A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Since last I posted, SO MUCH HAS GONE DOWN – from DIVAS to DADDY!

Let’s go!

ARISE 360

http://youtu.be/DYghWCBasyo Motown the Musical,Monifah Carter, and the LIFE OF RILEY have been crossing paths a lot lately - in recent weeks at: Billie's Black Gourmet Soul for Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH Patrick L. Riley. http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/2/something-to-talk-about.html. A few weeks after that at Monifah Carter's R&B Divas: Atlanta PREMIEREPARTY in Harlem at The Corner Social: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html. AND THIS WEEK at my home away from home when it comes to on-camera pop culture analysis: Arise Entertainment 360 with my friends Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier - both of whom I want to congratulate as CentricTV will be syndicatingArise360 in the Fall (an announcement made recently at the Ziegfeld Theatre for the BET UPFRONT 2014 - the last project on which I worked for recurring clientBET (TV network) Creative Services). Monifahappeared on this same edition in which I analyze the Tony nominations for 2014 - including a host of surprises, celebrations, and upsets! SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to my girl Anika Noni Rose and everybody at A Raisin in the Sun (1961 film): BROADWAY. Though Denzel didn't get the nod, the show is still an AWESOME, CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED impression for The Great White Way. "ROCKY" WINS or could win! ALSO: We didn't get to mention Audra McDonald whose turn as LADY DAY may garner her a SIXTH TONY AWARD -a grand-slam record breaker, if she's victorious. Here's a link to my most recent Broadway round-up with ARISE several weeks back: http://youtu.be/AijZZeZgFkQ. We talked NEW MUST-SEE BROADWAY SHOWS! Last year, I predicted the TONY AWARDS nominations:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTd5S1wKUs0. A few weeks prior to that, I was on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 to talk BROADWAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. In the aforementioned ARISE 360 Broadway segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway's "The Trip to Bountiful". And she was!! YAY! So, they played that clip and referenced my prediction the following day: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0. I was again on ARISE recently to talk GATSBY: the book, the film(s), the blueprint on hip hop! HERE'S THE LINK:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBT9mSmfmCo. TWITTER handles for the day include: @themonifah for MONIFAH CARTER! And @thetonyawards for THE TONY AWARDS! CONGRATS to all the nominees - including "After Midnight" - currently featuring Vanessa Williams as guest vocalist. Fantasia is coming back! And Patti LaBelle;  Gladys Knight, and Natalie Cole have JUST been announced for the summer. What a line-up!And for the telecast, which will be hosted again (a fourth time) by Hugh Jackman who took a selfie of us a few months ago. Speaking of Broadway (as she starred on The Great White Way this past summer), recurring client "The Wendy Williams Show" has booked me to work on a project this week. Look for it on the show next week! Stay tuned... and as always THANKS FOR EVERYONE'S SUPPORT OF THE LIFE OF RILEY!#billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #motownmay

 

BET UPFRONT

I’m proud to have been working this past couple of months with recurring client BET! It was the BET UPFRONT 2014 for which I got the chance to work with the Creative Services team there on the video and art/design presentations. From the big screen of the Ziegfeld – home of most NYC WORLD PREMIERES, was a treat to see my work! The clients and advertisers seemed pleased! Afterwards, all gathered at The London for a post-set. Among many at BET Upfront '14, Brandy and MC Lyte were among them – ushering in BET’s upcoming programming – including: 1. 8th season return of “The Game” (all of the cast was in the house); 2. Real Husbands of Hollywood is coming back; 3. Being Mary Jane (the cast is finishing up filming the season finale now); 4. Sunday’s Best; 5. 106 & Park; 6. There will be three new scripted shows – including Diggy Simmons show “The Start Up” in which Diggy stars as a young entrepreneur. He and his crew who explore the city, love, etc. - with Teyana Taylor in tow; 7. “Gone Gospel” is a reality show hosted by Kirk Franklin. Secular artists come together for GOSPEL BOOTCAMP. The winner wins $100k; 8. A new game show, Got Game. Three men will go on dates with a woman in disguise and they have to depend on ‘their game’ and not looks to win their prize date over; 9. Three original movies will premiere: a) Let The Church Say Amen, directed by Regina King, tells the story of a preacher and his family as they face life’s challenges. b) The Hot Chocolate Nutcracker is the black version of the Nutcracker. Raven Simone will appear in the film. c) Book of Negroes is the a six part mini series, with Cuba Gooding and Louis Gossett Jr; 10. Centric’s Programming includes:

Being

According to Him and Her

Read Between the Lines

Arise 360 (the show on which I am a recurring pop culture analyst)

Single Ladies

Soul Train Awards

Centric Comedy All Stars

 

–Centric will also air The Wendy Williams Show, The Talk and the Queen Latifah Show.

–KeKe Palmer’s new talk show was also announced.

–The network announced a new BET platform (health, image, service) dedicated to the black man, called His BET.

 

R&B DIVAS

After BET Upfront, Monifah and team asked me to still stop by their premiere. Got another KeKe moment plus some Syleena time. They say they are coming back to ALL STAR KARAOKE sometime soon. We'll keep the mics hot for them! Shout out to Musa Jackson Productions LLC for putting on a FAB set at Corner Social in Harlem last night. My guys Savoy Walker and Mark A Forrest of SMEG asked me on behalf of Monifah to host their event! Because of BET UPFRONT, I couldn’t meet the hosting time. But I’m told my BFF Sidra Smith, NAACP Image Award Winning Producer did a FAB job of introducing the DIVAS! Always a pleasure to see Monifah’s wife Terez – another of my favorite DIVAS! CONGRATS, R&B DIVAS! LOVE YOU ALL! Check out the GREAT TIME I had with KEKE this week: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html. And we ADORED when our FIRST ALL STAR R&B DIVA came to our OPENING NIGHT: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/2/something-to-talk-about.html. #ENDLESSLOVE

DIVAS & AMAZING GRACE  – SERVED UP ATL-STYLE

Was n ATL for DAD's 80th BDAY! But more on that in a minute. Dad's before-BDAY festivities included performances from my brother Herman and me for our sister Janice at her "church secretary" appreciation. But LIFE OF RILEY and my dear friends are around wherever I go! So, I had to FIRST catch up with friends - Chandra, her son Gavin, Lamoh, my Audrey, DR. J's beautiful wife Dorys Madden, "R&B Divas-Atlanta"s own and ex-DESTINY's-CHILD-two-time-Grammy-winner Latavia - all at Tijuana Garage for lunch! LOVE A-T-L! XO

80-YEAR-YOUNG DADDY

 Dad turns 80! WOW! All his kids (and grandkid) were in the house at ATL's Paschal's! Plus, other fam, friends, and special surprises! LOVE MY DAD! XO

MY TRIBUTE:

For those in my world, THE LIFE OF RILEY is about pop culture and possibilities. But I would have NO LIFE were it not for this RILEY. His name is Herman. Most call him Mickey. I call him Dad. And he is all of those names and more inside a shell of character, principle, and work ethic that is unmatched by any of the luminaries and la-la-land folks with whom I get the chance to rub shoulders on the daily. Dad recently referenced that my ambitions were seen early on. I wasn't so sure he was paying attention. But then again, I do re-imagine our regular visits to the public library (remember those?) and I remember that no matter his nudgings for me to consider books on sports and boy stuff, he never stopped me from getting any of the books I actually wanted to read and soak up: celebrity bios, dance/theater arts/Broadway reference books, pop culture, and self-help. LOL! Even at 9 years old! LMAO! And though I also had daily witness to a man of traditions, morals, and mores - just what you'd expect from a Southern, gentle one, I never once felt a complex from him that strategizing and navigating myself inside the realm of pop culture and entertainment couldn't be a way in which I'd make a successful living. And so it is. Additionally, he challenged me. Asked difficult questions. Made thoughtful comparisons. All for the greater good. And his gentle and constructive brand of fatherhood makes me know that all is infinitely possible with a great mix of faith, hard work, and passion. I am who I am today because of Herman Lee Riley and I am SO PROUD to call him MY FATHER! We THANK GOD to still have him at 80 YEARS YOUNG! XO

GREENHOPE

I'm basking in the glow today of Dad's 80TH BDAY CELEBRATION this past weekend in Atlanta where ALL OF HIS KIDS were together WITH HIM for the first time in a LONG TIME...and his GRANDSON, TOO! So, he says, it made for one of his BEST BIRTHDAYS EVER! Great times notwithstanding, Ant and had to suffer through a flight delay to get back home as he and I have lots of work on cue. With little time for new projects, I couldn't resist an invitation from Robin Stone, Greenhope Services for Women Board member and my NABJ sister and birthdate-mate, to help her out on something special. A few years back, she asked me to host a fundraiser for this agency which works women involved with the criminal justice system who are struggling with substance abuse: http://www.greenhope.org/. THIS TIME, she's asked me to narrate a highlight video on all the great work the agency is doing to help women reclaim their lives, reunite with their families and rebuild their communities. On the ask, my A-TEAM in PRODUCTION stepped in to GIVE A LOT for a LITTLE to this great cause. Today, I'm at my favorite DP James Curry's place, Mindfile Multimedia, to record my VO narration for this project and to screen the bites from the interviews I did at GREENHOPE - excerpts of which will be sprinkled inside of the highlight video which unveils at the annual gala May 14th. Mindfile Multimedia and I have a mutual client in "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" for which we've collaborated on many segments - including recent shoots with Geraldo Rivera, Fran Drescher, and Mel B. But we've done tons of them as excerpted in this promo: http://www.oprah.com/own-where-are-they-now/Oprah-Where-Are-They-Now-Season-2-Preview-Video. Editor EXTRAORDINAIRE Mitch Jacobson is cutting this piece at his CATEGORY 5 STUDIOS: http://www.category5studios.com/! THANKS MITCH! He and I last worked together on WENDY WILLIAMS' MAGICAL WATCH AND WIN from Walt Disney World Resort! PIECE 1: http://youtu.be/n0nWYUq_3KQ; PIECE 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76FBGNfZ7vQ; PIECE 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNMeClGC828; PIECE 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRc0POz-C10. GREENHOPE has been around since 1979. CONGRATS to ALL!

BELLE

I'd sent out the RIPPLE a few months ago - noting that in the wake of 12 YEARS A SLAVE that FOX Searchlight had another much-buzzed-about, historical chunk of Black history and cinema on its roster: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/3/4/valid-dreams.html.  Remember it was my Harlem buddy Tracy Grant who hipped me to her brother in law's new film (He's UK producer Damian Jones of D.J Films). "BELLE" hails from Fox Searchlight Pictures the way that 12 Years a Slave did a year or so ago... and this HISTORIC TALE brings forth yet another story that chronicles the horrors of slavery and what reversals and progressions have transpired in its time. I would be remiss if I did not mention Belle's director Amma Asante http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1392994/ It opens May 2, Mothers Day. Please spread the word! #belle #12yearsaslave #foxsearchlight! Great to meet everybody tonight! And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to Fox Searchlight's own Cassandra Butcher who always makes sure I'm in the house as well - from our longstanding relationship of introducing the great cinematic fare that comes from her desk often to the National Association of Black Journalists Convention via the NABJ Arts and Entertainment Task Force which I once Chaired --- including many of John Singleton's titles and "Beast of the Southern Wild" and - just last year - '12 Years'. Cassandra! You are the BEST! BFF Carl Nelson and I attended the WORLD PREMIERE of BELLE tonight at New York City's PARIS movie house. Was great to see recently-CENTRIC-syndicated host of one of my pop-culture-analysis platforms ARISE 360, Lola Oguinnake; MSNBC's own and former host of former pop-culture-analysis platform "Don't Sleep" T.J. Holmes (who co-hosted "The View" again today); Phylicia Rashad, "A Raisin in the Sun"s Anika Noni Rose (who just did an awesome turn in Lifetime's Terrie McMillan adaptation for "Day Late Dollar Short"); Chenoa and the girls from recurring client OWN's "Love In The City"; my industry girlfriends like marketing guru Jacquie Lee; MISS Monica Bailey; pr diva Katrina Boswell; ABC 7 anchor Sandra Bookman; and a host of others. And my industry fellow fam was in the mix too - like pr maven Theo Perry; MY favorite arts and culture writer Karu Daniels; film critic with the MOST, Wilson Morales; and many more. Please charge to my head and not my heart where I may not have called your name because it was so great to see everybody, I can't remember all. #BELLEMOVIE written by Misan Sagay FUN MONDAY NIGHT! XO

 

GET READY KARAOKE

After getting the opportunity to host the opening night carpet for MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ), I'm THRILLED to announce this new partnership: MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL and BILLIE'S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley are partnering for MOTOWN MAY! Find out all the DEETS and how our night last week with KEKE went by clicking here - the latest edition of LIFE OF RILEY: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/4/23/soul-out-loud.html. BUT LAST NIGHT was "GET READY" Tuesday where we promoted MOTOWN's catalog as an option for our ALL STAR KARAOKE folks to prepare for #motownmay #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

A LITTLE EVIDENCE OF THE BLAST WE’RE HAVING:

1. PATRICK GETS READY FOR #MOTOWNMAY W/"I WANT YOU BACK"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152181242383737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

2. EPHRAIM & ERIC GET READY for #motownmay with "END OF THE ROAD"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152181275628737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

3. PATRICK GETS READY FOR #MOTOWNMAY WITH "GOT TO GIVE IT UP"

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10152181301813737&set=vb.662073736&type=3&theater

 THE REDLAND

Shout out to my ATL homeboy with whom I got the chance to really bond while I spent time in L.A. circa 2009! THANKS DEREK LAFAYETTE! He is currently consulting for The Redland, an eclectic Atlanta based hip-hop duo: think Outkast meets Macklemore and Lewis. They're an edgy, philanthropic group that promotes positivity and individuality... and I hear they are my MOREHOUSE BROTHERS! The Redland has a devout social media fan base and they have a strong presence in Atlanta - the burgeoning entertainment market. Cutting edge director Don Lee shot the "Survive' video. Don is also directing "Love Thief" in LA within the next four weeks. Veteran radio promotions executive, Issy Sanchez (Cash Money Records, etc), is currently working "Survive" at pop radio. Major labels are interested in signing the group. His team is releasing the project independently July 2014. They have distribution through eOne. The group also has a "hot new artist" article that recently ran in the highly coveted music industry magazine, Amalgamation: (please see article link) http://www.amalgamationmag.com/website/amalgamated/discovering-the-redland/ They recently performed at the up South By Southwest convention in March and killed it. They also will be performing at the Urban Network convention in May.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwB9cmIiTuE&feature=youtu.be

HERE’S THE REDLAND BIO:

Born and raised in the Redlands of Oklahoma and Louisiana respectively, Kose and Earv were naturally inspired to call the music duo they would go on to form 'The Redland.' But once their individual forms of expression crossed paths and began to meld into a dynamic sound that they considered a "state of mind" and a "voice that brings people together,” The Redland transcended the reference of simply being where they’re from to becoming an all-inclusive artistic movement. Earv and Kose, whose collective influences run the gamut from John Lennon and Bob Marley to The Fugees and OutKast (artists known for their culture-shifting musical contributions), met while matriculated at Morehouse college in Atlanta, GA. Atlanta – which they’ve also adopted as part of their origins - and the Southern Hip Hop culture that defined it became fertile ground for the two, individually, to more deeply explore their musical talents.  Then those talents collided.

Through either happenstance or fate, it was discovered while in the midst of hanging out with mutual friends that Earv had an affinity for writing and Kose was a capable vocalist and producer.  So, the pair decided to play around with creating music together.  But what began as playful experimentation turned into production of a unique and compelling sound that deserved to be taken more seriously.  

Defined as Hip Hop for practical purposes, Earv’s and Kose’s conscious lyrics and hybrid sound - which seamlessly incorporates the myriad genres they were exposed to growing up - began to take on a life of its own.  They began hearing their music played by friends and strangers and seeing it gaining momentum on social networking sites without their intervention.  That and the realization that Hip Hop as they saw it was stuck in one gear, hitting the same "I'm richer, can get drunker and can have more sex than you” note is when they began seeing their contribution to the art form as more of a responsibility than “having fun.”  Things took off from there and The Redland officially became a “Hip Hop movement born out of the soil,” representing those who desired to hear and be heard.

“We want the fans to feel they're a part of this inclusive group and they have a say in our direction and the type of music we make," they said.  "We also try to look at ourselves honestly and really get that across to our audience.  We don't let the genre define us, we define our own music and we're just ourselves.  We feel like we have something to say, something to make an impact and we feel like it's something that's needed.

The Redland’s new album, Enlightened Contagion - named so out of the understanding of how easily negative things can spread, and how “dope it would be if positivity could spread just as easily,” will be released this July on Redland Entertainment through eOne Distribution.

MOMENTUM HONORS

It is a privilege to announce that I will be honored and celebrated at the Fourth Annual Momentum Honors Gala Fundraiser for Momentum Teens for Leadership. I am holding court with an extraordinary group of people who will be honored that night. This year they are honoring 4 graduates, celebrating Momentum Education's 11th anniversary and Momentum Teens For Leadership's 4th year in existence. There will also be two other awards given - The Momentum Teens for Leadership Teen Possibility Award and The Robin Diane Lynn Lifetime Contribution Award. The honorees this year are:

 

 

 

TONY AWARDS 2013

 

Well, it’s TONY AWARDS time! ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 invited me back to join my friends, hosts Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier, and share my predictions for Sunday’s telecast as well as some of my pop culture analysis on any sweeps, snubs, etc. – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTd5S1wKUs0.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Of course, I was THRILLED for the 4 nominations “Motown: The Musical” got, but made no bones about my disappointment that it didn’t get more:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. [AND MIGHT I ADD that my friend Rhonda Ross was on the same ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 today – promoting the HEARTS OF GOLD walk for children tomorrow (www.heartsofgold.org) + she too weighed in on all things MOTOWN; her amazing career as a singer; her mom; and even a little MJ a la news of late: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bK-p7EN2vVk. She tweeted this video as we sat in the green-room awaiting makeup:https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201212518624533&set=vb.1517973929&type=2&theater].

 

 

 

 

 

 

TO BULLET THE WINS and MOMENTS of NOTE from the LIVE telecast via Radio City Music Hall:

 

 

 

* the legendary Cicely Tyson (“The Trip to Bountiful”) who won for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

 

 

 

*  Billy Porter!!!!!

 

 

He won for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (“Kinky Boots”);

 

 

 

* Patina Miller (“Pippin”), who won for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Courtney B. Vance (“Lucky Guy”), who won for Best Performance by an Actor in a featured Role in a Play. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* Of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” fame, Cyndi Lauper won for Best Original Score (music and/or lyrics) Written for the Theater for “Kinky Boots.”

 

 

 

* The Harvey Fierstein musical “Kinky Boots” won SIX, including Best Musical

 

* Stephen Schwartz’s musical “Pippin” snagged FOUR.

 

* Berry Gordy’s “Motown: The Musical” was nominated for four awards, but did not win any.

 

* Neil Patrick Harris hosted The Tony Awards and steered a cast of great appearances – including: Mike Tyson, Audra McDonald, New York Knicks center Tyson Chandler, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Angela Bassett, among others.

 

* The other nominees of color were on hand: George C. Wolfe (“Lucky Guy”), Condola Rashad (“The Trip to Bountiful”), Valisia LeKae (“Motown, The Musical”), Shalita Grant (“Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike”), Charl Brown (“Motown, The Musical”) and Keala Settle (“Hands on a Hardbody”).

 

* The casts of “Motown: The Musical,” “Bring It On,” “Pippin,” “Annie,” “Kinky Boots” and other shows also performed.

 

 

 

 

 

 Shout out to all my ARISE TV fam over there (including news: Eugenia Harvey, Lynn Pitts, Debbie Mitchell, Keyon Williams, and many more)! You’ll of course, recall I was on most recently to talk GREAT GATSBY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBT9mSmfmCo). Prior that, of course, it was BLACKS ON BROADWAY: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. And they had a little love for me because I predicted Cicely Tyson’s TONY nomination: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0.  THANKS to ASPIRE for allowing me a platform to share my intel. In addition to the FAB co-hosts, was also good to see so many of my industry buddies at this promising start-up – including Eugenia Harvey; Paula Witt (my friend who booked me); Keyon Williams (my friend who first told ARISE to book me); and one of my fellow contributors Sean Joelle Johnson, TV exec and entertainment attorney who weighed in on celebrities and their legal issues. BACKGROUND ON THE SHOW (per the producers): The show airs live online and on Sky Cable in London, Monday-Friday at 2pm. The segment lasts 8-10 minutes. These are talk segments only but there will eventually be opportunities for performances. Recent guests included Kevin Liles, Mona Scott, Taiye Sealsi, Big Daddy Kane, Dr. Ian Smith, Kid Capri, Kym Whitley, Michaela Angela Davis and more. ARISE is an African owned global network geared primarily to Africans, African-Americans and people interested in the diaspora. The network has hubs in New York, London, Johannesburg and Lagos, and the New York hub just launched on March 11. As part of the US launch, ARISE 360 airs a daily entertainment show featuring hosts Lola Ogunnaike (former NY Times & Daily News feature reporter, current MSNBC & Today Show contributor and freelance reporter) and Shannon LaNier (Black Enterprise TV). ARISE Entertainment 360 airs online in the US and airs on the Sky Cable in London (currently showing in over 35 countries across Europe). The ARISE entity also owns Arise Magazine (www.ariselive.com). Although it is a separate entity, it is under the ARISE brand.

 

 

 

 

THE WESTCHESTER CLUBMEN

 

 

My friend - incoming President of The Westchester Clubmen Nelson Boyce (and his wife - also a dear friend - Michelle Sanchez Boyce) invited Ant and me to the 54th Anniversary at the VIP Country Club in New Rochelle. Was excited to discover that one of my National Association of Black Journalists' mentors Roy Johnson is the outgoing President. The Westchester Clubmen established in 1959, is an organization of African-American men in Westchester County, N.Y., dedicated to educating, supporting and inspiring young African-American and Latino men to fulfill their dreams. This year they honored Phillana Williams - also a friend. Phillana is the single parent of three beautiful children, has worked in the music business over 20 years, is currently the Sr. VP of Marketing & Artist Development at Motown Records and she manages the Recording Artist Miguel. This year, the gala was a tribute to Motown and also there was a special soulful performance by Motown Recording Artist Stacy Barthe. Stacy was signed to Motown recently through John Legend’s label, Homeschool Records. And master poet "Mumms" was in the house with all of my favorite New Ros and Manhattan-ites...and the evening was masterfully hosted by my friend and brother David Ushery, WNBC Anchor/Host/Reporter! Wonderful, purposeful night!

 

 

 

 

LAWYERS OF COLOR

 

 

I was delighted to be hired as host of a “Lawyers of Color” HOT LIST ROLL CALL reception at esteemed law firm Sullivan & Cromwell! It is the first of what is to be an annual celebration of young attorneys excelling in the legal profession. Shout out to DC-based CEO & Publisher of “Lawyers of Color LLC” Yolanda Young for booking me (www.lawyersofcolorllc.com). She and I have been friends for a decade-plus – having actually met through one of my Chicago clients. Yolanda and I are both members of the National Association of Black Journalists. And she has always been and continues to be a truly wonderful, inspiring, and visionary friend. Lawyers of Color was initially founded as On Being A Black Lawyer but now also produces publications for current and future lawyers of South Asian American, Pacific Asian American, Hispanic, and Native American descent. LOC has been recognized by the American Bar Association, National Black Law Students Association, and National Association of Black Journalists. The company provides research, career development, and brand marketing opportunities to its clients. With a core readership of 35,000, nearly 200,000 unique blog visitors, and nearly 4,000 followers and fans, Lawyers of Color has the largest social media presence of any minority legal organization. The honorees were chosen through a two-prong process. The selection committee - comprised of the editorial staff and advisers, as well as law school fellows and interns - spent months reviewing nominations and researching bar publications and legal blogs in order to identify promising candidates. Editorial picks based on research of attorneys who had noteworthy accomplishments or were active in legal pipeline initiatives also took place.

 

 

HUMAN SPIRIT

 

 

WHAT A GREAT NIGHT! FEELS SO GOOD to honor my MOST-DESERVING girlfriend and colleague Michaela angela Davis at this year’s big HUMAN SPIRIT AWARDS.Proceeds from the event help 10,000 Brooklynites annually via Brooklyn Community Services! The beautiful, inspiring evening featured Michaela’s fellow honoree Danny Simmons and presenter/friend, BLACK GIRLS ROCK’s own Beverly Bond (a BLACK WOMAN who ROCKS and is always SO SUPPORTIVE), and more! And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT out to Chief Officer for External Relations and Advancement at Brooklyn Community Services, Sonya Shields, for inviting me to sit on the benefit committee and for seating me at a FUN table. My dinner companions for the evening included Emmy-award-winning producer (and friend) Crystal Whaley; independent recording artist Maiysha Kai; my most-impressive Georgia homeboy (and fellow industry tastemaker) Charlie Lewis; etc. Also GREAT to see my BET fam - old and new - out to support our Michaela: Senior Vice President, 360 Consumer Marketing & Brand Strategy at BET NETWORKS, Eddie Hill; producer/director/event GURU Quan Watkins; and more. And it's not a set until my friend/model/actress Chasity Saunders is in the house with a pose and poise! Great night! Congrats Michaela and Danny! I can't think of two people who demonstrate HUMAN SPIRIT (and its next REVOLUTIONARY frontier) better than you two! MUCH LOVE!!!!! TO FIND OUT MORE INFO ON BCS and/or to DONATE:http://bit.ly/ZVFgLS #humanspirit2013

 

 

LEADERS OF THE COOL

 

 

Friend Chenoa Maxwell invited us out to her NYC solo debut LEADERS OF THE COOL - a one-night pop up photo exhibit showcasing an awesome round-table of artistic, cultural muses that Chenoa holds dear.They include Chef Roble who is starting his new season on Bravo; NFL great Curtis Martin; my BFF Sidra Smith; poet Mumms; our New Ro buddies Cynthia, Elijah, Beyonce's stylist Ty; and too many to mention. Was great to run into Danny Simmons who introduced Chenoa who had a chorus of cameras chronicling her special night for a reality show pilot for OWN. CONGRATS, CHENOA!

 

 

LOVE HANGOVER 2.0

 

 

 

 

I had to rush up to Below 54 for my friend LaChanze's return engagement of LOVE HANGOVER, her tribute to the songbook and seduction of Diana Ross. New songs: "Theme from Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To?", "Remember Me", and "It's My Turn" for encore! BRILLIANT and BEAUTIFUL! Shout out to my friend, Director Kenneth Roberson, for the invite. And what a pleasure to see and hear Jerry Dixon with LaChanze again on some great Ross tunes: duet-style. His husband Mario Cantone (of "The View" and "Sex & The City" fame) was in the house.

 

 

ESCOS

 

 

Then, a quick nightcap at Escualita in support of friend Nathan Hale Williams' HOT NEW PARTY at ESCOS! Come join me for Twisted Thursdays! 301 W. 39th Street!  And can I say Nathan didn't miss a beat. It is FABULOUS!

 

 

 

 

FAMILY

 

 

Today was supposed to be a specific kind of FAM day: my nephew Herman and I decided to visit my dear Aunt Charlie Mae - my dad's oldest sister. My cousin Betty Jean was also in the house! Always GOOD to see FAM! Then, as we decided to hang in BK a bit, I ran into Savannah BFF Maurice Marable's son Myles - so GROWN UP and MATURE! And I couldn't be THIS CLOSE to my beloved Moshood without a pop-by. He, Kunle, and all my Moshood fam are celebrating 19 YEARS in the business: www.AFRIKANSPIRIT.com. Moshood pointed out to my nephew that I've been in the Moshood mix since the beginning - pointing out the picture of President Clinton and me in The White House's Roosevelt Room where I interviewed our Commander in Chief (circa January 2001: Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday observance) - in MOSHOOD. Indeed: WEAR MOSHOOD. WEAR YOURSELF! ALWAYS: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/7/7/summer-repeats-and-repasts.html.

 

 

TAMIA

 

 

TAMIA in concert at the Highline Ballroom! Shout out to Michelle Huff for the invite. She was AWESOME - SINGING FOR THE GODS!!!!!!!!! And what a sweet woman. We chatted afterwards! From there, Ern, Weldon, Ant, surprise guest: Spelman sister and childhood sister friend Latecia enjoyed catch-up time at BBQs. Then, a little karaoke.

 

 

SUNDAE SERMON

 

 

"(Sundae Sermon) It's a must-attend ritual for my household and our friends. It's an awesome chance to congregate with loved ones in a beautiful park with beautiful people --- laughing, eating, toasting, and dancing under the brilliant sky with the most amazing gumbo of musical reflections - from earth to wind to fire to Diana to Chaka to Sylvester to Stevie to MJ... and a wonderful mix of global beats that will make you exclaim - "The-Wiz"-style - "Can You Feel a Brand New Day?"".

AMEN!

 

 

 

--- Patrick L. Riley

 

 

Blogger, "A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture and possibilities"

   

Pop Culture Expert

 

 

 

 

PRESIDENT OBAMA: MY MOREHOUSE BROTHER

Scheduling wouldn’t have me down in Atlanta at my alma mater as our President of the United States became a Morehouse brother.

Still, I sure felt like I was there as so many of my brethren and friends in attendance gifted me with the best play-by-play. There or not, what a proud day in the Life of Riley… and in THE WORLD! Shout out to BFF Elise Durham, Morehouse College’s Media Relations Manager who served as the primary liaison between my alma mater and The White House in preparing for this historic undertaking! CONGRATS, ELISE! And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to mother of my Morehouse BFF Michael K. Watts: Dr. Anne Wimbush Watts, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Professor of English at Morehouse who is leaving THE HOUSE (after 43 years) for her own new chapter.  Morehouse College unveiled an oil portrait of Dr. Anne W. Watts at Baccalaureate the day prior to Commencement. CONGRATULATIONS, DR. WATTS! MUCH DESERVED!

 

 

Won't HE do it? HAPPY TO CALL MYSELF MOREHOUSE MAN, hear!? Oh! And MOREHOUSE uncle!

 

SCANDAL

 Obviously, I was well-represented there while my own MOREHOUSE mystique was showing up elsewhere in the world - including THE PHILADELPHIA SUN:  http://www.philasun.com/news/4252/38/The-OMG-Show-Scandal-has-kicked-the-political-soap-opera-up-a-notch.html Shout out to writer/reporter Denise Clay for including some of my pop culture analysis in her The Philadelphia Sunday SUN cover story on the Scandal phenomenon. It reminded me that I shared a sweet moment recently in New York City with the hit show’s star Kerry Washington whose fabulosity went out to 9.1 million viewers for its finale the other night. NABJ brethren Roland Martin is also quoted. The ratings for the season finale hit an all-time high of 9.1 million viewers.

DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON

And while – through the rain - President Obama was speaking words of service, responsibility, and daring to the Universe’s 500 or so NEW MOREHOUSE MEN, I – through the rain – was hosting the main stage (afternoon shift) at Drums Along The Hudson: a Native American Festival and Multicultural Celebration - the afternoon of which I hosted (My friend, news anchor Sandra Bookman with WABC-TV, hosted the earlier part of the day, which included honors to Deborah Harvey-Koenigsberger.

(Deborah is Founder/President of Hearts of Gold charity to which I introduced Remy Martin, a sponsor for one of her recent fundraisers: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/11/19/golden-hearts.html);

Grammy-award-wnining singer/songwriter Joanne Shenandoah (Oneida); and author Doug George (Mohawk). "The rain is for the flowers! It'll only make us GROW," I exclaimed (a la Miss Ross Central Park circa '83) to the many who braved the stormy weather to enjoy live performances on the main stage. I got to introduce some awesome acts - including Kotchenga African Dance Company; Saung Budaya Indonesian Dance Group; and Samuel Le Heananff Quartet. And our girlfriend, artist Cynthia Bergos, and Ant (as his artist name Akhenaten) displayed their art for the attendees. Ant sold one of his Egyptian-inspired pieces: "Radiant Thinker" (2013 Egyptian Pop Series: Acrylic on raw canvas 3 x 2.5) 2013 - SOLD). This transaction turned one art patron's rainy day SUNNY! Congrats Ant! Shout out to my friends Frankie Edozien, Ed Roebuck, Matt Morgan, and many others who came out to support me. But primarily we were ALL there to support the cause and the creator and producer of the 11-year-old brainchild, Carl Nelson.

Good job, Carl!

COMING UP: BROADWAY INSPIRATIONAL VOICES – Sunday, June 2nd

I have several friends who are in and/or associated with the Broadway Inspirational Voices – including Miss Kimberly Jajuan who introduced me to the dynamic group! I’m so excited they’ve given me permission to share with you word on their upcoming  concert: Sunday June 2nd at First Corinthian Baptist Church in Harlem. THAT’S RIGHT! YOU HEARD IT HEAR (from the group’s fab press release): The Grammy-Nominated Broadway Inspirational Voices “Expect the Great” June 2^nd: Creator Michael McElroy (TONY nomination, BIG RIVER) will lead The Broadway Inspirational Voices in their 3rd Annual Spring concert to create an evening of hope, joy, and inspiration.  With members representing such shows as Motown: The Musical, The Lion King, Wicked, Spiderman, The Book of Mormon, Annie, Kinky Boots, and many more, “Expect the Great” will include a wide array of inspirational repertoire, including a few original pieces by McElroy. The one-night-only concert will be held on June 2nd at 7pm st at 8pm at the First Corinthian Baptist Church, located at 1912 7th Ave at 116th St.  Tickets are priced from $10-$100 and can be purchased by visiting: www.smarttix.com. A portion of the proceeds from this concert will go to BIV’s Educational Outreach Program.  BIV members participate in these outreach programs to provide music to children in need.  Through their music and community driven work, BIV is committed to providing children access to high quality and engaging music arts programs and resources. Broadway Inspirational Voices was originally founded by McElroy in 1994 as the Broadway Gospel Choir and in 1999 was reincarnated to its current form. In addition to numerous concerts, the group has performed on “The Rosie O’Donnell Christmas Special,” Broadway Sings Elton John, The Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation Benefit, and The 2000 Tony Awards. The Broadway Inspirational Voices second album Great Joy: A Gospel Christmas was released on Sh-K-Boom Records in 2003 and received a Grammy Award nomination.”

BLACK GIRLS ROCK AND BURY THE RATCHET  – Tuesday, June 4th

International DJ and Black Girls Rock Founder and Executive Director, Beverly Bond  will present the Brooklyn community services human spirit award to Michaela angela Davis on Tuesday, June 4, 2013. You should come out and bear witness to two dynamic women and then some. The Brooklyn Community Services will host its annual BCS Human Spirit Awards at the Grand Hyatt-Manhattan Ballroom this year. I’ve been asked to join its host committee and to invite as many of you to get in on this wonderful cause as possible. In addition to Michaela, BCS will honor another cultural leader who too calls Brooklyn his home: award-winning artist, Danny Simmons, will join other honorees in a ceremony that celebrates individuals who through their vision, leadership, service and generosity have built a lasting impression on both culture and community. The Human Spirit Awards is the annual fundraising dinner for BCS that highlights individuals, groups and programs that have made lifting up the lives of Brooklynites their call to action.  Last year's gala raised $500,000 and provided vital resources to support BCS's mission to strengthen families, help children and youth reach their full potential, and support adults in leading productive, fulfilling lives.  Proceeds from this year's online and silent auction will support efforts to provide continued relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Coney Island: http://bit.ly/ZVFgLS. #humanspirit2013

FRIENDS

CONGRATS to dear friend, fine artist Taha Clayton on his latest project: "Round Zero", an Exhibition of Paintings by Tim Okamura, Jerome Lagarrigue, Taha Clayton, & Joseph Adolphe in NY! We got to check out "Round Zero," a fine art exhibition, featuring Taha and crew at the Art Director’s Club in Manhattan.

Tim Okamura, Jerome Lagarrigue, Taha Clayton and Joseph Adolphe exhibited their latest work in a boxing-themed collection curated by Dexter Wimberly. The exhibition also served as the culmination of more than two years of documentation of these artists' creative journey by film-maker Jeff Martini, for an upcoming feature entitled "HEAVYWEIGHTPAINT," a segment of which was shot at the events. A portion of proceeds went to the Brotherhood / Sister Sol, a Harlem-based youth organization.  Artworks created by students from "Bro/Sis" were also on display at the event. (http://heavyweightpaint.com/)  and (http://www.brotherhood-sistersol.org)

Afterwards, we all gathered to toast my Nichole who is getting ready to embark on a fun journey of reinvention and relocation. Stay tuned! WE LOVE YOU, NICHOLE…

and of course, you and I are together forever – no matter where we are geographically.

Happy birthday to BFF Tommie Porter – husband of Mara Schiavocampo.

We all gathered in Harlem to toast Tommie;

enjoy cake and champagne; and – as always – to have a good time!

Shout out to my NABJ buddy Alicia Quarles – E! Entertainment News’ own!

She was standing next to me the opening night of "Motown: The Musical" - covering for E! News (as chronicled by my lens when I wasn't otherwise occupied).

She did the same when she wasn't busy and forwarded me some of the good ones while we awaited Tommie's arrival.

In addition to the highlight video of my work which you can check out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ, Alicia got some shots that were coming in from a whole other angle of which I wasn't aware.

Great shots, Alicia! 

EVEN MISS ROSS walking away...

THANK YOU!

          

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #AILEYLIFE

Hi folks,

I’m CERTAIN my late, great mother is looking down from above and PROUD of a lot of the work that’s been coming my way!  After all, no one knew of my love of all things POP CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, and the ARTS better than she as I came out the womb exclaiming “I’M COMING OUT!” LOL!. To have a month in which I was up-front-and-personal with childhood favorites like Diana Ross, Berry Gordy, and all the MOTOWN Legends (but a few with whom I’ve been chatting up of late) has me feeling her SMILE bathing all over me from above! My life-long friend Jimmy Bethea who hails from a family that paralleled the international journey of my own family via the Air Force (and - like me - was born in Tokyo, Japan) noted something sensitively to me via text that made me choke up re:my mom whose name is Queen Elizabeth Bellinger Riley. Jimmy txt "The QUEEN is smiling down on you, young man! Extremely happy for you!" BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT from someone I know who LOVES his mom as much as I do and MISSES his mom as much as I miss my own (This, as we - the baby boys - are both dealing with life (in our adulthood) without our SUPER MOMS (R.I.P. Miss Chris Bethea)).      If my mom was here, I’d take her to NJPAC to see the ALVIN AILEY dancers at NJPAC where they’ll perform REVELATIONS & OTHER GREAT PERFORMANCES MOTHERS DAY WEEKEND. 5/10-5/12.  If you are in the area, I’m recommending you take your mom. http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #AILEYLIFE

With that, let me help TWO of you out: I have the opportunity to raffle off two NJPAC  Just Imagine Gift Cards -- each of $50 individual value. The gift card is good at the NJPAC on site restaurant and can be used towards buying tickets to any designated performances atNJPAC.  The prizes will go ONLY to those that include the following custom #hashtag designated just for me on Facebook or Twitter between now and May 10: http://bit.ly/njpacLOR #AILEYLIFE

MY TWITTER: @patarack

MY FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/patrick.l.riley

We will screenshot the winner’s post or tweet and pick two winners from our tracking and will then follow up with you to confirm your acceptance of the gift and your contact information for claiming the prize – so we can send it to you.

Again, my designated hashtag for all of my followers and those who want to be considered for these two prizes: #AILEYLIFE

IT’S A PERFECT MOTHER’S DAY GIFT, right?

TONY AWARDS

CHECK THIS OUT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuJEs6ruin0. Shout out to ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 and its hosts Lola Ogunnaike and Shannon Lanier for shouting me out in the wake of my debut the day prior: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDxfe-hG_aY. In my BROADWAY ROUND-UP segment, I predicted the iconic Cicely Tyson would be nominated for her role in Broadway’s “The Trip to Bountiful”. And she was!!!! YAY! I appreciate the attribution, ARISE FAM! CALL ME ANYTIME and THANK YOU for trusting and reinforcing my predictions and enthusiasm which translated into other nods – including Condola Rashad (also for “Trip to Bountiful”). I also totally enjoyed The Trip to Bountiful Broadway’s Opening Night after party! FUN ROOM including star Vanessa Williams' daughter Lionbabe; my fellow journalist friends Jacque Reid and Karu Daniels; my Broadway darlings La Chanze (who'd just wrapped her one-woman-tribute to Miss Ross at 54 Below), Ken Roberson, and Tamara Tune; and  the lovely DEBORAH COX whose publicist, my friend Gwendolyn Quinn notes is “the sweetest”! I agree and also note that she’s among the most fierce as she too is starring on Broadway in “Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde”:https://www.facebook.com/JekyllMusical?fref=ts AND I REALLY DO LOVE IT! OTHER TONY NOMINEES I REFERENCED YESTERDAY: Pippin’ and its Lead Player Patina Miller ("Pippin" nabbed 10 nominations for MUSICAL REVIVAL against other best musical revival candidates are "Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella," "Annie," and ''The Mystery of Edwin Drood”.

 Patina Miller, last on Broadway as the heroine of "Sister Act," stepped into the Ben Vereen role of Leading Player in "Pippin" and earned her second straight nomination); “Kinky Boots” which received 13 nods (The Cyndi Lauper-scored "Kinky Boots," which earned a leading 13 Tony nominations. British import "Matilda: The Musical" has 12. "Kinky Boots" is based on the 2005 British movie about a real-life shoe factory that struggles until it finds new life in fetish footwear. Lauper's songs and a story by Harvey Fierstein have made it a crowd-pleaser. Fierstein; one of my TOTAL FAV SINGERS Billy Porter; and Stark Sands as well as Annaleigh Ashford are nominated for “Kinky Boots”); and though considered a snub by some: just-four nominations for “Motown: The Musical” – including "Motown: The Musical”s Valisia LeKae who was nominated for best performance by an actress in a leading role for her portrayal of Diana Ross, while Charl Brown earned the nod for best performance by an actor in a featured role for his portrayal of Smokey Robinson. "Motown's" Ethan Popp and Bryan Crook are up for best orchestrations, while Peter Hylenski earned a nomination for best sound design of a musical. ALSO: CONGRATS to Courtney B. Vance who earned a best featured actor nomination playing an editor in "Lucky Guy" with Tom Hanks, making his Broadway debut and earning a nomination as leading man in a play. Some big snubs, according to Hollywood (and other than more for “Motown”): Al Pacino of "Glengarry Glen Ross," Alec Baldwin in "Orphans," Katie Holmes in "Dead Accounts," Bette Midler in "I'll Eat You Last: A Chat With Sue Mengers" and Scarlett Johansson from the revival of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." The nominations were announced Tuesday in a televised event co-hosted by Tony winner Sutton Foster and "Modern Family" star Jesse Tyler Ferguson. The awards will be broadcast on CBS from Radio City Music Hall on June 9.  THANKS to ASPIRE for allowing me a platform to share my intel.  In addition to the FAB co-hosts, was also good to see so many of my industry buddies at this promising start-up – including Eugenia Harvey; Paula Witt (my friend who booked me); Keyon Williams (my friend who first told ARISE to book me); and one of my fellow contributors Sean Joelle Johnson, TV exec and entertainment attorney who weighed in on celebrities and their legal issues. BACKGROUND ON THE SHOW (per the producers): The show airs live online and on Sky Cable in London, Monday-Friday at 2pm. The segment lasts 8-10 minutes. These are talk segments only but there will eventually be opportunities for performances. Recent guests included Kevin Liles, Mona Scott, Taiye Sealsi, Big Daddy Kane, Dr. Ian Smith, Kid Capri, Kym Whitley, Michaela Angela Davis and more. ARISE is an African owned global network geared primarily to Africans, African-Americans and people interested in the diaspora. The network has hubs in New York, London, Johannesburg and Lagos, and the New York hub just launched on March 11. As part of the US launch, ARISE 360 airs a daily entertainment show featuring hosts Lola Ogunnaike (former NY Times & Daily News feature reporter, current MSNBC & Today Show contributor and freelance reporter) and Shannon LaNier (Black Enterprise TV). ARISE Entertainment 360 airs online in the US and airs on the Sky Cable in London (currently showing in over 35 countries across Europe). The ARISE entity also owns Arise Magazine (www.ariselive.com). Although it is a separate entity, it is under the ARISE brand.

MORE TV STUFF

In the wake of my COZI-TV Blacks/Broadway round-up (http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html) and my MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL opening night moments (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ). PLUS: the other outlets that ran with that footage (1) http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/04/16/motown-memorialized-in-new-musical?videoId=242278913&videoChannel=3 & (2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=An_r_D2HM5Q, I’m excited that the industry’s real estate has room for ME!

RHONDA ROSS AT CUTTING ROOM

After enjoying the inaugural event for my friend Nathan's Renaissance Brunch Series, I met up with my 'Amazing Grace' Nichole, my date for Miss Rhonda Ross' performance at The Cutting Room (www.thecuttingroomnyc.com). As always, she was amazing. In addition to her fan favorites - original and covers, she included some new experiences - including "Cabaret" (which she first performed at the Hearts of Gold event to which I introduced recurring client Remy Martin as a liquor sponsor and partner back in November 2012);
her mom's "Home" (from "The Wiz"); and super-encore "I'm Every Woman". All my favorite Ross fans were in the house - including Andreas, Judy, Jim, Dustin, et al as well as friend Tamara Tunie (accompanied by her lovely mother). Also in the house: one of my All-Star Karaoke SUPERSTARS, actress Pernell Walker who has been filming Lee Daniels' "The Butler" - also starring Oprah, Terrence Howard; Lenny Kravitz; Jane Fonda; etc.

SAVANNAH ROCKS VIA TERRY SARTOR, DUANE HARDEN, ET AL

I also recently got to celebrate one of my Savannah homeboys Terry Sartor who hosted a launch party for his new music label Valiant Horizon at the lavish Trump International Hotel & Tower Central Park. It’s a celebration of Valiant Horizon’s triumphant start and its first six official releases as well as remix work – which include music from Lorchee (Poland), Terry Sartor (USA), Milosz-B (UK), Kyle Brylin (USA), Thought Leaders (USA) and Dream Attackers (USA) with more to come including the hot up-and-coming U.S.-based dance music crew Automatic Recreation! Congrats to Terry who started his own music label and production with a focus on dance music: http://www.facebook.com/valianthorizon and www.soundcloud.com/terrysartor. Was also great to meet another two Savannah homeboys – one of whome, Duane Harden, I’d never met. He’s a songwriter/recording artist whose “You Don’t Know Me” – WITH Armand van Helden - was a #1 dance hit in the U.K.: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkXTbHebcQs.   Another recent project “Love Will” with Ferry Corsten can be heard here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmojYngSy-w.  Like Terry, Duane is a Beach High grad. I graduated from often their rival school: Windsor Forest High School. But these many years later, being from Savannah makes us all ONE!

RENAISSANCE BRUNCH SERIES

Shout out to my friend Nathan Hale Williams and Artie Thompson (http://www.bravotv.com/chef-roble-and-co) for inviting us to be their guest at the Renaissance Brunch Series today at the Hudson Bond. Special guest host was the one and only Ms. Bevy Smith (Bravo's Fashion Queens & Dining with Bevy): http://www.bravotv.com/fashion-queens. There were even give-aways including the award-winning work, "For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow Still Is Not Enough," written by New York Times Best Selling Author, Keith Boykin. The book recently won the American Library Association's Stonewall Award for Non-Ficition Book of the Year and is nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. From cocktail hour to delicious brunch to great dancing afterword, Nathan truly designed an exceptional afternoon of fun, fellowship and networking. Music was provided by DJ Poison Ivy. AND WHAT A BLAST to see so many great friends! CONGRATS, NATHAN!

 

GET OMERGED SWEEPTSTAKES

Beginning  TODAY - Friday, 5/31, IMAN Cosmetics, Skullcandy, TIGI/Catwalk, Me & The Girls and Republic Records are offering free products in the Get Omerged Sweepstakes. Point of entry is www.getomerged.com, which is LIVE! Republic Records has chosen to feature Adrian Marcel, protege of Raphael Saadiq, in this promotion. Adrian has a brand new mix tape out called "7 Days of Weak" (featuring Saadiq, Wale and others), and his music is AMAZING. And, people can win the CD through this promo: https://soundcloud.com/adrian-marcel510 For more details, read the embedded art in this segment.

SENIOR DATE NIGHT in HARLEM

On Friday, May 10th from 6pm - 10pm at National Black Theatre, in Harlem (125th Street & 5th Ave), my friend Sharon Nelson is launching her first event SENIOR DATE NIGHT which soon will have a multi-format presences on-line and on the airwaves. For those who have paid the price of admission to be a part of the 50+ club (AKA Senior Date Night), this program provides enrichment of personal fulfillment of social expression for those who are 50 and above.  Through music, food and like minded people -- a good time and fun is the order of the day. First up: a fun night with lots of food, fun, drinks, and entertainment. DON’T MISS IT!

BCS HUMAN SPIRIT AWARDS

Brooklyn Community Services (BCS) is one of the largest and oldest nonprofit organizations in New York.  These amazing folks have been serving people in Brooklyn for 147 years.  On June 4th, I am excited to be among the Benefit Committee members who are leading the charge to honor my friend Michaela angela Davis and Danny Simmons at the Human Spirit Awards, which will be held at the Grand Hyatt-Manhattan Ballroom. BLACK GIRLS ROCK’s Beverly Bond has agreed to present the award to Michaela.  Marty Markowitz will present the award to Danny.  The gala is going to be an wonderful evening that begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 PM; and the dinner and awards presentation at 7:30 PM. If you would like to join the Benefit Committee to support the BCS Human Spirit Awards, please call 718.310.5617 or email sshields@wearebcs.org.  The Human Spirit Awards is the biggest fundraiser to support the critical work of Brooklyn Community Services.  Proceeds from the Human Spirit Awards will support BCS's key programmatic areas, including: Early Childhood Development, Youth Education, Family Counseling, Job Training, Health and Wellness and Services for the Developmentally Disabled.  For more information about our work, please go to www.WeAreBCS.org.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ANT!

WE ALL GATHERED TO TOAST Anthony Harper but the guests at the birthday hang last night read like a WHO'S WHO! THANKS TO ALL!: * Tony-award-winning actress La Chanze (also in film - including "The Help") * Emmy-award-winning NBC "Today" correspondent and MSNBC anchor Mara Schiavocampo * World-famous model Bobby Roache (Beyonce's "Irreplaceable" video) * Senior exec at Ogilvy Jeff Bowman * Brian Badie (Ice T personal hairstylist and co-star on "Ice T loves Coco") * NYU Journalism Professor (NY Post) Frankie Edozien * Senior Producer "Bill Cunningham Show" Shareen King * BET's "Don't Sleep w/TJ Holmes" producer Nichole Shellman * Wall Street Journal reporter (also BET) Taj Tsonga * Stlylist of the stars and TV personality Phillip Bloch * Karen Good Marable (Writer/Editor - EBONY) * Nathan Hale Williams (producer/writer/personality) * Tony-award-nominee/Broadway choreographer and director Ken Roberson * 'Wendy Williams' make-up artist (also for Diddy and many more) Merrell Hollis * COZI-TV/NBC 4 producer Tiffany Zeno * a host of "Wendy Williams" producers * several out of town guests who drove in from Durham, NC and Philly * and a host more. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABE!

BLAST FROM THE PAST

THROWBACK: Morehouse grew my childhood interests in pop culture and entertainment in two fell swoops: (1) Kennedy Center Honors 1991 when the Morehouse College Glee Club paid tribute to Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus Conductor/Composer Robert Shaw (circa early December 1991) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZF2iK2VOY8); (2) When I was selected by everybody’s favorite Morehouse icon, Dr. Anne Watts, to present an award to Louis Gossett, Jr. at the “Candle in the Dark Awards” during Founders Day Weekend [circa February 1992] – a moment captured on BET’s Screen Scene. And all the stuff in between that would lead me to MOTOWN’s Opening Night Celebration on Broadway:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ. #throwbackthursday

MOTOWN THE MUSICAL IS OPEN!

UPDATE: The video I host on Motown: The Musical's Opening Night Celebration is edited and here. Please feel free to VIEW/FWD/SHARE...and - most of all - to come and see MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL on BROADWAY):

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KK1yncqPlOQ

 

 After I did my “Blacks and Broadway” segment on COZI-TV (http://www.nbcnewyork.com/on-air/as-seen-on/Pop-Culture-Expert-Patrick-Riley-on-Black-Broadway_New-York.html), the “Motown: The Musical” ad folks hired me as its host for the show's OPENING NIGHT CELEBRATION – including interviewing all the guests as they walked the red carpet! Stay tuned for that clip...  

You see me interviewing my life-time idol Diana Ross and Motown Founder Berry Gordy along with many other greats!!!

The client also serviced my interviews to REUTERS and others.

SEE MISS Diana Ross; Berry Gordy; and a little of me (along with reax from Jane Fonda) also here in this piece: http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/04/16/motown-memorialized-in-new-musical?videoId=242278913&videoChannel=3.

And in this BROADWAY CHANNEL clip, you'll see glimpses of my footage and me as I interview the great Debbie Allen, Cuba Gooding Jr., Vanessa Williams, Sting, his wife Trudie Styler, and more excerpts from my Ross and Gordy chat (not all of the soundbites are mine as Broadway Channel had someone on-site as well): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=An_r_D2HM5Q. WHAT A MAGICAL NIGHT! 45^th Street shook like an earthquake when Miss Ross arrived in the same limo as Mr. Gordy for the highly

anticipated world premiere at The Lunt Fontanne Theatre, followed by party at Roseland Ballroom.

I reminded Miss Ross and Mr. Gordy that Motown nor Diana were strangers to Broadway (1. Diana Ross & The Supremes and The Temptations' follow-up TV special to their debut TCB was GIT: Getting It Together on Broadway;

2. "Pippin'" with Tony-award-winning Ben Vereen was a Motown soundtrack and Diana and the Jackson 5 both covered the show's hit track "Corner of the Sky";

3. Miss Ross won a Tony for her Broadway-staged one-woman show which broke box office records: "An Evening with Diana Ross").

Diana said to Berry: "He has a great memory! Always!" (Miss Ross referencing my memory of steel on all things Ross & Motown from a three-day set of interviews I got to do with her in 2005 at the "Legends" ball + she's called me on the stage to dance on "Upside Down" a couple of times over the years, too).

Worth also noting that Miss Ross, her original supreme mate Mary Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, and many of the other Motown LEGENDS joined the cast on stage at the end --- embracing and celebrating the performers who were playing them (I also interviewed them all on the red carpet).

SOMEDAY WE’LL BE TOGETHER, INDEED!

These pictures and video were taken by my friend Brandon Bain – singer/personality/karaoke host – who got to sing with ‘Diana Ross’ [Valisia Lekae (formerly of “The Book of Mormon”)] on “Reach Out & Touch (Somebody’s Hand)” – preview night one. He too attended the opening night after party.

While I was on duty, he shot some of this behind-the-scenes footage of MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL’s after party

(including the great still shot of Diana, Berry, and Mary (and Jesse Jackson)! INDEED, Miss Ross and Mary Wilson BACK TOGETHER AGAIN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lYDMm04esk);

Afterwards, Miss Ross - as promised (with Berry Gordy still in tow) – came to talk to me again.

She exclaimed she LOVED Valisia in the leading role of Diana Ross ("I'm CUTE," Miss Ross shared before giggling, sharp contrast to the many tears of joy and nostalgia she'd expressed from her seat during the show).

She too said that Berry Gordy is a 'great storyteller'!!! MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL features music and lyrics from the legendary Motown catalogue and a book by Berry Gordy. It is directed by Charles Randolph-Wright stars - in addition to 'Diana Ross' - Tony Award® nominee Brandon Victor Dixon (The Color Purple) and and features Charl Brown (Jersey Boys) as Smokey Robinson, Bryan Terrell Clark as Marvin Gaye and an ensemble cast of 40. I spoke to many of them. Others in the house - many of whom I too spoke: THE COMMODORES, BONO, GAYLE KING, STING, JANE FONDA, JULIE CHEN from "The Talk"; LES MOONVES;

CLIVE DAVIS, LA REID, JIMMY IOVINE, VALERIE SIMPSON, SPIKE LEE, JESSE JACKSON, ANTHONY MASON, VANESSA WILLIAMS, CUBA GOODING JR., JUDY CRAYMER, SUZANNE DEPASSE, KATHIE LEE GIFFORD, HODA KOTB, ANDY COHEN, BRUCE RESNIKOFF, BENNY MEDINA, DAVID GEFFEN, TOMMY MOTTOLA, LMFAO's RED FOO, CLAUDETTE ROBINSON, CINDY ADAMS, STAR JONES, BARRY MANILOW, MELBA MOORE, ROSANNA ARQUETTE,

DEBBIE ALLEN, TRACEE ELLIS ROSS,

MARY HART, BOB MARTIN, GEORGE SCHLATTER, SHELLY BERGER, MICKEY STEVENSON, RHONDA ROSS, COURTNEY B. VANCE,LAMONT DOZIER, EDWARD HOLLAND JR., MICKEY STEVENSON, Songwriting team KENNETH GAMBLE & LEON HUFF, EPIC Records recording artist JADA GRACE, WOLFGANG PUCK, LUCIAN GRAINGE, Congresswoman MAXINE WATERS, EVANDER HOLYFIELD, PRODUCERS KEVIN MCCOLLUM, DOUG MORRIS,NORM LEWIS, BRIAN STOKES MITCHELL,

NONA HENDRYX, etc.

MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL is the real story of the one-of-a-kind sound that hit the airwaves in 1959 and changed our culture forever.

This exhilarating show charts Motown Founder Berry Gordy's incredible journey from featherweight boxer to the heavyweight music mogul who launched the careers of Diana Ross,

Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, and many more.

Featuring all the classics you love, MOTOWN: THE MUSICAL tells the story behind the hits as Diana, Smokey, Berry and the whole Motown family fight against the odds to create the soundtrack of change in America.

The music that shattered barriers, shaped our lives and made us all move to the same beat finally comes to Broadway in the season's most anticipated show.

It's playing at The Lunt Fontanne Theatre - 205 West 46th Street (Btwn Broadway & 8th Ave - North sid Roseland Ballroom 239 West 52nd Street (Between Broadway & 8th Avenue). www.motownthemusical.com. Special shout out to Marcia Pendelton, Marketing Outreach for the Motown: The Muiscal. She was THE key player in ensuring I was a part of this historic night!

THANKS MARCIA! ENDLESS LOVE TO MOTOWN, MR. GORDY, AND DIANA ROSS!

LA CHANZE’S DIANA ROSS HANGOVER

Motown and Diana Ross' collective and respective LEGACIES LIVE alongside their LIVING FABULOUSNESS (a la Broadways’s ‘Motown: The Musical’ and Miss Ross' still-busy-and-impressive itinerary (She hosted 'Christmas in Washington' for The Obamas this past December: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIb3eDIOrMY - cast in tow from injury sustained at a reported $1,000,000 one-nighter to serenade supermodel Naomi Campbell's billionaire boyfriend's birthday party in India): My friend, TONY AWARD WINNING STAR OF 'THE COLOR PURPLE' AND "RAGTIME' LACHANZE's three-date, one-woman-show LOVE HANGOVER, which runs again Thursday, April 18 & Monday, April 22: www.54Below.com. LaChanze presented "Love Hangover" - her mostly re-conceived arrangements of Miss Ross' repertoire (or as she put it "...the soundtrack of my life..."). In attendance, a room full of LaChanze's friends and fans - many our own: our friend, Director Ken Roberson (GREAT JOB!), jazz singer Greg Generet (who performs three sets every Thursday in NYC at SMOKE);   one of my favorite actresses on TV, film, stage, daytime, nighttime, Broadway, off-Broadway, cabaret: Tamara Tunie; Broadway's best Norm Lewis (also in 'Scandal'); all my other favorites: siblings Sapp (and Bree); Rita Wilson (singer, actress, film/TV producer; and wife of Tom Hanks) who was performing a later set at the same venue [I got the chance to shoot a pic with her outside the preview press event 54 Below hosted with LaChanze, Wilson, and some of the other stars performing there in the next month.]; film/TV producer Angelique Francis; my homeboy, Richmond Hill's own Algernon Campbell: dancer (and dance instructor) EXTRAORDINNAIRE: and many more!!!

 Set list: starting from back of the house onto the stage:

Love Hangover

 Them There Eyes (from "Lady Sings the Blues")

 Touch Me in the Morning

 Last Time I Saw Him

 Good Morning Heartache (from "Lady...Blues")

 You Can't Hurry Love

 I Hear A Symphony

 Baby Love

 Reach Out & Touch prelude (featuring LaChanze's first leading man Jerry Dixon - "Once on this Island")

 You're All I Need To Get By (w/Jerry)

 Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing (w/Jerry)

 You Keep Me Hangin' On w/hints of Sting's "If You Love Somebody, Set Them Free" w/two gentlemen background singers

Be A Lion (from 'The Wiz')

 I'm Coming Out (w/two gentlemen background singers)

 Ain't No Mountain High Enough

 The Boss (encore)

BRILLIANT SET!

WATCHING IDOL WITH PEPA

Then, my friend Jamar Dunn asked Ant and me to pop by his place for an. 'American Idol' screening party with a fun group including the legendary Pepa of 'Salt & Pepa' fame; her hairdresser Troy Turner (Also Lil' Kim's hair stylist); another celebrity hairstylist Octavio (Mary, Mary; Serena Williams; and more); and a host of others. A-I-wise, we're all Team Candice!!!! But we are also Team Pepa! She engaged us so about the history of hip hop and her place in the landscape. And though I've enjoyed several moments in which I was an audience with Pepa, none quite this intimate and open - Pep and I even uncovering we share an astrological sign in common: Scorpio! What a pop cultural blessing! #moreloot

 BET UP FRONT 2013

What a week! "Motown: The Musical" on Broadway was a blast on Sunday. But Monday had me dotting Is and crossing Ts to ready the video for BET's Up Front, a project on which I have been working with recurring client BET Creative Services for the last few months. Always nice to see my labor of love on an EPIC screen in the front of Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall where BET pulled out... all the stops in addition to the video programming sizzles I had a hand in producing: performances by Chaka Khan ("Tell Me Something Good" for CENTRIC section); Kierra Sheard and brother John Drew Sheard II (who performed a Gospel tribute to Boston); also, appearances by Boris Kodjoe; Kevin Hart; Nelly; Selita Ebanks; and others from "Real Husbands of Hollywood"; Chris Tucker (just-announced host of the BET Awards which go down during the unprecedented BET Experience at LA LIVE, a three-day music-and-more festival at the end of June); Comedians Sommore and Tony Rock; star of BET's 1st Original Movie & 1st weekly, one-hour drama "Being Mary Jane", Gabrielle Union; Boris' beautiful wife, actress Nicole Ari Parker; legendary Gladys Knight; and a performance by Miguel. Several mingled and posed for pix with the many advertising folks in the audience - there to determine if they will buy into BET. From the feedback and various ovations, it looks good. Great to work with such an AWESOME TEAM at BET. Happy my nephew Herman L. Riley III was in attendance and I got to hang out with him a little - a rare treat.

DIVORCE COUNSELOR

So happy to attend the New York City PREMIERE of SEEIt Film THE DIVORCE COUNSELOR – written, produced, and directed by my friend and often-fellow-collaborator (at recurring client BET): THEMBISA S. MSHAKA. It took place recently at the New York Film Academy. And now you can get in on the session: THE DIVORCE COUNSELOR can be seen on-line --- EXCLUSIVELY on WWW.FREESWORLD.COM (FREE hosted the festivities!). Please feel free to REFER “The Divorce Counselor”. CONGRATS, THEMBISA! BEAUTIFUL NIGHT! Shout out to Chasity, Loren, Kris, Deangelo, Rachel, et al. #TheDivorceCounselor

DANCE THEATRE OF HARLEM

You know I love the Dance Theatre of Harlem! You may recall I recently attended DTH's Vision Gala as a guest of friends Mara Brock Akil and Salim Akil who weren't able to attend (Vanessa Williams - now in Broadway's "The Trip To Bountiful" - was honored): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2013/3/7/mercury-in-retrograde.html.  You may also recall I hosted DTH's Annual Street Fair in Harlem a few years ago: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2008/8/15/masters-mentors.html. Recently, many of us gathered to see the DTH Company at Jazz at Lincoln Center - a beautiful series of performance in the Rose Theater.In the house: SO MANY FRIENDS - including my 'Amazing Grace' Nichole; friend (and producer of "Drums Along The Hudson") Carl Nelson; BFF Sidra Smith (Producer, "Free Angela" documentary); Stacie J ('Apprentice' star - Season 2); Ed Roebuck (clients including Diana Ross, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Nancy Wilson); Miss Dawn Riley (performer as well as TV production credits that include "Third Watch" and "Lipstick Jungle" among many others); and my SURPRISE BLAST FROM THE PAST (who happened to be seated next to me): CNBC Business News talent Sharon Epperson, my former co-worker (I worked at CNBC with Geraldo Rivera in the mid-'90s) and forever NABJ sister!! It was her birthday but the treat was all mine to chat she and her sister up during scene pauses and intermissions. And to those I'm not listing due to space, GREAT TO SEE YOU AS WELL and as ALWAYS! http://www.dancetheatreofharlem.org/company/ny-season Center Charge: 212.721.6500 www.JALC.org. Afterwards, we grabbed a bite in the area (Rosa Mexicana) before turning in. FUN FRIDAY!!!

DEBORAH COX IN “JEKYLL & HYDE”

Date DAY & NIGHT: Ant & I got a quality-time Saturday in, compliments of friend, publicist Gwendolyn Quinn. We saw one of my TOTAL FAVs, GRAMMY® nominated recording artist Deborah Cox (as Lucy) in JEKYLL & HYDE THE MUSICAL alongside another American Idol FAV, Constantine Maroulis (Dr. Henry Jekyll and Edward Hyde). Deborah's return to Broadway is a 13-week limited engagement at Broadway's Marquis Theatre in New York City. It's a great show-Deborah is AMAZING!!! The review I text some close friends: "Deborah Cox (AND Constantine) are singing for the gODZ in "Jekyll & Hyde" on Broadway! Sexy! Sultry! Beautiful, BELTING & nuanced vocals!!!" JEKYLL & HYDE is based on the acclaimed novella The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson, about a London doctor who accidentally unleashes an evil alternate personality in his quest to cure his father's mental illness.

HUMAN SPIRIT AWARDS

On June 4, 2013, Brooklyn Community Services will host its annual BCS Human Spirit Awards at the Grand Hyatt-Manhattan Ballroom. I’ve been asked to join its host committee and to invite as many of you to get in on this wonderful cause as possible. This year BCS will honor two cultural leaders who call Brooklyn their home. My friend, National image activist, Michaela angela Davis, and award-winning artist, Danny Simmons, will join other honorees in a ceremony that celebrates individuals who through their vision, leadership, service and generosity have built a lasting impression on both culture and community. The Human Spirit Awards is the annual fundraising dinner for BCS that highlights individuals, groups and programs that have made lifting up the lives of Brooklynites their call to action.  Last year's gala raised $500,000 and provided vital resources to support BCS's mission to strengthen families, help children and youth reach their full potential, and support adults in leading productive, fulfilling lives.  Proceeds from this year's online and silent auction will support efforts to provide continued relief to victims of Hurricane Sandy in Coney Island. This year's gala is already shaping up as a Who's Who of local and national notables, including international DJ and Black Girls Rock Founder and Executive Director, Beverly Bond, who will present the award to Ms. Davis.  Brooklyn Borough President, Marty Markowitz, who has long been a strong supporter of BCS, will present the award to Danny Simmons.  Other confirmed guests to date include:  filmmaker and hip hop journalist, dream hampton; writer, musician and producer, Greg Tate; R&B recording artist and model, Maiysha Kai and playwright, radio host and political commentator, Esther Armah. I just recently had a chance to work with Michaela angela Davis on one of my last freelance projects (the aforementioned BET Up Front 2013). She has already made an indelible mark on culture, style and image activism.  As the former fashion, beauty, and culture executive editor for Essence magazine and founding fashion director of Vibe, Ms. Davis helped expand the narrow narratives of what is considered beautiful for millions of readers.  As a leading image/style maven, she has worked with the likes of Oprah, Beyoncé, and Prince.  Currently she leads MAD Free, a multi-platform, multi-generational critical community conversation project focusing on image. Danny Simmons has been a leading figure in the New York art scene for over 30 years.  Danny is a noted abstract expressionist painter and the older brother of hip hop impresario Russell Simmons and rapper Joseph Simmons ("Reverend Run" of Run–D.M.C.).  He is the co-founder and Chairman of Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation (since 1995), which provides disadvantaged urban youth with arts access and education.   As a former social worker, Danny understands the impact early intervention can have on a child's life, believing that arts and creativity are a way out of a particular circumstance through the power of imagination. Through their courage, determination and creative drive, Ms. Davis and Mr. Simmons have inspired and uplifted the many young people, struggling families and adults with challenges, who are served by BCS. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW YOU CAN BUY TICKETS FOR THIS AWESOME GALA OR MAKE A DONATION: Click on http://www.wearebcs.org/.

KENYA MOORE

Though the night got a little long in the tooth, glad we got to support our friend Nathan Hale Williams’ Ocean Thursdays party at Splash recently! Special guest Kenya Moore performed “Gone With The Wind” fabulous! and was most gracious to show the kids how to pose – on stage and at the step & repeat. Was also EXTRA special to see some dear friends – including face-beater-par-excellence (makeup artist to the stars) Sam Fine; Editor-in-Chief at Uptown Magazine, Isoul Harris (my Morehouse brother whose book “NICKI MINAJ: HIP POP MOMENTS 4 LIFE” just came out this week) ------ ALL OF THIS after enjoying a nice family meal with my nephew and his mom (visiting from our hometown Savannah) at Billie’s Black. #GoneWithTheWindFabulous!!!!