A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley sends our sponsor and dear sister friend and client Miss Jessie's MIKO BRANCH our #ENDLESSLOVE as today. #DEC4 is the one year anniversary since her sister and Miss Jessie’s Co-Founder Titi Branch's passing. At the top of this year, Miko asked me to sing Sylvester and Patti LaBelle "You Are My Friend" for the public celebration of her sister Titi Branch's life held at the Brown Memorial Baptist Church, Brooklyn, NY:

https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153400518588737/?l=4351585039571061562

. A BEAUTIFUL, UPLIFTING AFTERNOON! We SHARE with all of you in memory of Titi Branch. Her LEGACY LIVES ON! And what a FRIEND and SISTER she was to so many! PLEASE SHARE your memories of #TitiBranch with #MikoBranch #MissJessies #lifeand #legacy #youaremyfriend #miss_jessies #missjessiesbook #titibranch #titigift#TitiBranch #RIPTitiBranch #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #pics #memories #video#remember #PATTILABELLE, #PATTIPIES, #JAMESWRIGHT, #JAMESWRIGHTCHANEL#SWEETPOTATOPIE #WALMART #OWNTV #OPRAHSMASTERCLASS #thebosschoir#mightysylvester #divassimplysinging #worldaidsday

Miss Jessie's is back atop our sponsors for Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley! I’m also doing some brand ambassador work with#missjessies CEO and CO-FOUNDER MIKO BRANCH who is still promoting her book Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch-Naturally (Amistad; Hardcover; $24.99): https://youtu.be/RL-EqYvCAeI. As she is among the EBONY 100 today in Los Angeles, she is doing rounds of press – including “Breaking Into with Miko Branch” via Black Hollywood Live: https://t.co/NH6V0uQssC and a special shout out to my brother friend Derek Lafayette for inviting Miko to appear as a guest on the Rhythm Late Night Show, the prime time, top-rated, interactive program a live televised radio show (think: Dish Nation meets Howard Stern) that is filmed at Dream Magic Studios state of the art facility in Los Angeles, CA. We THANK MISS JESSIE’s for such an AWESOME PARTNERSHIP for Seasons 2, 3, and 4 of Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley. BY THE WAY: I recently got to interview Shanice Williams for recurring client NBCBLK! That interview is here:  

http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/shanice-williams-tonights-wiz-live-debut-n471616

Did you see THE WIZ LIVE? What did you think?

We hope the cast will come and sing with us at Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley! We’re always singing songs from THE WIZ:

Nabj40

What a WONDERFUL week NABJ! It’s truly my ANNUAL THERAPY! 21 YEARS of NABJ Conventions! YIKES! GASP! LOL!

APOLLO STYLE

One highlight this week for me was getting the opportunity to HOST #NABJ40 AT THE APOLLO… and what a BLAST THAT WAS. A GLOWING REVIEW from Pulitzer-prize-winning journalist ER Shipp goes a LONG WAY! THANK YOU, SIS! REVIEW: "Displaying his unique talent as emcee, instigator, cajoler, cheerleader and performer, our Patrick The Entertainer helped kick off the 40th anniversary convention of the National Association of Black Journalists with a night of poetry, gymnastics and music by journalists and friends at the convention center in Minneapolis, temporarily transformed into The World Famous Apollo Theater. He even persuaded the likes of news executives Paula Madison and Cheryl Smith to party like it was 1999. Thank you, Patrick L. Riley. How will we top this next year in Washington D.C.?" MY RECAP: #NABJ40 kicked off with a FUN OPENING NIGHT event - KARAOKE, APOLLO-style!!!!! I sang "Reasons" and a Mariah Hollywood Walk of Fame shout out with "Can't Let Go". ALSO: We homaged Minneapolis' own Prince Roger Nelson by singing along on 1999...and we also did a #DABUTTmoment. Plus, of course, the #THEBOSS CHOIR FINALE! LOL! Our NABJ members enthusiastically sang, recited poetry, played sax, and danced for the GRAND PRIZE of a $100 GIFT CARD to TARGET! .... AND THE WINNER IS: NBCBLK MANAGING EDITOR Amber Payne whose rendition of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You" STUNNED and PLEASANTLY SURPRISED the NABJ audience. Since my Billie's Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley sponsor Miss Jessie's is EXCLUSIVELY the sponsor that got me to (NABJ) National Association of Black Journalists' NABJ Convention & Career Fair, I want to shout out MISS JESSIE's CO-FOUNDER and OWNER MIKO BRANCH for making it possible for me to provide consolation prizes. They included MISS JESSIE'S product bags and Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch-Naturally! And big thanks to Executive Producer Manuel McDonnell Smith and my MARY aka our VOICE OF GODDESS/ON-SITE PRODUCER Angela Robinson and all those who helped make this go off as a great launch for the week. TOTAL FUN! ANNUAL THERAPY! I LOVE NABJ!#REASONS #EARTHWINDANDFIRE #billiesblack#allstarkaraoke #iammissjessies #NABJ40

MISS JESSIE’S

I – as priority – want to shout out MISS JESSIE'S, one of my sponsors for “Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley”: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2015/3/20/ask-patrick.html. Co-Founder Miko Branch was my EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR for #NABJ40. I couldn’t have done the trip without her support. LOOK OUT FOR MIKO at a city near you throughout the rest of the year. Stay tuned to LIFE OF RILEY for those dates in the coming weeks and months. Some coverage that’s coming up – culled from NABJ - includes NABJ Salute to Excellence award-winning PULSEBEAT with Greg Dunmore out of Detroit; several Minneapolis features – including its ‘Good Day’ FOX affiliate; etc.  MIKO was also a panelist for the NABJ AUTHOR SHOWCASE: YOUR COMPELLING STORY - TELL IT & SELL IT #nabj40bioTelling one’s life story is difficult enough, but on top of that you must try to get it published and then convince the world that it is worthy of attention, and purchase. The individuals who grace this panel have managed to do all three, and they’ll share their insights on how they successfully crafted their biographies and brought them to a wider audience.
Location: Convention Center, 208AB
Moderator:
Richard Prince, “Journal-isms”
Panelists:
Miko Branch, Miss Jessie’s
Luther Campbell, Miami New Times
Paula Madison, Williams Group Holdings LLC James McGrath Morris, Biographer and Author

IYANLA

Iyanla Vanzant blessed our morning at #NABJ40 with a breakfast that gave us an intimate, sneak-peek of Iyanla: Fix My Life...and OH, WHAT A SEASON IT WILL BE! PROVOCATIVE! Was also cool to have Iyanla Vanzant be SUPER-EXCITED to see my sponsor for this NABJ Convention & Career Fair, Miss Jessie's and MIKO BRANCH! Iyanla exclaimed "I LOVE MISS JESSIE'S! HAVE IT IN NOW! LOL!" We gave her the best seller Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch-Naturally as well.

Underground

WGN America sponsored #NABJ40 Arts & Entertainment Task Force reception - featuring Empire breakout Jussie Smollett's real-life sister Jurnee Smollett-Bell (Friday Night Lights) to quite the ENTHUSIASTIC audience! My sponsor for this Convention, Miss Miko Branch aka MISS JESSIE'S says she will be tuning in to watch with her son. In the one-hour drama, bravery, ingenuity and power take center stage as slaves band together in the fight of their lives, their families, their future and their freedom. Smollett will appear as Josey, a wild-eyed runaway who doesn’t trust anyone, not even the people stationed along the way who would try to help him. Smollett-Bell plays the series regular role of Rosalee, a shy house slave with a powerful inner strength and courage. And I hear my other favorite Smollett, Jussie, will be in the mix of UNDERGROUND. Of course, his main return is EMPIRE: SEASON 2!!!!

PRINCE

THE REVOLUTION nor PRINCE were TELEVISED or RECORDED! Hell, they didn't even PERFORM! But we all still partied like it was 1999... and got to enjoy PAISLEY PARK. Richard Prince chronicled it best:http://mije.org/richardprince/nabj-audience-sees-prince-2-minutes! READ ON: At least 650 members of the National Association of Black Journalists accepted an invitation from Prince to pay $20 apiece to visit the Paisley Park studio complex used by the entertainer outside Minneapolis Saturday night in hopes of seeing the star himself.
But the NABJ members — and an additional 227 people who paid $50 for the privilege — saw an appearance of just two minutes or so in which the entertainer plugged his upcoming recording. He did not perform. Attendees spent an additional 110 minutes moving their bodies to dance tunes from the '70s and '80s transmitted with heavily enhanced bass beats inside a dimly lit airplane hanger-style hall that featured hefty speakers and a screen with kaleidoscopic images. Some partygoers were fine with what took place; others were not. While the everyday NABJ members were speculating on whether the star would show, 10 others received 45 minutes of interaction with the entertainer. In that meeting, Prince urged news coverage of what he called exploitation of young artists by the music business, which he said requires artists to relinquish too much to the industry, according to Bob Butler, the NABJ president who was among the attendees.
"He wants us to really write about what's going on in the music industry," Butler told Journal-isms. The rock star urged young artists not to sign contracts with the companies. Also in the meeting with Prince were Kelley L. Carter of BuzzFeed; Bryan Monroe, a past NABJ president; Eric Deggans, NPR television critic; Errin Whack, NABJ's vice president-print; incoming NABJ president Sarah J. Glover; ESPN host Michael Wilbon; Barbara Ciara, a past NABJ president; Trymaine Lee, a writer for MSNBC; and Carol Ash of WMAQ-TV in Chicago. "Prince has had a love/hate relationship with the Internet since the Napster days," Oscar Raymundo reported June 30 for Macworld. Last year, Prince quit Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, and in July, his catalog was removed from iTunes and Spotify. The albums, including classics such as "Sign O The Times" and "Purple Rain," have found a home on a new venue assembled by Jay Z, Alvin Aqua Blanco reported Thursday for HipHopWired.com. Prince announced Thursday that the Tidal streaming service, assembled by Jay Z and including shareholder-artists Beyoncé, Madonna, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj and Jack White, would be the exclusive home of his upcoming record HITNRUN, to be released Sept. 7.
"After one meeting, it was obvious that Jay Z and the team he has assembled at TIDAL recognize and applaud the effort that real musicians put in2 their craft 2 achieve the very best they can at this pivotal time in the music industry," Prince said in a statement. "TIDAL have honored Us with a non-restrictive arrangement that once again allows Us to continue making art in the fashion. We've grown accustomed 2 and We're Extremely grateful 4 their generous support." It was that message that Prince used his two minutes to tell the Saturday night Paisley Park audience. "Jay Z and I have an album coming out on Jay Z's title. Downloads are coming. He needs our help," the entertainer said. And then he was gone. The dance music returned. Were audience members expecting too much? Butler messaged NABJ members on Friday, "I received a text on Wednesday that NABJ was invited to hold a dance party at Prince's Paisley Park. When I asked if Prince was going to be there I was told, 'I think so.' Cover charge is $20 at the door. Buses will take registered convention attendees from the Hilton to Paisley Park following the Salute to Excellence Gala." No cell phones were allowed. Attendees were urged to leave them behind. NABJ, which had already announced it faces a potential deficit, paid about $10,000 for buses to take members to Paisley Park in suburban Chanhassen, NABJ Executive Director Darryl R. Matthews told Journal-isms. Waiting for the return trip to Minneapolis, where the association is concluding its 40th anniversary convention, Derrick Clifton, deputy opinion editor ofdailydot.com who is based in New York, said of the evening, "I thought it was great. It's not every day you get to go to Paisley Park. It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, especially if you're not in Minneapolis." The absence of cell phones "gave us as a community of journalists a chance to talk to each other," he said. With the devices, the journalists would probably be on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and trying to capture inside photographs of Paisley Park, Clifton added. However, Margo Spann, a Los Angeles-based journalist, told Journal-isms, "Disgusted is not the word to describe how I feel. With the number of restrictions put on, the event was hyped. What was presented I didn't have to wait two hours [for]. I feel disrespected." The entertainer could have delivered his message on Twitter and saved everyone's time, she said. For those in need of souvenirs, Prince T-shirts were available for $30, vinyl albums for $20, posters for $10 and tote bags for $40. The evening drew 877 people, according to Jason Carlson, Paisley Park's assistant manager.

LADIES WHO LUNCH

My brother friend Nathan Hale Williams Releases Debut Novel: Ladies Who Lunch & Love… and we are ALL TOO EXCITED! It’s about Four Fabulous NYC Women Share Their Tales of Triumphs, Tragedies and Love. Please see link to buy book BELOW. Ladies Who Lunch & Love, the dazzling debut novel from former Essence magazine columnist and NAACP Image Award nominee, Nathan Hale Williams, is the story of four fabulous New York society women navigating life and love while sharing their best friend. Not your typical snobs or real housewives, these ladies are down-to-earth, relatable women who know how to have a great time even when confronting life’s challenges. Over the course of a year, the narrator and the ladies go on a journey that forces them to examine their lives and choices, yet enjoying the glamorous side of NYC as the backdrop. Vikki is a twice-divorced magazine publisher contemplating a third trip down the aisle with her younger, multi-millionaire boyfriend. Krissy is a high-powered attorney with humble Harlem beginnings who has a penchant for downward spiraling men. Lauren, the nature loving trust-fund heiress, has to work for the first time because of her film producer husband’s drug addictions. And, Rebecca is the “house” wife of a business tycoon caught in an affair with a star ballet dancer. The other main character of the novel is New York City, which the narrator romanticizes as “the true love of his life.” “Ladies Who Lunch & Love combines the sultry urban drama of an E. Lynn Harris book with the romantic longings of a Candace Bushnell TV series in this exuberant debut novel" says Keith Boykin, New York Times bestselling author Ladies Who Lunch & Love is also a novelization of Nathan’s popular Essence magazine love and relationship advice column, “The Girl’s Best Friend.” It is heartwarming, complex, and full of relatable, but well-crafted characters who live extraordinary lives. Yet, every woman (and man) can identify with their stories and struggles. “Ladies Who Lunch & Love was a joy to write and I hope readers will enjoy these stories and life lessons embedded in a fun story,” says Mr. Williams.

LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Lunch-Love-Nathan-Williams-ebook/dp/B012HEKWMW/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1439268299&sr=8-1

 BIO: Nathan Hale Williams is an award-winning filmmaker (Dirty Laundry & Love for Passion), producer, entertainment attorney and television personality. Nathan is the co-author of Inspiration: Profiles of Black Women Changing Our World and contributing author of For Colored Boys…, which won the American Library Association’s Stonewall Award for Non-Fiction Book of the Year. Nathan starred in Sundance Channel’s #1 rated original series, “Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys” as well as Showtime’s “American Candidate.” He recently moved to Los Angeles after living in Harlem, New York for fifteen years. ### Press Contact: Kiwan Michael Anderson, 323.614.5550 or KAnderson@a-plusevents.com

we’re back

TOMORROW (as in TUESDAY), we're back for WEEK 2 of SPRING 2015 SERIES: #ALLSTARKARAOKE #BILLIESBLACK #IAMMISSJESSIES are ALL BACK TOGETHER AGAIN inside Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley: the SPRING 2015 SERIES! BUT MORE ON THAT IN A MINUTE....

tamia

I LOVE ME SOME TAMIA! And recurring client ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 provided an awesome opportunity for me to interview her:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW1kFsgRINE&feature=youtu.be! Another week of ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 makes the week complete - especially given that MISS LOLA and I interviewed one of my FAVORITES + WALL STREET JOURNAL style writer Ray Smith - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0GQyU3IVes&feature=youtu.be; and actress Andrea Lewis (“Black Actress” web series) -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT4UvaJ-h24&feature=youtu.be! YOU can watch (and me from time to time) - now on Time Warner, Verizon Fios, and On Demand viawww.YouTube.com/AriseENT360. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #arise360 #allstarkaraoke#billiesblack

back to our ALL STAR KARAOKE re-cap...

 And my ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS did NOT disappoint – including Miss Jessie’s own Miko Branch who made a surprise visit after receiving a nod at the Essence Beauty Awards. Other victors of that prize included Porsche Cooper and ALL STAR KARAOKE DIVA Carla Bone – known for rocking the tresses of Kerry Washington and Jada Pinkett Smith. So glad they all chose to come out and CELEBRATE with us. We even ALL sang our weekly anthem #THEBOSS - https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/vb.662073736/10152964609513737/?type=3&theater.  OTHER SPECIAL GUESTS IN THE HOUSE: Lisa Bonner, Esq and TV personality (winner of MISS JESSIE’s giveaway and our weekly raffle for a Mother’s Day weekend show at The Apollo); Musa Jackson (Harlem’s own super-producer of events and parties who has just been signed to model again with the iconic agent Nadia Shahrik; Ryan Tarpley, Agent extraordinaire including clients like Brandy; Boule (MC/rapper); photographer Ray Bangs; Charon Richardson (designer, GWAN “Heat” swimwear for curvy women); my dear friend from ATL, Lamoh Hicks; my industry buddy Angelique Miles (who is working on a cool project scheduled for May 6th in NYC: “COMMON – UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL” – an intimate evening of instrumental, spoken word, and musical performance – www.MISTHARLEM.COM/EVENT/COMMON); my nephew Herman L. Riley III and several of our Morehouse brothers; and a host of other SUPPORTERS for which our “Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke” is GRATEFUL! We’re up EVERY TUESDAY in Harlem from 7p-10p. Please come out and join us! RESERVATIONS ARE HIGHLY RECOMMENDED: CALL 212 280 2248. And PLEASE consider us to celebrate your BIRTHDAY as we did my partner Anthony Harper last night! It’s the PERFECT BACKDROP! As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! XO

sir duke

The first shout out should go to Vice President of Development at Jazz at Lincoln Center Dwayne Ashley. He invited me to Jazz at Lincoln Center’s annual Spring Gala in Frederick P. Rose Hall. This year we celebrated the indomitable spirit of swing in an evening titled "The World of Duke Ellington." Host Michael Keaton (booked for the event exclusively by my BFF Sidra Smith) joined the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and Wynton Marsalis along with special guests: Tony Bennett, Pastor Shirley Caesar, Jonathan Batiste, Christian McBride, Adriane Lenox, Dick Hyman, and Melissa Aldana for unforgettable performances. The evening also honorED Jazz at Lincoln Center Board Chairman Robert J. Appel with the Ed Bradley Award for Leadership in Jazz, and Wendy Oxenhorn, Vice Chairman and Executive Director of the Jazz Foundation of America with the Ashley Schiff Ramos Community Development in Jazz Award. And how EXCITED was I to see so many friends in the house – including my dear friend since our college days (her FAMU; me MOREHOUSE; we both NABJ): Miss Paula Witt! LOVE Y’ALL! Great WEDNESDAY! #jalc #dukeellington

common

I'M SO EXCITED! Please make sure you click on the following link and snag your tickets if you want to join me getting UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL with Academy & Grammy Award winning Instrumental, Spoken Word and Musical performer and entertainer: Common: WWW.MISTHARLEM.COM/EVENT/COMMON. That’s right! And this experience could include Exclusive Meet & Greet Packages that are available - including VIP seating. There are two shows: 7PM & 9PM. Seated tickets are cabaret style & there will be dinner options, beer & wine bar available w/ a $20 minimum for any general enquiries please contact the Box Office at 646 738 3048. Shout out to Angelique Miles for hipping Anthony Harper and me to this one! I'M SO EXCITED! XOXOXOXO ‪#‎common ‪#‎ucap ‪#‎madebaharlem ‪#‎myimagestudios

real men graduate

Real Men Graduate National Signing Day is a day to amplify a positive narrative about Black males by celebrating those who have chosen enroll in college or are returning after a break of a semester or more in 2015. I have been asked to participate. For more information: https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/24425-real-men-graduate-signing-day?locale=en.  

camille

Only1Camille is in NYC! YOU KNOW! LOL! And say HI to South Africa’s own Tebogo Lefifi who lives in Beijing, China. Of course, Camille comes from DC by way of Atlanta by way of Orlando (on this leg of her life’s journey which usually has her holding it down in Malaysia, Bali, or WHERE IN THE WORLD IS CAMILLE? LOL! Even Beijing). But this pic finds these two – globally aforementioned – on the same block as me as I’m wrapping a freelance project with recurring client BET. So, we all met up at the Hyatt Times Square to say HI! ONE LOVE! #onlyinnewyork #only1camille

brotherly love

SHOUT OUT to my friend Gil Robertson with the African American Film Critics Association for always keeping me in the know. This time, he makes me aware of a new independent black film, “Brotherly Love,” produced by Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Productions – just released. KeKe Palmer, Cory Hardrict and Quincy Brown lead the cast for first time writer/director Jamal Hill in a complicated love story that will grip your heart and awaken your belief in family. Set in West Philadelphia, born-and-raised basketball star Sergio Taylor (Eric D. Hill Jr.) deals with the early pressures of fame. Alongside older brother June (Cory Hardrict), who lost his own hoop dreams to the streets to provide for the family after their father¹s death, and sister Jackie (KeKe Palmer), whose own musical ambitions are sidetracked by love, Sergio faces life-altering decisions on the streets of Philly. The film's cast includes: Macy Gray, Malik Yoba, Romeo Miller, Jay Lewis, Logan Browning, Faizon Love and Teyana Taylor. Flavor Unit partner, Queen Latifah comments: "Shakim and I have always paved our own lane in business. We are excited to release this incredible film with talent we really believe in. Flavor Unit is constantly looking for projects, new talent, writers and directors that we can create opportunities with and grow with. This movie is an important step for our company and a journey we're ready for." #brotherlylove #flavaunit

spring arises

ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 had me on a few more times this past week – including a reunion with my friends Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier, the show’s hosts. We were BACK TOGETHER AGAIN to talk BROADWAY & OFF-BROADWAY! https://youtu.be/54sUbyIDkiI. Additionally, I filled in for Shannon on another day – including interviews with New York Times bestselling author Eric Jerome Dickey (https://youtu.be/jCgLNbWcof8);

 “Gotham” series star Zabryna Guevara (https://youtu.be/p5RjQ9-YjuM); and “The Scorpion” series star Eddie Kaye Thomas (https://youtu.be/L9q6XabEpEI).  I’ll be filling in a few more times over the next few weeks! YOU can watch (and me from time to time) - now on Time Warner, Verizon Fios, and On Demand... www.YouTube.com/AriseENT360. As always, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!#arise360#allstarkaraoke #billiesblack p.s. Special shout out to Mara Schiavocampo who sent students from the University of Maryland chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists.

harriette cole

I was too excited when Harriette Cole asked me to be a guest on her web series The Root: Bring it to the Table, which churns out its FOURTH SEASON next Month! Harriette – also the show’s Executive Producer – has been an industry buddy for years. So good to discuss FAME: the great things and the pit falls in my episode which will run on  www.TheRoot.com and will be distributed via the site and social media when aired.

Miko Branch

PLEASE don’t forget to join us – starting Tuesday, April 28th at 7p for Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2015/4/9/cookie-and-jamal-rock.html. We are too excited. Meanwhile, our beloved sponsor Miss Jessie’s will be back in the mix. And I am excited to be interviewing Miko at one of her book launch events next Saturday, April 25^th in Bed Stuy. Please see flyer and come out and join us! #iammissjessies #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

Curtis Smith

Hi folks! You should already know who my industry buddy Curtis Smith is as our mutual friend, makeup extraordinaire Merrell Hollis of MAKEUP by MERRELL fame brought Curtis to Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with @Patrick Patrick L. Riley last season (We’re starting back up Tuesday, April 28th from 7p to 10p, by the way!). But Curtis Smith - master groomer and barber behind his recurring clients Diddy and Usherj- is starting up as CELEBRITY JUDGE this Friday on Cedric's Barber Battle – Cedric The Entertainer’s new barber reality competition show. The CW bought 10 episodes which will run every Friday from 8p-8:30p. CEDRIC’S BARBER BATTLE sets out to capture the unique culture that exists in barbering communities across the country. Blending craft with comedy, CEDRIC’S BARBER BATTLE will visit different barbershops in communities, including Los Angeles, Queens, Harlem and Austin, where the best barbers will go head-to-head in a hilariously unfiltered, no-holds-barred arena. Creating hair sculptures that feature elaborate designs, ranging from images of a person’s face to grand cityscapes, the barbers will use nothing more than their clippers and a few coloring tools to create intricate works of art that are both imaginative and location-centric. Episodes will contain two challenges: a “buzz cut” challenge, set inside an iconic barbershop, and an outdoor “cut down” challenge, located at a regional landmark in each city. At the end of each episode, a champion will be crowned. Joining my friend Curt on the panel of judges also known as “The Cutting Board”: Rich the Barber, Bashan “B.G. Cutta” Gibbs and famed instructor Lena Piccininni. FOLLOW CURTIS on Instagram: xotics and FOLLOW CURTIS on TWITTER: xoticsproducts. CONGRATS, CURT! Come back and see us at Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! Billie's Black Gourmet Soul WELCOMES YOU, BROTHER! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #curtissmith #motownmay

wendy hilliard

Shout out to my friend Janet Hill Talbert for inviting me to help raise funds – as reverse auctioneer and raffle wrangler – for the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation’s 3rd annual benefit: HEALTHIER LIVES FOR HARLEM YOUTH! This program provides free and low cost gymnastics for over 15, 000 urban youth – many of whom go on to become serious competitive gymnasts. The US Olympic Committee awarded Wendy Hilliard the prestigious “Rings of Gold” Award in 2011 for her commitment to helping children develop their Olympic dreams and reach their highest athletic goals. The well-appointed affair took place at the New York Athletic Center. You can still be a part and help: www.wfhny.org. AND may I send a special shout out to some of my favorite divas – including Rebecca James, Michelle Huff, and Simone Smalls! Plus a couple of my divo bros were in the house and I was so happy to see: Raymond Lewis – one of Adrianne C. Smith’s Southern Chefs and a chef personality his own right; my Morehouse brother and fellow pop culture/arts producer/personality George Alexander; and UPTOWN Publisher Len Burnett. #wendyhilliardFD #WendyHilliardFoundation