A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

PLEASE WATCH & SHARE: https://youtu.be/RRv-A-f4zWg Hi folks! I’d mentioned that as my recurring clients prepare for summer breaks (i.e. “Oprah Where Are They Now?” at OWN-TV and “The Wendy Williams Show” [MetroPCS Street Talk]), another recurring client has booked me to host a 3^rd season of digital programming for www.advocate.com. The first installment of it has rolled out this week. It’s The Advocate Collaborators, presented by Wells Fargo. We paired two gay families: one preparing to adopt a baby, and the other having already successfully adopted a baby. And as your host, I guide the conversation about such topics as what to expect, advice, lessons learned, the significance of the event and its financial impact.

SHOUT OUT to WELLS FARGO and THE ADVOCATE.com --- and the agency AD HERE MEDIA --- for continuing to book me on-camera:  http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute.  

Here are some individual episodes:                                 

MONEY MINUTE WORKING SESSIONS:

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/9/24/introducingthe-advocate-money-minute-working-sessions

PLANNING FOR RETIREMENT:

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/9/24/planning-retirement-jason-shane

PAYING STUDENT LOANS: 

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/23/paying-student-loans-matt-rick 

SAVING COLLEGE TUITION:

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/07/saving-college-tuition-hayley-erica

PLANNING ADOPTION:

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/15/planning-adoption-matt-rick

PURCHASING A HOME:

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/9/24/purchasing-home-jason-shane

PURCHASING A SECOND HOME:

http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/13/purchasing-second-home-hayley-erica

FEDERAL VS. STATE:

http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/16/federal-vs-state

HOME LENDING:

http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/12/12/home-lending

RETIREMENT:

http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/11/13/retirement

MONEY MINUTE PROMO - SEASON 1:

http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing%E2%80%A6-new-advocate-money-minute

Shout out to the crew on “The Advocate Collaborators, presented by Wells Fargo”

Production Company: Garnish Media

Producer: Elizabeth Gardner Potter

Director: Saro Varjabedian

Editor: Matt Maltese

http://www.garnishmedia.com/

#theadvocate #theadvocatecollaborators #wellsfargo #adheremedia #garnishmedia #moneyminute #lgbt

BIRTHDAY BRUNCH

ONE AFTERNOON ONLY! An ALL STAR KARAOKE at MIST Harlem! SPREAD THE WORD AND SAVE THE DATE! LINK: www.eventbrite.com/e/mist-harlem-presents-all-star-karaoke-and-brunch-with-patrick-riley-tickets-19319414890. WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING Y'ALL IN THE HOUSE for our MIST special and ONE of my bday fetes (of course, we'll also celebrate at Billie's Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley the prior Tuesday 11/17 and you don't want to miss that one as some famous friends may pop by. Make your reservations at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul. The bday itself is 11/19! WHEW! LOL! AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

JOSH POWELL

Two-time NBA Champ Josh Powell (most recently an assistant coach for the Houston Rockets) was in town shooting VH1s Black Ink. He wanted to stop by All Star Karaoke tonight… and did! He even sang The Boss with me! Lol! #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #joshpowell

https://www.facebook.com/JoshPowell21/?fref=ts

http://www.josh21powell.com/

@jp21reasons

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_Powell

I TOLD YOU WE NEVER KNOW WHO WILL POP BY! Please come join us! We have 8 MORE TUESDAYS through the end of the year! Reservations are highly recommended: 212 280 2248: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/. Miss Jessie's is back among our sponsors! And as #missjessies CEO and CO-FOUNDER MIKO BRANCH did last season in promotion of her book Miss Jessie's: Creating a Successful Business from Scratch-Naturally (Amistad; Hardcover; $24.99): https://invalid.invalid/RL-EqYvCAeI, we hope you will come SING your FAVORITES with us, ENJOY cocktail specials and tasty soul food, and NETWORK with a ROOM FULL of FABULOUS FOLKS! SEASON 4 is - in part - POWERED by ALL STAR KARAOKE PLATINUM PATRON Mr. Reginald Van Lee…and more and more partners are coming through – including Kehinde Wiley documentary Executive Producer Lamar Johnson and new spirits sponsor William Wolf: http://thinklikeawolf.com/. Special shout out to Koran Thomas. WE THANK THEM and all of you who continue to be such a support! And Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry via Joseph Riley Land is back IN THE HOUSE - literally as the critically-acclaimed pantry has taken up semi-permanent space in the back of Billie’s Black. Gift certificates to purchase #rileyland products will be raffled. Plus, look for Riley/Land inside our ALL STAR KARAOKE signature cocktails (Riley/Land-curated mixers that will also be in stock for sale. Stay tuned!). Would LOVE TO SEE YOU some Tuesday - really soon! Let us know if you want to use ALL STAR KARAOKE as a back-drop to promote or present any of your projects inside an intimate but power-filled room of taste-makers and top talent! PLEASE TELL YOUR PEEPS...and SHARE!#BILLIESBLACK#ALLSTARKARAOKE#MOTOWNMAY #StockYourPantry #HarlemEats #missjessiesbook #iammissjessies #Legacy of #TitiBranch  #williamwolf  #thinklikeawolf #21REASONS #JP21REASONS

MONEY MINUTE FINALE

What a JOY it has been to host the WELLS FARGO PRESENTS THE ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE – a six-part video series in which Wells Fargo Financial Experts provide financial wellness tips through the LGBTQ lens. In our last episode of the season, Matt & Rick learn how to effectively pay off student loan debt while saving for other investments: http://www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute/2015/10/23/paying-student-loans-matt-rick. Shout out to all of you for your support. See the whole season and last season (which I also co-hosted) here:  www.advocate.com/advocate-money-minute. #WELLSFARGO #MONEYMINUTE #ADVOCATE

HAPPY HARLEM-WEEN!

CALL ME RASTA RILEY aka The Grinch that SHUT HALLOWEEN DOWN! LOL! CALL Anthony Harper #lusciouslyons from #empire. And LOOK WHO'S IN TOWN FOR #HALLOWEEN2015 Onlyone Camille, our BELOVED!!!! And Melody Vaughn - from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams HOSTED US WELL! HAPPY HARLEM-WEEN! XOXOXO

CIZE

Surely, you’ve all noticed my Incredible Shrinking Man: ANT! Well, now I can say that he’s featured in the ‪#‎CIZE infomercial which chronicles the story of he and the many who participated with the great Shaun T to transform and start their journey to a new WAY! Ant is currently 70 pounds down… and counting! He THANKS ALL OF YOU for your  motivation and support! I'M SO PROUD OF ANT! LOVE YOU, BABE! #CIZEOPPORTUNITY

Where are my up and coming funny people? Do you do improv? Are you starting to do stand-up? Do you LOVE POP CULTURE! If you do...and want an unpaid, but high-visibility, opportunity to be on TV, I'd just need 20 minutes or less of your time on the couple of days a month through July that I'll be shooting. For more info, please email me...and I can tell you more...: patarack@hotmail.com. THANKS FOLKS!

alyson williams

Tuesday 5 inside the Fall 2014 Series of Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley felt like a continuation of my birthday fete last week - especially when my friend - the legendary Alyson Williams surprised me! The awesome diva of jazz & r&b was making good on a promise she made to me a few weeks ago that she would come by and bless our stage (as she did a few years ago our inaugural All Star Karaoke at now-closed Native). And let me tell you: she SANG her face off: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10205391950740804&set=vb.1310382033&type=2&theater. And what a way to kick off THANKSGIVING (and Lady Phyll's birthday dinner) as our packed house was largely comprised of our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS for whom I am MOST GRATEFUL this season and year. Also, GARGANTUAN THANKS to our sponsors Riley Land Gourmet Pantry - on board with us since the beginning, and our Fall 2014 Series title sponsor at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul: Miss Jessie's. And a special shout out to artist Vanessa Bonaparte Design (https://www.facebook.com/vanessabonapartedesign). Her collection of Harlem-inspired platters is on display at Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant. Via raffle, she generously donated a beautiful, framed print of her work "Church Lady". All of our sponsors provided great giveaways for all in attendance plus special take-aways for select participants - inspiring quality Holiday gifting ideas at a reasonable price point. Please support them all where applicable. And SPECIAL THANKS to friend, TheGrio and msnbc's own Chris Witherspoon for coming by to support our night during which we sought his assistance to help present our prizes. Thanks Chris! #Ferguson remained on our song selection - from theater great - most recently from Billy Porter's WHILE I YET LIVE - Larry Powell's "What's Going On?" to my first-time stab at "Stand Up For Love" by Destiny's Child: https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152624319488737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater. With shaking heads, we still called joy forth - excited to hear news that we're still able to win dancing contests: Congrats to Alfonso Ribeiro who had BETTER won Dancing with the Stars this season. He did. Meanwhile, there's #Ferguson. I thought Selma Movie #selmafilm - was a period piece and the overcoming was well over this ilk of scene in the movie of Black people and justice. Thanks to Ava DuVernay for letting us know this is not new and the work continues on some strong shoulders and tired feet. #smh Please be safe out there and take care of each other. Hold your families close. In this healing time for humanity, remember to laugh, count those blessings, and connect to your loved ones with light and kindness. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody! And we'll be back next Tuesday at 7p for "Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley" - and every Tuesday through December 2014. As always, THANKS TO MY TEAM: Derrick Hemphill, Bernice Wooden, my partner Anthony Harper, Michael K. Watts, EPHRIAM, GENEVA, Husain Mello Deas Williams, our #motownmay Motown the Musical winner; and more! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay

count

Hi folks! I’m the host for THE ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE – episodes of which run on-line. A little over 5 minutes into this clip, see my PROMO for NEXT WEEK’S SHOW: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/11/26/small-business MEANWHILE, as my archive for MONEY MINUTE goes, here’s the promo for the season: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing-new-advocate-money-minute and here’s the first show on CONVERSATIONS: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/16/federal-vs-state and another episode on RETIREMENT: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/11/13/retirement. ALSO: LOOK FOR ME ON Arise Entertainment 360 in the coming days - for guest co-hosting and another of my signature Broadway segments. AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #OUT100 #moneyminute #wellsfargo #advocate #thenewadvocatemoneyminute #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack #ARISE360 #CENTRICTV

family

Shout out to my dear friends Nikita Stewart and Brian Henderson for inviting Anthony Harper and me to Thanksgiving Dinner – including the chance for me to hang with Nikita’s daughter, singer/songwriter Ella… and to meet (and clown around) with Brian’s amazing kids. We had a BLAST – eating, drinking, and laughing as we enjoyed a YOUTUBE party. Once my ITIS kicked in (after the delicious meal), I fell asleep on the couch…and the FUN REALLY BEGAN! LOL! HAPPY THANKSGIVING, EVERYONE! XOXOXOXOXO

fellowship

I always say Darius Booker is one of my FAVORITE SINGERS… and it’s true! (EXHIBIT A: http://youtu.be/q2Hn3y22FSk plus he’s a PRO who collaborates vocally LIVE with many of our R&B greats – including Tevin Campbell and Syleena Johnson. And whenever he can get us in, he blesses Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley). But what I didn’t know is he can prepare an entire THANKSGIVING MEAL on the Saturday after the holiday for many of his fellow singers (and Ant and me). And he’s now left me – on this Sunday – saying Darius Booker is one of my FAVORITE CHEFS! THANK YOU, DARIUS! XOXOXOXOXOXO #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke

love

12.1.05 - Anthony Harper and Patrick L. Riley. 9 years.... #endlesslove

friends

Interviewed Sesame Street's Bert and Ernie today to find out how to get there. Will tell you more about when you can see MY NEW BFFs - just before Christmas! STAY TUNED! XOXOXOXO

retirement

I wish! But on the new episode of Wells Fargo PRESENTS THE NEW ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE, I learn about it:

http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/11/13/retirement #moneyminute #wellsfargo #advocate #thenewadvocatemoneyminute

birthday

MORE FUN on NIGHT THREE of our FALL 2014 SERIES of Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley. Miss Jessie's and our weekly partner Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry gave away lots of goodies. OUR ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULS did their thing - including friend of our special Tuesday night, Mica Hughes - co-star of BRAVO's Blood, Sweat & Heels; Darius Booker; and many more. Plus, some newbies came into the mix – including a client of friend CJ, the amazing Matthew Gagnon. ALSO, dear friend and Wendy Williams' makeup artist Merrell Hollis from MAKEUP by MERRELL was in the house and a host of our FAVS! NEXT TUESDAY, November 18, 2014, we celebrate MY BIRTHDAY! PLEASE COME OUT AND SERENADE ME! We're at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul every Tuesday - from 7p-10p! As always, THANKS for your support! WE LOVE Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! THANKS to my team: Bernice Wooden and Derrick Hemphill! XO #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #meoclock #amor #luxecolore #globalchic #bravotv #bloodsweatheels

SOME FUN CLIPS:

http://bit.ly/darius_lor

http://bit.ly/atmin_lor

http://bit.ly/cbone_lor

http://bit.ly/jrl_lor

giving

THX & GIVING, a GMHC fundraiser - for meals, nutrition, and food pantry programs + stumbled into NABJ mentor Sheila Stainback! - https://www.facebook.com/GMHC446 

art

Supporting our beloved Turquoise Young, Esq.'s new venture - representing fine artists. It was her first art show at the Hamilton Landmark Gallery- Harlem. The Ayeyoarts Preview Show features work from three emerging artists, Yonas Shiferaw, Paul Chinnery and Richard J Carroll Jr Through painting and photography, the Ayeyoarts Preview Show offered a commentary on the Black experience in America from the distinct perspectives of the artists. Turquoise has been exploring new areas outside the law which includes artist management. This is one of the first events that she planned on behalf of her growing clientele. Check out www.ayeyoarts.weebly.com for updates to her events page. CONGRATS, TURQUOISE! #ayeyoarts #hamiltonlandmarkgalleries

baby

Lola Ogunnaike's baby shower at Bar Americano! BFF Nichole even came up from DC to attend as she books for ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 where Lola and Shannon Lanier are co-hosts with the most. CONGRATS to my sometimes-work-wife when I guest co-host alongside her at ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360. I’m going on next week to talk Broadway. Stunning mom-to-be! XO #arise360

AmeriCAN

While out in Los Angeles a few weeks ago - Exec Producing a project that I just wrapped (but that I'll be able to tell you more about when it's up and running in 2015-16), I got to hang out with my buddy Nate Parker one evening during which he shared a rough cut - from his smart phone - of a passion project that is now out! - http://youtu.be/5HtCfm7SKbU - #AmeriCAN is a short film and public service announcement that comes in response to events that have divided the country over racial lines. With the influx of violence against black males in America over the past few years, the piece strives to offer a unique perspective in examining the value of lives of the country’s citizens. The intention of the message, “all lives matter,” is to pull people together from both sides of the disparity and inspire the kind of empathy and mutual understanding necessary to promote meaningful discourse and domestic reconciliation. The goal is to bring all people together, without exception to race, religion, gender or age, and send the message that all blood flows red.

#AllLivesMatter

Nate Parker – Director/Writer.

James Lopez – Producer/Story By.

Kay Madsen – Director of Photography.

Valerie Bleth Sharp – Producer.

Mo McRae – Producer/Actor.

Hernany Perla – Producer.

Featuring La La Anthony, Andre Royo, Affion Crockett, Brian White, Omar Benson Miller and David Franzoni

Song by J.Cole – Be Free

And don't forget to check him out in BEYOND THE LIGHTS! #beyondthelights

Miss Jessie’s ROCKS

Night TWO of our FALL 2014 SERIES of Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley brought out a packed room of FUN!!! Miss Jessie's CEO Miko Branch and her business colleague Reeves surprised me with giveaways for our ALL STAR KARAOKE FAITHFULs: http://youtu.be/R0kuxp8bGgY. And as usual, our weekly partner Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry – compliments of Joseph Riley Land, donated an awesome giveaway – a $25.00 gift certificate for its wonderful products. PLUS, a special shout out to Luxe Colore - as in Luxe Colore Hosts Soulful Thursdays at Billies Black Harlem - for its raffle: an awesome watch by Amor Watch by Me'Oclock! The singing came from some amazing ALL STARS - including recurring friend of our special Tuesday night, Mica Hughes - co-star of BRAVO's Blood, Sweat & Heels - who assured us she's uninjured AND inspired inside the upcoming, sophomore season of the show - premiering in January 2015; Darius Booker - straight from Malaysia, singing background for Tevin CampbellHe's also in Syleena Johnson (Official)'s crew); B.b. Thomaz - BB Thomaz on IG, FB - rising star from Germany who sings on par with Mariah and Whitney at their best; dear friend and Wendy Williams' makeup artist Merrell Hollis from MAKEUP by MERRELL (who brought folks - like my Morehouse brother Rory - to sing...and beautifully so! THANKS Merrell Hollis); #motownmay Grand Finale winner Husain Mello Deas Williams who always turns it out; and a host more - including my nephew Herman Lee Riley III; Morehouse College brother Mario Ephriam who is launching his own Harlem affair on Thursdays at NABE on 127th and Frederick Douglass: 6p-11p; and our crooner with the most, Brandon Bain. We're at Billie's Black Gourmet Soul every Tuesday - from 7p-10p! As always, THANKS for your support! WE LOVE Billie's Black Bar Lounge & Restaurant! THANKS to my team: Bernice Wooden and Derrick Hemphill! XO #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #meoclock #amor #luxecolore #globalchic #bravotv #bloodsweatheels

A FEW FUN CLIPS:

http://bit.ly/loveneverfelt_plr

http://bit.ly/mica_plr

http://bit.ly/missjessies_plr

While I Yet Live

Billy Porter’s “While I Yet Live” was EVERYTHING – starring Tony-award-winning Lilias White, Emmy-award-winning S. Epatha Merkerson, and our “Billie’s Black Presents All Star Karaoke” FAITHFUL Larry Powell…and so many of my favorite Broadway and TV peeps came out to celebrate its closing night – including Miss Alyson Williams: http://primarystages.org/whileiyetlive. #whileiyetlive #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

Doe Fund

Anthony Harper, Carl Nelson, and I were guests of Doe Fund 2014 Gala Board-member Andre Robert Lee at Cipriani 42nd: www.doe.org. That’s where we met Miss Jessie's Co-CEO Miko Branch and a host of fabulous people – primary among them: “the men in blue” whose testimonials were riveting and well-worth the half million dollars raised (in 10 minutes! WOW!). There’s still more to be done. Click here for more information: www.doe.org. Great cause!

NABE

After the benefit, we joined my Morehouse brethren Mario Ephraim for the soft launch of a cocktail hour he hopes to host every Thursday at NABE, Harlem's newest cozy lounge. Cute after set! I’m gonna pop by tonight! #doefund2014gala #doefund #missjessies

MONEY MINUTE

1. Here’s the promo: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing%E2%80%A6-new-advocate-money-minute 

2. This, after being tapped to share my IT GETS BETTER testimonial for the OUT 100: http://www.advocate.com/youth/no-more-bullying/2014/01/24/healing-one-truth-time

3. My first episode is here: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/16/federal-vs-state.

4. And my tease for my next episode comes in at 4:17 on this link:http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/30/federal-vs-state

AND PLEASE COME JOIN US EVERY TUESDAY THROUGH DECEMBER FOR "BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY"! We are having a BLAST!