and after the optional fried chicken, collard greens, and potato salad, I made good on that promise. RIP SYLVIA!

MOOCHIE

My boy Kevin "Moochie" Freeman (about whom I've written for his cameos in "Real Housewives of Atlanta") recently made his “stand-up” debut at Gotham Comedy! He was wonderful! Many of us came out to support and toast him afterwards at BBQ. CONGRATS, KEVIN! YOU ARE WONDERFUL!

AYERS IT OUT!

Teresa Horne Ayers is one of my sister's BFFs from her mid-'80s college days at Clark College (before CAU). She is now a Personal & Professional Life Coach and offers these special words of encouragement which I'm excited to share with you: "There are times when the burden of doubt and fear comes with fame… Who do you trust, are you good enough, attractive enough, do you leap too soon, will your fans like you this time… Also, sometimes in the entertainment industry you can feel like you don’t belong and you are In this life alone… even with the noise of the crowd, at times life can be so lonely… even though you know people depend on you for their joy, happiness and encouragement… and this part
Of you is scary… in your relationships and real life fulfillment.  At the next challenge level these same questions of fear and doubt can arise whenever you step Into your next level of greatness. I help by liberating you from a life dictated by fear, doubt and anxiety back to your greatness, goodness and bravery that’s always there to see you through the rough spots, to get back to your sweet spot of happy success. Simply put I give you a private, confidential space to “Ayers It Out” by venting whatever the heck is bothering you, so you don’t take it with you the rest of your day. If you or someone you know can benefit from my service, please refer them for a free consultation to see if we’re a good fit http://www.itsallaboutnow.com/schedule. INSPIRATION & ANGELS EVERYWHERE!

SUNDAE SERMON

SUNDAE SERMON - as always - was a BLAST!

— AND THERE’S ONE MORE!!!