Hi folks!
In the world of #LifeofRiley, I always say "One [Booking] at a time, sweet Jesus!".
1. This next, well-timed one is FREE and OPEN to the PUBLIC: I am giving a KEYNOTE TALK (Think: Ted Talk) on how I have navigated my decades-long career as a gay Black man; the LGBT community I faced in the 90’s versus the present; the changing face of the LGBT household; and more. It all goes down Tuesday, June 13, 2017 | 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Cocktail Reception 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Kiyo Hall – Prudential Tower 655 Broad Street Newark, NJ RSVP: www.PruLGBT.splashthat.com. ALSO on program: FIRESIDE CHAT with the DEBT FREE GUYS David Auten and John Schneider and MODERATOR/GMA Journalist T.J. Holmes steers a panel that will discuss findings from the 2016 LGBT Financial Experience study and tour, and will review the concerns regarding wealth, legacy, society, and protection within the LGBT community. Stay tuned as things develop in the #LifeofRiley and I am vetting new opportunities (to further book up my Summer 2017 Calendar), so let me know. #PruLGBT #splashthat
2. I just hosted CUTTING FOR A CURE'S CELEBRITY FUNDRAISING DINNER at CHERI RESTAURANT in Harlem....and Humanitarian Award Honoree John Quinones who said "You are GREAT at hosting events! Wow!" I retorted "You are GREAT at ABC News' "What Would You Do?" (which is why you must get into the new season's launch in June 2017. For more information about the show, visit www.abcnews.go.com/WhatWouldYouDo).
Plus, my friend, the amazing Monifah and Jessica Betts and Diamond V serenaded the generous crowd with Supreme Vocals...and Miss Jessie’s helped power the goody bags AND the Auction! Whew! And we were all their to support Marsha Bonner and Denny Moe's movement to which you can all support: www.cuttingforacure.mydagsite.com.
3.Memorial Day Weekend is coming up and I'll be on HOSTING duties for LGBT music fest XSCAPE Puerto Rico 2017 (I'm hosting the VANGUARD AWARDS and co-hosting CELEBRITY KARAOKE --- with Miss Jessie’s Goody Bags).
4. Sun June 4th, HOSTING afternoon stage for Drums Along The Hudson (Honorees including Rhonda Ross).
5. Mon June 5th, Gala Host Committee member for Brooklyn Community Services' 150 Anniversary Finale. The evening is hosted by actress and activist, Debi Mazar who I got the chance to interview recently for recurring client OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network's "Where Are They Now?": http://wearebcs.org/bcs-150-anniversary-finale/.
6. So my dear friend and colleague Derrick Hemphill is Artist Representative for Jessica Strahan (no relation to Mr. GMA Michael Strahan). She's one of three artists represented in Mirrored Migrations which hosted a discussion on its closing day at Brooklyn's Corridor Gallery with a talk between one-third of the women artist troika LaToya M. Hobbs (Arkansas) and the curator, New Orleans' own Sharbreon Plummer who brings together these artists - Lovie Olivia (Texas) also featured - reflecting stories of survival and preservation often lost in the folds of history. Sharbreon Plummer is an administrator whose research centers on Black Visual Culture. She currently serves as Program Associate for Community Engagement at the Joan Mitchell Center. For further information about where this exhibition is going, please contact charlotte@rushartsgallery.org or via phone 845-480-1258. Mirrored Migrations confronts a conversation of the national and global influences of the South on contemporary Black Womanhood. Featured artists LaToya M. Hobbs (Arkansas), Lovie Olivia (Texas), Jessica Strahan (Louisiana) study their personal multifaceted journeys of womanhood and perspectives of the world while reflecting on the traditions, communities and magic that exists. Subscribe to Jessica Strahan's newsletter: www.bit.ly/jHand-SignUp. #MirroredMigrations #LifeofRiley — at Corridor Gallery.
7. Happy #SilverCelebration #Classof1992 #Morehouse And #Spelman #LifeofRiley
8. Have you been keeping up with Miss Jessie's Co-Founder, CEO, and Creative Director Miko Branch? She's been on the road promoting her national best seller "Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch - Naturally" (Harper Collins/Amistad)...and she's booking up press; product donation synergies; budgeted speeches; hosted book signings; etc. I'm on Brand Ambassador duty to vet anything. Please let me know!
As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!