A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Mist Harlem Steps screening

After we’d all gathered for the Premiere on November 19 2015 in Jersey City, my partner Ant – an events manager at MIST Harlem – told Eddie Harris he should be bring his film ‪#‎STEPSTHEMOVIE to NEW YORK CITY – for our NYC-based friends and tastemakers. STEPS is Co-Directed by Jay Rodriguez and Rock Davis and Executive Produced by Shaquille O’Neal. Like the New Jersey screening, the positive feedback was FELT! And the filmmakers are still taking meetings on which platform(s) we will see our labor of love. I’d mentioned before AMERICAN IDOL FINALIST QAASIM MIDDLETON is in it too along with his brother KHALIL MIDDLETON. AND THEY ARE WONDERFUL! And BIGGEST of THANKS to EDDIE HARRIS and PENWAH for casting me in this amazing project! For more info, go to www.Stepsthemovie.info. THANKS EVERYBODY for your well wishes and for supporting LIFE OF RILEY – including a ‪#‎bosschoir of NYC family including Director/Producer/Casting Giant Tracey Moore; she and my childhood friend Maurice Marable’s son Myles, actor extraordinaire; photography diva Rowena Husbands; DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON Producer Carl Nelson; Emmy-award-winning GMA Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo; Morehouse brother/LIVE FROM FRONT ROW Publisher Michael K. Watts; international model and Bobby Roache Eyeglass wear designer; BFF since childhood/LIBERTY realtor Ernest Maynor; BE NICE Production’s own Bernice Wooden (All Star Karaoke Producer); All Star Karaoke FAVORITE/Hospitality Expert Ephraim Walker; KOBIE CHRONICLES’ own Kobie Brown (Morehouse brother whose online series “Red, White, & Baltimore” we want you to check out soon: http://thekobie.tv/red-white-baltimore-american-story/);  etc. ‪#‎GRATITUDE ‪#‎steps ‪#‎shaquilleoneal#stepsthemovie ‪#‎billiesblack ‪#‎allstarkaraoke ‪#‎MISS_JESSIES‪#‎MISSJESSIESBOOK ‪#‎TITIGIFT ‪#‎MIKOBRANCH ‪#‎MISTHarlem [Some social media: @ebhproductions for EDDIE HARRIS; @rockdaviscom for ROCK DAVIS; @jayscorsese for JAY RODRIGUEZ]

All Star Karaoke for ONE NIGHT ONLY

Billie’s Black PRESENTS All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley: ONE NIGHT ONLY last night was OFF THE CHAIN! And we are so EXCITED to have ushered in B2 --- the closing down of Billie’s Black for SIX WEEKS – at which time BILLIE’S will return SHINY AND NEW under the Creative Direction of Steve Harvey’s own Interior Design Expert/Personality Mikel Welch. DJMARIOTV captured the night beautifully! THANKS DJ MARIO:https://www.facebook.com/djmario.harlem/videos/1113579195381516/?pnref=story.unseen-section

HIGHLIGHTS included:

*Like we do every week – usually as our FINALE: #THEBOSSCHOIR: Excerpt Part 1: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153688858823737/?l=8846900760458209405 and Excerpt Part 2: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153688868348737/?l=852409540132990470

* MISS JESSIE'S giveaways: VIP bags for our special guests: NABJ Vice President-Broadcast Dorothy Tucker, CBS2 Anchor/Reporter and – via a recent Miko Branch media impression - I-Heart Radio Show Host (in town celebrating her birthday). Also, the cast of BLOOD AT THE ROOT – about Jena Six: Kenzie Ross, Allison Scarlet Jaye, and Stori Ayers were excited to walk away with their VIP MISS JESSIE’s bags as well:https://www.facebook.com/BloodAtTheRoot. 

* BLACK ENTERPRISE magazine with MISS JESSIE'S Co-Founder & CEO Miko Branch on the cover

* JOSEPH RILEY LAND GOURMET PANTRY (raffle for three amazing gift baskets – two at $75 each and one at $125 value): https://www.facebook.com/rileylandgourmetpantry/?fref=ts

* BILLIE'S BLACK ARTIST-IN-RESIDENCE - presented by ALL STAR KARAOKE (December 2015 - extended through February 2016): Contemporary Artist Shenna Vaughn had ART for sell (SHENNA: "I Create Soulful Funk On Canvas to Create A Mind Blowing Experience"): http://www.shennavaughn.com/

* ANOTHER featured sponsor that we introduced during SEASON 4 of ALL STAR KARAOKE: SHOO NAIL POLISH - via its Founder and CEO Shawanda Vickers who donated 20 gift bags and TESTIFIED how her partnership in SEASON 4 (Fall 2015) led her to being covered in BLACK ENTERPRISE (Look out for it!). 

* TICKET GIVEAWAYS for BROADWAY/OFF-BROADWAY SHOWS:
Walk Tall Girl Productions – a pair of comps for TURN ME LOOSE: http://turnmelooseplay.com/
Walker International Communications Group, Inc – a pair of comps for BLOOD AT THE ROOT: https://www.facebook.com/BloodAtTheRoot and a SNEAK PEEK from the cast. 

* HARLEM SKIN & LASER CLINIC GIFT CARD - $175 (for raffle)

THANKS TO ALL! See you later, Billie’s Black! AND look for the return of BILLIE’S BLACK presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley in the FALL; however, we’ll be announcing some spot ALL STAR KARAOKE dates soon!
ALLSTARKARAOKE#MOTOWNMAY#StockYourPantry#missjessiesbookLegacy_of#TitiBranch#RileyLandGourmetPantry #BlackEnterprise#ShennaVaughn #ShooNailPolish#WalkTallGirlProductions #WICG#ShawandaVickers #SevenBrown #HarlemSkinCare#HarlemSkinAndLaserCare

MISS JESSIE’S has been on the road, hear?

1. MIKO'S BOOK "Miss Jessie's - Creating a Successful Business from Scratch...NATURALLY" is going to be released in paper back April 2017.

2. MISS JESSIE's is also in a promo window around a new product: MULTICULTURAL CURLS.

3. Miko Keynoted the MOREHOUSE INNOVATION EXPO 2016: http://www.morehouseinnovates.com: A Conversation about the Mindset of an Entrepreneur.

4. WHILE IN ATLANTA, SOME SPOT MEDIA:

REBEL LIFESTYLE w/Drea Nicole

ROLLING OUT in-studio interview

CBS RADIO interview in-studio interview

5. A PULSEBEAT.TV DETROIT EXCLUSIVE - interviewed by Pulsebeat.TV's award-winning multimedia journalist Greg Dunmore inside the franchise PULSEBEAT.TV "Greg Dunmore's Hot Happenings!!!" on WMYD TV20 Detroit… As it’s been airing in MOTOWN and surrounding areas since Sunday, indicators are that “MISS JESSIE’S IS A HIT”! Check it out here: http://pulsebeat.tv/?p=2201.

 6.  USA Today feature coming up in a few weeks…. Stay tuned!

 7.  Emmy-award-winning Berlinda Garnett, Producer at FOX 29 Philadelphia invited Miko to be a guest on Good Day Philadelphia: http://www.fox29.com/good-day. Hosts Alex Holley and Mike Jerrick conducted a GREAT INTERVIEW! AND DR. OZ WAS IN THE HOUSE! EXCITING!  http://www.fox29.com/Live.

8.  Philadelphia Sunday Sun also did an interview with Miko that day, care of Philly-based writer and President-Elect of PBPRS Monica Peters.

Oprah Where Are They Now?

I am still being heavily dispatched for recurring client OWN's "Oprah, Where Are They Now?" - including interviews that have already run this season:

 a. Carol's Daughter (Lisa Price):

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/founder-carols-daughter-overcoming-social-media-backlash

b. The Chew's Carla Hall:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/surprising-way-chef-carla-hall-found-passion

c. Coming up this Saturday, April 2nd: Nancy Grace:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/moment-nancy-grace-will-never-forget-o-j-simpson-trial

d. My Audra McDonald just aired:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pE5EgP-a6Kc

e. My Iman airs this upcoming Saturday:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/iman-reveals-secrets-lasting-marriage-late-david-bowie

and

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/iman-says-quit-fashion-d-listers-like-paris-hilton

f. ...AND Honey Boo Boo/Mama June are coming up April 30th:

http://www.wherearetheynow.buzz/peek-inside-mama-june-refrigerator

Street Talk

I'm also being retained this season by WENDY WILLIAMS in partnership with MetroPCS to produce the show's monthly, sponsored franchise: STREET TALK:

a. APRIL edition: https://youtu.be/2uuFdiQ_Mk0

b. MARCH edition: https://youtu.be/ETRlN_0FrU8

c. VALENTINE'S edition: https://youtu.be/j807PlmE9VU

d. JANUARY edition: https://youtu.be/vqobPt_ecNo

e. Our HOLIDAY EDITION from mid-December 2015: https://youtu.be/EGI3agscKDA

f.  Thanksgiving 2015: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uwBc_wEzTE

g. WENDY/KMART: https://youtu.be/NJJcSZ7xJTw   #‎ShoppingIsFunAgain 

Let me know if you want to do one. Email me at patarack@hotmail.com and patarack_riley@yahoo.com

REST IN PRINCE

 If ALL STAR KARAOKE was up, we'd be doing a PRINCE night! I've LOVED Prince since he came out in the late '70s. He was an enrolling mystery of gargantuan talent that I followed closely from his launch to and through CONTROVERSY, 1999, the iconic PURPLE RAIN, Vanity, Apollonia, Sheila E, Sheena Easton's SUGAR WALLS...and each and every live show I saw from 1982 to - most recently - his August 2016 walk onto the stage at Paisley Park to greet all of the National Association of Black Journalists Conventioneers who loaded a dozen or so busses to hang out at Paisley Park and - if chosen - maybe we could touch the hem of his garment. I didn't get that close, but did indeed bask in being inside - all up and through - PAISLEY PARK. One show I'll always remember: December 19, 2010. Madison Square Garden. Sold Out! Ant & I were honored to be in the number that was sent a pair of comp tix from Prince's go-to publicist Yvette Noel-Schure. Ant delayed his flight to Denver for Christmas – giving us one more date night before we respectively parted ways to see our families. Like always, PRINCE was on FIRE! And performed just about EVERYTHING! WHAT A GIFT! THAT NIGHT! FOR MOST OF MY LIFE! FOREVER! "GLAD THAT YOU ARE FREE", PRINCE!

MISS ROSS

The iconic Diana Ross headlines during Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage kickoff concert! One ICON LOST but HEALING that the MINISTER OF LOVE, MISS ROSS, could SERENADE the mourning crowd with her REPERTOIRE of JOY AND L'AMOUR! And SO MANY WERE THERE to WITNESS IT ALL - from Rev. Al Sharpton to Sherri Shepherd to Robert Townsend adn a boat-load more! #DianaRoss #FantasticVoyage16#TomJoynerCruise 

#PartyWithAPurpose #cruise#Miami #concert #BonVoyage

I was too excited to introduce MIKO BRANCH to Elise Durham at last year's NABJ Convention. With that has come some wonderful synergies at‪ #‎MOREHOUSECOLLEGE‬ and now ‪#‎FAMU‬! FOR 2016 WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH, Florida A&M University has invited my fab client, CEO & CO-FOUNDER of Miss Jessie's Miko Branch, to participate in the second annual ‪#‎SacredSelf‬ – a celebration of remarkable women from the community and beyond:http://youtu.be/R0GuUCl9nss. And what a wonderful event it was.This empowering day WAS full of professional and personal development opportunities at Florida A&M University Department of Music's Foster Tanner Art Building:www.FAMU.EDU/WomensHistoryMonth. Special shout out to FAMU’s own Elise Durham (for the invite)! None of this would have been possible without her. And Dean Ann Wead Kimbrough, my personal/NABJ/FAMU fam for the LOVE she showed MIKO while she was there! Miko had a WONDERFUL TIME!

I am doing some Brand Ambassador work for Miss Jessie's and ‪#‎MikoBranch‬. She was in Houston this past weekend headlining the ‪#‎Metamorphosis‬Empowerment Conference. Shout out to my NABJ and SAVANNAH fam who showed Miko such LOVE while she was there! Special shout out to Savannah homegirl Barbara Jackson Hudson Esq who hosted Miko at an awesome operation she co-owns Urban Houston Network. Miko did “The Antoinette Roberson Show”. FOX 26’s Melinda Spaulding also did an interview with Miko at the station. The WASH ALLEN SHOW also had Miko on. And THANKS to so many of you who were in the cut with support – including NABJ sister friends Lyndsay Christian and Cindy George; Savannah/Spelman big sister Venice Hunter Richardson, Houston Chronicle Beauty Editor Joy Sewing; etc. MIKO is MAKING MORE THAN CURLS: WAVES! As a Morehouse man myself, I am too thrilled to announce that my alma mater, a Historically Black College, has invited Miss Jessie's CEO & Co-Founder Miko Branch to participate in its Morehouse Innovation Expo for 2016: http://www.morehouseinnovates.com/This news comes in the wake of Miss Jessie's donating product to Morehouse and Spelman for Homecoming 2015. Appearances the like are fueling much of Miko's next chapter for her life and the brand of Miss Jessie's. Miko is still promoting her 2015 Best Seller "Miss Jessie's - Creating a Successful Business from Scratch...NATURALLY". MIAMI is on her map for later in the season as well! MISS JESSIE’s is also the official sponsor of Billie’s Black presents ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley. Stay tuned for spring/summer dates…. XOXOXOXO ‪#‎miss_jessies‬‪#‎missjessies‬ ‪#‎titibranch‬ ‪#‎billiesblack‬

#allstarkaraoke‪#‎missjessiesFAMU  ‪#‎missjessiesMOREHOUSE

‬‪#‎missjessiesSACREDSELF‬ ‪#‎TellItOnTuesday ‬‪#‎FAMUSacredSelf‬

 ... and TALK ABOUT A BURIED LEAD:

THIS JUST IN: Her Black Enterprise COVER STORY! She will join a panel of other black-owned hair and beauty business owners to discuss“Making Big Bucks in Specialized Markets,” at the

http://www.blackenterprise.com/events/entrepreneurs-summit/. 

"You don’t need money to transform an industry. You don’t even need privileges or degrees. Titi and I didn’t have MBAs and we didn’t get bank loans or find angel investors. We had a seed of an idea and a solid foundation of family and influences to learn from and observe. If we could do it, you can do it too.” - Miko Branch

I am honored and humbled to cover the March issue of Black Enterprise Magazine. My sister Titi Branch and I always admired the Black Enterprise family business that shined a light on other African-American businesses. I am truly honored and I say thank you to Earl Graves and the entire Black Enterprise group. 

To our customers, I say thank you as well. The loyalty and support you have given us has been tremendous and without you, we could not have realized so many of our dreams. 

I could not have achieved the level of success that I have without Titi’s love, tutelage and support. Titi, our business will be my tribute to your memory, and I will live to make you proud. 

I am Titi Branch and together we are Miss Jessie’s. 


Love,
Miko & Miss Jessie's
Hands Down, the Proven Expert in Curls. Period! 

AND ONE MORE THING: Our beloved @MikoBranch on Career and Family. Watch the full clip here: https://t.co/4KkzBPoylR https://t.co/hig2oIVtqB

DOT

SHOUT OUT to my friend Colman Domingo on his "'DOT' called "UPROARIOUSLY FUNNY! DEEPLY MOVING!", by the NY TIMES! Anthony Harper and I surely enjoyed and DailyCommune's Derrick Hemphill did a slamming review:http://dailycommune.com/domingo/ - Spread the Word! The show has received wonderful reviews and has been extended until March 24th. You can purchase tickets for only $59 by using Special Offer code - DOTWC. SEE DOT! USE SPECIAL OFFER CODE - DOTWC for $59 Tickets. Call 212-353-0303 or visit www.VineyardTheatre.org and put in the code. Ant and I love it! Colman Domingo,CHERINE ANDERSON, Richard E Pelzer II! THANKS FOR HAVING US OUT!

 morehouse college glee club this SUNDAY in NYC

PRESENTED BY MISS JESSIE'S: Tessa Thompson ON OSCARS - A DailyCommune/LIFE OF RILEY SPECIAL!! Was great to re-acquaint with Tessa to whom Anika Noni Rose​ introduced me the opening night of Tyler Perry's’s For Colored Girls​. Knowing I’d be interviewing her, LIFE OF RILEY partner, CEO and Co-Founder of Miss Jessie's​, Miko Branch, sent over a VIP bag for Tessa to enjoy – including FULL-SIZED PRODUCT and her book Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch-Naturally (Amistad; Hardcover; $24.99). Tessa told me she LOVES MISS JESSIE’S: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley/videos/10153491349763737/?l=3404659370660713019! AND IN TURN, she shared her thoughts on Diversity in Hollywood; the Oscar Black-out; and the upcoming NAACP Image Awards​ for which she is a nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture - Creed. Check it out: The 47th NAACP IMAGE AWARDS LIVE! FRIDAY FEB 5TH on TV ONE Red Carpet 8/7C Image Awards 9/8C. AND BEFORE WE TUNE INTO THAT, look for more information from Tessa and the rest of her cast members in SMART PEOPLE at Second Stage Theatre​! All my LIFE OF RILEY fam knows when I can pour some THEATER tea for you, I do: https://youtu.be/LrdnbMgJn9s. MOREOVER, you ALL know that I am Mr. Kenny Leon’s #1 fan – from my days as a Man of Morehouse who got the chance to work under his expertise in his alma mater Clark Atlanta University’s Coronation for which he was Visiting Guest Alum Director in 1992 to the years of enjoying Atlanta’s Alliance and True Colors Productions under his helm (and promoting them accordingly as I started my career at Fox 5’s “Good Day Atlanta”) to these last twenty years that I’ve been in New York City and a front row to his many Broadway offerings – including his Tony-award-winning turn as Director of the most recent Raisin in the Sun Revival and the tour de force that was The Wiz LIVE! for which I got to interview this NBC event’s Dorothy, Shanice Williams for recurring client NBCBLK: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/shanice-williams-tonights-wiz-live-debut-n471616! My primary question for her? “What was it like to work with Kenny Leon?” AND LIFE OF RILEY and DAILY COMMUNE just got a NEW INVITATION to ask that same question of SMART PEOPLE playwright Lydia R. Diamond (whose last Broadway collaboration with Kenny Leon, “Stick Fly”, would provide me opportunities to do talk-backs on its Broadway stage: https://youtu.be/LrdnbMgJn9s). Same question for the impressive SMART PEOPLE cast – known for their work across all formats: starting with Tessa and continuing on with her fellow cast-mates Mahershala Ali (“House of Cards”); Joshua Jackson; and Anne Son. WELL, SMART PEOPLE’s OFFICIAL OPENING is February 11, 2016…and set on the eve of Obama’s first election, it captures the sentiments of a nation through the complex and not always harmonious lens of a group of four Harvard intellectuals. Though you may cry, you will also have many moments of LAUGHTER! INCLUDING PREVIEWS, it runs January 26 through March 6th. I’M THINKING FROM OUR MEET AND GREET…AND WHAT WE’RE TOLD THE NARRATIVE ENTAILS, THAT THIS IS A MUST-SEE! Who will join me and catch a performance?? CALL IN FOR TICKETS at 212.246.4422 or hit up www.2ST.com  for TICKETS and MORE INFORMATION. COME ON, SMART PEOPLE! As always, THANKS to each and everyone of you for tuning into LIFE OF RILEY. SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to: Fox Entertainment Reporter Simone Boyce, a fellow journalist whose work I’ve been admiring since she hit the airwaves. Great to meet her and invite her out to our return to Billie’s Black for Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley in the SPRING 2016 (Dates TBD). AWESOME LUNCH-TIME MOMENT! #missjessies #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #Oscarssowhite #BlackOscars #Oscars #Academy #iammissjessies #titibranch #SELMA #shondaland #shondarimes #naacp #imageawards #diversity #smartpeople #tessathompson

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