A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

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EMPIRE is on everybody’s minds these days! THE LIFE OF RILEY is no exception. Not only am I talking about the antics of Cookie, Luscious, and the Lyons “dynasty”… but when I wear my guest co-host hat and/or my pop culture analyst hat, it’s EMPIRE and its creator Lee Daniels all day:

Last week, Lee Daniels stopped by to dish on EMPIRE and its over-the-top SUCCESS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXw5_p5fpBI!

That booking came a couple of weeks after my NBCBLK interview  - my debut contribution to that new, African American vertical for NBC News: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/precious-butler-director-lee-daniels-building-empire-n290416.

And ARISE AMERICA had me on with Debbye Turner Bell who – like me – is a FAN! GREAT CHAT with Debbye: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152816022788737.

LORRA RIVERS

I've been talking about the careers of the EMPIRE cast for years. I've met Taraji. Terrence has been really cool throughout the years - dressy or casul! LOL! I attended the "Precious" premiere in Hollywood and met Gabourey. She, Lee, and I would be in the same screening room to see one of his first sharings of "Lee Daniels' "The Butler". And on and on, I could go about the AWESOME cast. Also: From two day-playing roles on another FOX TV hit from the mid-'90s, "New York Undercover", I first got to know EMPIRE co-star Malik Yoba. Have attended his live shows over the years. Happened to be producing BET reality show "Monica: Still Standing" while Malik and the cast of Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married Too?" were filming. We all stayed at the TWELVE Atlantic Station. But par for the course in the LIFE OF RILEY, I'll also be sharing some NAMES behind the STARS and the BRAND of EMPIRE who will be popping up! I want to make sure you are in the KNOW! Shout out to my college BFF Audrey Irvine – CNN’s own – for sending some EMPIRE tea my way. On THIS WEDNESDAY’s episode (March 3, 2015), the vision and cutting edge style of designer Lorra Rivers 'Nikita' clutch will make its debut on Empire!! A homegrown DC talent, Lorra Rivers is a professsionally trained interior designer who received her interior design degree with a minor in architecture from Taraji's alma mater Howard University. With over 27 years' experience, Lorra has served as a contributing writer for Ebony, Homes of Color and Upscale magazines. She was a featured designer in the coffee table book, Spectacular Homes of Greater Washington, DC where her custom furniture designs were on display. In a little over 5 years, Lorra has transitioned her design experience towards another passion, the fashion industry. In creating the 'LorraRivers' brand, her purse designs reflect a cutting edge style for the fashionista with flair. The signature collection 'Nikita' clutch will be featured on this week's Empire.  Which character will  hold the 'Nikita'? Lorra describes the 'Lorra Rivers Woman' as one who possesses awe inspiring sensuality, a playfully shines from within and commands strength tempered with refinement. Stay tuned this Wednesday at 9p on FOX. And let LORRA RIVERS – and LIFE OF RILEY –know your thoughts on the purse AND the episode.

Contact information

www.lorrarivers.com

IG: lorrarivers

Twitter: @lorrarivers1

Facebook: Lorra Rivers bag

KEHINDE WILEY

I have also been seeing Kehinde Wiley’s work in EMPIRE – since Episode 1. Was happy to support my friend Lamar Johnson's film project KEHINDE WILEY: AN ECONOMY OF GRACE which he Executive Produced in partnership with PBS: TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46wgtP3eiEF. It was on a short list of documentaries being considered for the final ballot at this year’s Academy Awards. Look to hear more from Lamar very soon; meanwhile, so good to see Kehinde on EMPIRE!

Nsilo

You see the one on the right with the sunglasses and the pink shirt? I used to call him "Tandi's little brother". She and I were closer in age as we matriculated through Savannah's social teen scene. But I must give him a GROWN MAN shout out to my Savannah homeboy; fellow Windsor Forest High School KNIGHT; and Morehouse brother Nsilo Reddick – business partner and producer to Grammy-winning MC Chamillionaire: http://allhiphop.com/2015/02/24/chamillionaire-start-up-companies/. The two moguls and their team are stellar exemplars of making the most of THE BUSINESS in SHOW BUSINESS as they aim to encourage "our people" to learn more about finance, investing, the tech industry, etc...and to put some of that floss less into bottle service and more into making power moves - for example - at a venture capital firm. And the proof is in the pudding as Chamillionaire announces that he - and Nsilo - are now an entrepreneurs-in-residence for Upfront Ventures, an investment firm. EXCERPT from the article above: “In a letter written by Upfront Ventures’  investment partner Mark Suster, he detailed how his relationship with Chamillionaire began and how the “Hip Hop Police” rapper is flourishing into quite the entrepreneur. The Houston spitter caught Suster’s eye after a 2009 speech about social media engagement in the music industry. A few years back he started many mini investments in tech firms with Suster, which led to Cham wanting to becoming more involved with the tech start up world. “A while back Chamillionaire started telling me he wanted to immerse himself even more in the tech world – learning to build products, studying different business models and committing himself to being a true tech entrepreneur,” Suster wrote. “Chamillionaire has a way more refined sense of what customer behavior is like than most ivy league graduates with nice Powerpoint slides that I meet.” Now as an entrepreneur-in-residence for the next several months, Chamillionaire is soaking up knowledge about start ups and is also advising Upfront Ventures along with his business partner and producer Nsilo Reddick.” LOVE IT! LEAD BY EXAMPLE, MY BROTHERS!

SWEET ARISE

 Hi folks! YOU can watch me (from time to time) on ARISE - now on Time Warner, Verizon Fios, and On Demand... www.YouTube.com/AriseENT360. THIS WEEK, I’m filling in for my friend Shannon Lanier who is on Oscar duty. I’m working alongside Sharon Carpenter who is filling in for our beloved Lola Ogunnaike. Earlier this week, Lee Daniels stopped by to dish on EMPIRE and its over-the-top SUCCESS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXw5_p5fpBI!  This comes a couple of weeks after my NBCBLK interview with one of Hollywood’s finest directors:http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/precious-butler-director-lee-daniels-building-empire-n290416. And ARISE AMERICA had me on with Debbye Turner Bell who – like me – is a FAN! GREAT CHAT with Debbye:https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152816022788737. THIS WEEK on Arise Entertainment 360, we talked OSCARS and interviewed actress Regina Taylor (star of USA Network's DIG on USA) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m8mfdjNa8Q; Anthony Harper's and my friends, Miss Robbie Montgomery and her son Tim Norman – stars of recurring client OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network’s Welcome to Sweetie Pie's -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9IXUAC2-JQ;

 Claire Gilman on why Tomi Ungerer is the first illustrator to be shown at The Drawing Center in its over 30 year history -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT9uzh1U0Gk; Scheana Marie fromVanderpump Rules on Bravo -

http://youtu.be/NLDSsNK2OiQ;

 Crystal Mccrary (Director, “Little Ballers”) -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GiqM51G7YzI;

plastic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJF5icXRtjM;

 Thelonious Monk III -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A1abj_NMk4;

 Jason Hervey (EP, “Outlaw Country”/Child star, “Wonder Years”):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzQYoXeTjJU

; fashion designer Kimberly Goldson (Season 9 FINALIST on “Project Runway”) -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jl2koRMa7Og; and – from MINIBAR (delivery apps) - Lindsey Andrews:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk3H3S-d8Kg. PRIMARILY I do Broadway/pop culture segments and guest co-host on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYghWCBasyo&list=PL1TUj2SKo8ntR2D6QVDcQLwdykzvhtzbK. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!#arise360#ariseTV360 #sweetiepie

QAASIM MIDDLETON

SHOUT OUT to Toni Seawright for sharing her son Qaasim Middleton (and his AWESOME brother Khalil) with us during the SPRING 2014 SERIES of Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley (At the end of June, I also got to share a stage with them as I hosted their mom’s 50TH BDAY PARTY – a tribute to Michael Jackson!).

WELL, NOW WE NEED THE VILLAGE TO LIFT HIM UP as he is TOP 24 on this season of AMERICAN IDOL! TOMORROW night on Fox!!! This week, AMERICA VOTES!!! AND WE MUST GET HIM TO THE TOP 12! So please spread the word and vote for Brooklyn's BADD Boy, New York and Mississippi's Finest in Entertainment!!! And also join his Fan page on Facebook… and hit him up and follow him on:
His Twitter is @QaasimOfficial 
His Instagram is @QaasimOfficial#billiesblack#allstarkaraoke #motownmay#AmericanIdol #LetsBegin#SypheEntertainment#MCMI #MCMIReport#RebellionEvent#idolauditions

Selma – Cochran Firm

During this last week of February, The Cochran Firm is giving high school students from selected metropolitan area schools the opportunity to see Selma Movie. Through the efforts of regional offices of The Cochran Firm, students aged 12 – 19 are seeing the movie, Selma, and are participants in a social media campaign highlighting their thoughts on current social justice issues. For the New York City screening at Magic Johnson Theater in Harlem, organizer of this effort/my NABJ sister friend Yolanda Young – an attorney and journalist – asked me to present the film; The Cochran Firm rep for NYC: Tracey L Brown; and the winnings from the student social media contest to three NYC students: Brian Brown Jr.; Zydasia Ramos; and Joshua Glover. As part of this event, students from across the country posted their original artwork, photos, poems, memes and essays - expressing their views on today’s social justice issues and what they would like to do to peacefully implement change. Winners for their work received a $50 Visa gift card, and the school with the most participation, shares, and entries will win $500. Platforms to follow these works are Twitter (@CochranNational), Instagram (CochranFirm) and Facebook (The Cochran Firm). THANKS COCHRAN FIRM! And SHOUT OUT to YOLANDA YOUNG, who last booked me a year or so ago to host “Lawyers of Color” HOT LIST ROLL CALL reception at esteemed law firm Sullivan & Cromwell!

http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2013/6/9/magic-2-do.html.  

#SELMA #selma2015 #SelmaStudentSocialMediaContest #FDA2 #LifeofRiley #LOR #PatrickLRiley #PatrickRiley

Empire

THIS JUST IN! Please SHARE! My debut contribution to new, recurring client NBC’s new African American vertical NBCBLK: an interview with Lee Daniels whose Empire on FOX TV - starring Taraji P. Henson, Terrence Howard, and Gabourey Sidibe - is a BIG HIT - http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/precious-butler-director-lee-daniels-building-empire-n290416!  LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS! And as always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! XO #NBCBLK #Empire #Lee Daniels #FOXTV

Idol

Y’all know I love me some Toni Seawright! And her boyz Qaasim and Khalil are the bomb too! Qaasim is one to watch this season on American Idol! Happy that he (and the whole fam) brought their talents, love, and gifts to “Billie’s Black PRESENTS All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley” – the Spring 2014 Series! I am further honored that Toni invited me to host her 50TH BDAY PARTY – a tribute to Michael Jackson! We all shared the stage that BEAUTIFUL NIGHT as well! GO QAASIM! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay #AmericanIdol

STEPS

I did a rare day of "acting" in an independent film STEPS - an Eddie Harris Script and Production. My part shot yesterday in Jersey City (and I'll shoot one more day next week). It's this project that my beloved Penwah Phynjuar was instrumental in casting me. I play RUDY who is a hoot with heart. Check out some great press STEPS got as it shoots around Jersey City and here in the Tri-State Area:

http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/26378011/article-Making-it-real--Local-filmmaker-creates-feel-good-movie-with-a-bit-of-grit-?instance=jersey_city_top_story #STEPS

Nightly Show

Glad to attend a Meet & Greet Breakfast for The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore – scheduled to premiere MLK Monday on Comedy Central. He’s branded himself quite well as a comic personality who turns humor about race, class and social issues into big laughs — from his days of writing for In Living Color and Jamie Foxx Show; executive producing Bernie Mac Show; and Eddie Murphy's animated comedy The PJ's; creating specials for Showtime Networks and writing a book, I'd Rather We Got Casinos: And Other Black Thoughts. GLAD TO HANG OUT WITH MY INDUSTRY BUDDIES Isoul Harris (Editor in Chief at Uptown Magazine); iconic editor and writer Angela Bronner Helm ("The Root", "Essence", "Uptown", "Honey", etc.); and NBCBLK’s Amber Payne (Editor whose dispatched me to do my debut contribution to NBC’s new African American vertical, the interview with Lee Daniels). #ComedyCentral #LarryWilmore #THENIGHTLYSHOW #UPTOWNmag

Mel’isa Unsung

My friends at SMEG have one of their diva clients Meli'sa Morgan on Unsung Wednesday, February 4^th on TV ONE. The new season’s been great so far with Rick James and Peaches & Herb. I LOVE UNSUNG! And I adore MELI’SA and her SAVVY-MARKETING ENTERTAINMENT GROUP team! And I CELEBRATE SAVOY on his 50^TH! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FRIEND!

Centric Celebrates Sisterhood

Not sure if you folks saw a little of my last BET project for CENTRIC - "Centric Celebrates Sisterhood": three TV/viral spots I worked with their creative services team to produce, shouting out on their FOUNDERS WEEK, the AKAs, DELTAs, and ZETAs: https://www.facebook.com/CentricTV/videos #CentricCelebratesSisterhood

FRESH

Shout out to my Orlando-based friend Tammie Dunlap whose Fresh Natural Spring Water is delicious! She sent me a box that greeted me upon my return from Georgia. And what a convenience to have water at the ready as I needed to hydrate from all of that eating and drinking down South. Imagine me reaching for more and more bottles of FRESH – light, refreshing, and crisp – instead of my “bubble” (usually a sip of Coca Cola! LOL!). Well, it’s happening. Check it out: www.Drinkfreshusa.com. CONGRATS, TAMMIE! Need another box! LOL!

Motown… See u around

I INTERVIEWED MR. BERRY GORDY and MISS DIANA ROSS and MARY WILSON on OPENING NIGHT of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL on Broadway: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. Got to see the show one more time with my Carl Nelson. MOTOWN THE MUSICAL rocks… and will continue to do so – in London and all over the United States before it returns to Broadway (another theater) in 2016. #ENDLESSLOVE #MOTOWNMAY #BILLIESBLACK #ALLSTARKARAOKE

HB DANI!

Great times at our girlfriend Danielle Andrea Simone Knight's 50th bday party! Eventi - A Kimpton Hotel in NYC hosted the night! Here come the "50 fetes"! LOL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OUR DANI! WE LOVE YOU!

fractured

Check out my friend Pierre Romain's upcoming project: "Fractured" - Staring Eric Roberts, Jake Busey and Athena Lebessis, Directed by Lance KR Kawas, Executive Produced by Pierre Romain, from Washington Street Production, Sterling Worldwide Entertainment and RU'YA International (coming April 2015). Get all the tea here: https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=822129274526908.

As I wrap one project with recurring client BET, I’m excited that another is publishing TODAY my latest assignment that I wrote and filed a couple of months ago: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/living/gay-best-friend/.

The editors at CNN.com reached out to me to write this story as I’ve been shopping a book proposal for a few years on the very subject.

I’m currently remixing the game plan for my project (“Big Willies & Amazing Graces: gay men and their best girlfriends”) to include portraits and video (either documentary or on-line viral series [TBD]).

Meanwhile, as I do more on-cam/print pop culture analysis and event hosting, I am EXCITED to celebrate a group of women who – all my life – have been very special to me.

Indeed, my mom and my sister set the sweet tone before I even knew what the melody was. LOL!

But the ladies of whom I am speaking rounded out the metaphorical score of my adolescent and adult years. And through each of them, I HEAR A SYMPHONY.

You’ll meet Natalie and Nichole in this piece, but my AMAZING GRACEs run deep.

I’ll shout out a few of them here (in alphabetical order here, but no order in my heart):

Audrey

Bernie

Carla

Chandra

Elise

Itika

Jakki

Lisa

Mara

Patrice

Sidra

Tata

Tish

….and so many more! I LOVE YOU ALL!

As always, THANKS to each and every one of you for your support.

And a special shout out to CNN.com for assigning me this piece: I filed something for the site back in the fall of 2011 for its Martin Luther King Jr. Monument coverage (on MLK, Morehouse, and the Morehouse College Glee Club): http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/14/us/mlk-memorial-morehouse-glee-club/index.html.