A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

AFUWI & BET

Shout out to BET’s Janet Rolle – Gala Chair for inviting me a second year to produce the tribute videos for The American Foundation for the University of the West Indies awards gala. What an inspiring night! And Suzanne de Passe (pictured) was the first woman to receive AFUWI’s Bob Marley Award. Shout out to honorees Jeanine Liburd (also from BET) and New York anchor Brenda Blackmon. My NABJ mentor Paula Madison – Dinner Chair – was in the house (Pierre Hotel Grand Ballroom) along with NABJ friends Michelle Leone; Elinor Tatum; Nick Charles; etc. Paula is currently Executive Vice President of Diversity for NBC Universal and a Company Officer for GE. She has been an awesome partner and sponsor for the National Association of Black Journalists' Arts & Entertainment Task Force which I Chair. Last year, in San Diego, NBC Universal powered a couple of our well-received programs - including one on journalists interested in transitioning into writing for primetime TV. Star Jones hosted the evening. She was in great form. In addition to being responsible for why the Jackson 5 got signed to Motown, Suzanne - one of Miss Ross' BFFs - was nominated as part of the team that wrote the “Lady Sings the Blues” screenplay. Also, she won one of her Emmys for executive producing MOTOWN 25 in 1983. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KujXaiphzJI

FASHION SHOW & JEFFREY WILLIAMS

Meanwhile, I'm still EXCITED for my friend Jeffrey & his IMAN-anointed, ULTIMATE COLLECTION! He WON "The Fashion Show" (Bravo – also with Isaac Mizrahi)!!!!!!! Nichole & I were with him at the celebration: Caza Mezcal! CONGRATS to JEFFREY who dedicated his line to his late mother (Nichole’s aunt). She died from cancer in 2000. What a living legacy he is. And surely, his mom is looking down and so proud of him as we are.

THE WHIPPING MAN

Saw "The Whipping Man" - a new play starring two-time Emmy-award-winner Andre Braugher as a former slave in the almost-abandoned home of a Jewish Confederate family that owned him. It's in previews. It offers up a bold, fresh, and edgy voice on what some some may deem a cliche (in that it's another play on slaves or post-slaves). My girl Marcia Pendelton is handling marketing and audience on the show. So, for more information, go to: http://www.walktallgirlproductions.com/. 

LIBERATION OF SEXUALITY

Was on a panel last week with friend Marlynn Snyder and A-LIST’s Mike Ruiz (on LOGO) among others. COMPELLING & INSPIRING! Raphael Brown A.K.A. OM coordinated a Gay Men of African Descent panel titled “Liberation of Sexuality and all things that ignite us to live”. He invited me to speak on the panel along with Marlynn; Mike; Hanifah Walidah, Amor Boykin, and moderator Jaszie Alejandro (Shout out to my boy Kijuan who came out to support!) Afterwards, we met up with friends at The Darby (and were told Beyonce & Jay Z were in the house). We missed her this time, but – of course – got to capture our moment with her in Manila (2007) when Ant took me there for my birthday. Seeking a 2011 BEYONCE photo op… now! SO CLOSE, right? LOL! But we did get to hear the house band – featuring Ron Grant. Also, Ashford & Simpson were in the house.

HAITIAN ART

My friend Carl and I went to the Caribbean Cultural Center in Manhattan for a Haiti-inspired, multi-media art exhibit – including the work of Haitian artist VidHo. We nibbled on “Posh Delights” - great little cupcakes from Brooklyn (Montgomery Street). Then, ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT. Last week featured the stellar vocals of KJ ROSE (www.kjrose.com). She let us having it with her rendition of Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way". Her encore? Michael Jackson's "PYT (Pretty Young Thing)" - another home run; Danni; and our ALL-STAR REGULARS – like Ephraim, Harlem’s Anthony, April (+ one of our Italian tourist friends).

JUST AS WE ARE

Our buddy Charlie T's "Just As We Are" 2011 fundraiser had us hanging with former NBA player John Amaechi (who is gay and OUT). The National Arts Club in NYC's Grammercy Park was our FAB backdrop. To find out more: www.justaswearetour.org CONGRATS, CHARLIE T!

LIVE OUT LOUD

I do a lot of speeches with LGBT youth in NYC via Live Out Loud (http://www.liveoutloud.info/). I recently spoke to some great kids from several GSA (Gay-straight alliance) clubs across the city to eat pizza, play games, listen to a speaker (me), discuss issues, and meet other LGBT kids in the city.

Shout out to Leo Preziosi. He is the Founder and President of LIVE OUT LOUD.

TABLE READ

I recently went to Harlem’s George Faison Firehouse to join Malinda Williams opposite whom I played (as actor) for a mutual friend’s table reading. We read the screenplay of a romantic comedy that is soon to shoot (FELA!s Saycon Sengbloh also read). Funny script. Also, fun to act. The feedback was encouraging.

PENWAH

Hey y'all check out my girl PENWAH! She and I also did that table read together for an upcoming film project (Stay tuned). She's currently featured in Naughty by Nature's new video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RLniK-B8VDc&feature=player_embedded Also, she’s got a fan page on FACEBOOK that you must check out… and LIKE: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=268556&id=662073736#!/pages/Penwahs-Artist-Appreciation-Page-aka-Fan-Page/148898295161605.  I LOVE ME SOME PENWAH! Tell her you LIKE her by clicking on her FAN PAGE.

PICTURES

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=244110&id=662073736&l=1ad36abf6f

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=247802&id=662073736&l=271010aa46

ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT

These past couple of weeks, we’ve had some great times at ALL-STAR KARAOKE THURSDAY NIGHT. TICHINA ARNOLD came by last week. She is in town co-starring in “Love, Loss, and What I Wore” at The Westside Theater. After her debut night, she came by and sang a couple of quick ditties along with inspiring folks to keep their pulse on politics!!!! This, before we enjoyed an after set at Sidra’s place – allowing us to download on all things “Martin”; “Everybody Hates Chris”; and pop culture. THANKS TICHINA!!! The week prior, my buddy Ed Roebuck invited R&B DIVA Alyson Williams who does a wonderful Tuesday night set at Ashford & Simpson’s “Sugar Bar”. She agreed to join me on a number: “Our Love” by Natalie Cole (WHAT A HIGHLIGHT! THANKS ALYSON who – FYI - I’ve interviewed before for “…the Life of Riley…” blog: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/3/28/love-is-in-control-finger-on-the-trigger.html!) And so many of my friends – old and new – have been coming out to support – including Tracy (left), a breast cancer survivor. I actually met Tracy through Sid at a table reading. I introduced her to my Mara Schiavocampo who was inspired to do a story on Tracy for NBC (http://www.thegrio.com/health/filmmaker-shares-struggle-of-3-generations-of-breast-cancer.php). DON'T WE LOVE SYNERGY?

LOVE, LOSS & WHAT I WORE

By the way, y’all: PLEASE GO OUT AND SUPPORT TICHINA in this show LOVE, LOSS & WHAT I WORE which she’s only doing for a month! SHE IS SUCH A TALENT! Check out the website for tickets and more information! www.lovelossonstage.com).

MCRIB

I am often invited to big film premieres, wine tastings, and restaurant openings here in New York City. I convinced my girlfriend Sidra to join me at an event that was held at the Times Square McDonald’s (www.McDonalds.com/McRib). The occasion: The return of the McRib (back in restaurants nationwide as a limited promotion running November 2 through November 22). I’d tried it when it first came on the scene back in the ‘80s when I was a tween. Over the years, I’ve seen it on the menu in select locations throughout America, but never re-ordered it as an adult… until last night. McDonald’s USAs Director of Social Media Rick Wion (www.twitter.com/rdublife) invited me out to re-experience the boneless, seasoned pork patty that is dressed with fresh slivered onions, two dill pickle slices, plenty of BBQ sauce, and is served on a toasted, golden-brown home-style roll. I liked it well enough, but not as much as The Ultimate McRib Fans (who were in attendance at the well-appointed affair – including Joey Erwin from Simpsonville, SC, self-described as “Mr. McRib”). Also in attendance: John Resig, co-owner and President of www.theCHIVE.com and www.theBERRY.com. Also, John portrays Deputy Kevin Ellis in one of Sid’s favorite shows and HBO’s hit vampire drama “True Blood”.

KATY PERRY

BIG THANKS to my Morehouse BFF Michael K. Watts (and LIVE! FROM FRONT ROW - www.Youtube.com/LiveFromFrontRow). I got to tag along for “Windows Phone Presents: KATY PERRY” at Roseland Ballroom… “… AND I LIKED IT!” I LOVE KATY… and her show – inclusive of ALL of her HITS - was SPECTACULAR! Then, en route home, I enjoyed a wonderful night of food, wine, and conversation at friend/jewelry designer Trevor Hartman’s place. When he noticed my LOVE of ALBUM COVERS, he gave me an early BDAY gift: “1001 ALBUMS YOU MUST HEAR BEFORE YOU DIE” (UNIVERSE). THIS RAINY DAY & MONDAY HAPPENED TO BRING ME UP!

RACHEL DAY (IN THE LIFE OF RILEY)

Shout out to my boy Caleb for asking me to direct/field produce a pilot project that stars the talented Rachel Day. Rachel incidentally is one of the models we used on the pilot project I host (still-in-post-production... and Caleb is helping us with that one as well - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MIlY3ysEN0k&feature=email). My girl Sidra worked with me, which made for a smooth shoot (Thanks Sid!) and our Philly-based crew held us all up brilliantly. And our subject, accessories designer Nicole Romano (www.nicoleromano.com) was a dream along with her team – including Gabby and Megan (who works in her boutique that is housed at The Plaza Hotel). Ant and I also got to hang out with Caleb recently in Manhattan. Good food. Good drink. A little window shopping! CONGRATS RACHEL!

“THE FASHION SHOW” STARRING JEFFREY WILLIAMS

My Amazing Grace Nichole; our friend Michelle; and I went to the Grand Premiere of “The Fashion Show” starring Iman and Isaac Mizrahi. Though I have met and interviewed Iman before, my reason for supporting this effort is: Jeffrey Williams, my friend and Nichole’s cousin whose name we always knew would be in lights. Jeffrey is one of the fashion designer contestants. CONGRATS JEFFREY! YOU ARE SAFE…this week... and we will be watching you every Tuesday night at 10pm on BRAVO! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

OGILVYCULTURE

Sidra invited Toby and me to join her at Ogilvy & Mather for an introduction to OgilvyCULTURE - a cross-cultural, strategic movement that promises to change how Madison Avenue demographically targets its marketing efforts. The reception and presentation – led by marketing strategist Jeffrey Bowman - were presented to a room full of NYC tastemakers – including “Soul Food”s Bird, Malinda Williams; Miss Bevy Smith; Dee Marshall; Rachel Noerdlinger; Pam Pickens; and a host of others.

TWEENS AND TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS, OH MY!

As I prepare to turn 40, I guess I’m maintaining my joie de vivre by hanging out with the young’ns. Recently, I went to my 13-year-old buddy Zach’s karaoke party at my spot One 7. He asked where he could throw a karaoke set. So, I sent him to my karaoke mecca. And we had a BLAST, but most importantly, Zach had a GREAT TIME!Then, I went to the Hampton Inn to speak to communications and journalism students from my buddy Scott’s alma mater Norfolk State University. They were in NYC for a media tour. I even met - for the first time - the son of my dear friend Sheila Eldridge - awesome publicist and entertainment manager (2nd from right in next pic). Sheila helped me snag an exclusive interview with the 'Funky Divas' En Vogue in 1994 when I was starting out in my career with "Good Day Atlanta". Over the years, she's always mentioned her son. "Jersey" - he calls himself - is getting ready to break into the business by way of the caring folks at Norfolk State U. Look out for him! Also, we invited the impressive bunch of media and journalism scholars to join us for Ant’s co-worker Yaz’s birthday party at Hudson Eatery. Thanks to all of my friends who shared their career testimonials with the young folks who are shaping their professional lives.

GLO-TV

If you haven't checked it out already, see the first Urban LGBT network GLO-TV's 2nd installment of "The Gayest ISH Ever". I still behave (sprinkled throughout - commenting on just a few of the topics). But my fellow pop culture analysts don't necessarily have my filters - to often FUNNY EFFECT! PLEASE tune in and SUBSCRIBE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiqr80HL4y4

MY LISA

Had a GREAT SUNDAY last weekend with my dearest of friends Ern, Tata, Kim, and – of course – Ant. We took a road trip to DC/Maryland to attend a baby shower for my former NJ BFF (but still BFF from the distance) Lisa Goodnight-Sturdivant. That’s right! She’s married now… and they are expecting a baby by year’s end. TIMPANO CHOPHOUSE in Rockville, MD was the well-appointed and elegant backdrop – including the MOST DELICIOUS crab cakes along with other hearty dishes and wine. Was GREAT to see Lisa and her husband Lex along with her parents, his parents, their other family members, and the many friends we have in common. WHAT A JOYFUL ROOM! I laughed so much, my belly hurts! CONGRATULATIONS, my babies!