A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

Nabj40

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

APOLLO STYLE

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

MISS JESSIE’S

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

IYANLA

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

Underground

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

PRINCE

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

LADIES WHO LUNCH

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

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

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

  I thought my blog entry would simply chronicle my month in Atlanta on an assignment – the general details of which I can share when the ‘reality show’ is ready to be seen in the Fall. I would have simply listed the musings and pop culture sightings across which I stumbled while in my ‘home away from home’ over this five-week stretch. But I’ll start with what awaited me here at home over this past few days as I did miss my partner Ant something terrible. I also missed the comforts of my home and the quality of my life. But during these economically-challenging times, it’s been critical that I be willing to sacrifice to stay connected to the industry I still hold dear and to hold onto the business that is – for now - the backdrop of my calling and living.

Though put up in lovely quarters and enjoying all the cuisine Atlanta has to offer, I was very excited to land at JFK airport the other day and be met by Ant and a roundup of ‘my favorite things’ that had been missing while I was away from home. He lined up TIVO – so we could catch up on the shows I didn’t have the time to watch. He served a tasty meal of salmon, asparagus, and fixings. We held onto each other for dear life before heading into the city for some time-sensitive errands (bills still have to be paid, etc.) and of course, some social time at SOBs (www.sobs.com). John Legend introduced his little brother Vaughn Anthony (www.john-legend.net/homeschool/) who provided a seven-song indication that he’s got the goods. Additionally, Legend performed a jam session with Estelle… Rick Ross… Ryan Leslie.  John Legend rocks!!!! Then, Ant and I did a little karaoke. (and three times since I’ve been back). The next night, his buddy Mike from Denver (an awesome vocalist in his own right) joined us for an evening. We got our karaoke in but also did some bar hopping – including our old standby “No Parking” (www.noparkingbar.com) where our friend/owner Brian Palmer showed how happy he was to see me. Derrick Briggs whose awesome performance in "Finding Me" entertained Ant and me during our reunion (www.thanks4findingme.com) as we viewed a copy provided us from the filmmaker. Also, I co-hosted an event for my dear friend Carl Nelson. “Drums Along The Hudson” (www.drumsalongthehudson.org/), which I also co-hosted last year, is in its seventh year of transforming Upper Manhattan’s Inwood Hill Park into a POW WOW PLANET. Produced by Carl, it is presented by Lotus Music & Dance in collaboration with the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation. It is sponsored in part by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and WABC-TV, including host for the first part of the day, Sandra Bookman. “Drums Along The Hudson” is a celebratory gathering of Native people and a multicultural, family-oriented mélange of world dancers and drummers. Also, Native American crafts and international cuisines were a part of the day. My co-host Tetiana Anderson (of Weather Channel fame - www.weather.com/tv/personalities/Tetiana-Anderson.html) and I introduced a diverse array of performances – from Peru, Korea, and the Mohawk tribe. Ant volunteered for the effort while many of our friends came out to support - including Lisa, Nicole, and Wilson. We also met Theressa Dubois with Equal Access Sign Language Television (www.deafwelcome.org). She gave us an insight and awareness into the US Deaflympic Team (Taipei 2009).   I also got to enjoy a quick breakfast in Hackensack, NJ. My sponsors were another of my ride-or-dies Lisa Goodnight and her man Lex. We enjoyed southern cuisine and each others' company. The crème de la crème of Ant’s welcome home fiesta was at the Velvet Cigar Lounge (www.velvetbrooklyn.com) at which he bartends a couple of nights a week. You’ll recall, his “Amazing Grace” Manivone has been working there for about a year and graciously extended an offer his way after the owner Phil needed to expand his team. Ant – ever the visionary – has come up with “SUNDAY NIGHT MUSE” – a weekly franchise that celebrates the body of work and the influence of an artist. For my WELCOME-BACK-SET, DIANA ROSS – of course – was the muse. The signature drink "Love Hangover" was made of organic, fruit-infused Grey Goose. And DJ Stereotype scored the night with 45 years of LA ROSS piping from the speakers. My “Amazing Grace” Nichole, who too was in Atlanta with me on this reality assignment, shared ‘the spotlight’ with me as this was her comeback as well. Next week, PRINCE is the muse: www.velvetbrooklyn.com... And come meet Ant and DJ Stereotype in person. I plan to be there as well. I’M SO HAPPY TO BE HOME!!!!!

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A month of sightings without my every-two-week update means I have about five weeks to playback. I won’t bore you with all the details but the pictures are worth many words. Firstly, my fellow producers (including my Nichole, Shareen, Ev, Ashley) and I stayed at THE TWELVE – Atlantic Station (www.twelvehotels.com/AtlanticStation/HotelHome.do). It was truly a home away from home with each room well-appointed like an apartment - from kitchens to pcs to whirlpool and balcony. You’ll recall, I stayed there last August when in Atlanta to host an event for the High Museum (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2008/8/26/its-good-to-be-black.html). The lobby is quite the place to see and be seen. In the course of the month, I ran into “Ron” from “A Different World” played by Darryl Bell. He was in town working on a TV ONE special. Denise Boutte who is currently co-starring in Tyler Perry’s “Meet The Browns” was having dinner there one night (www.tbs.com/meetthebrowns). She too co-starred in Tyler Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?". My friend Anthony Hill (a writer for the show) introduced me to her. The ladies and I ran into Anthony on more than one occasion in the lobby and hung out a little bit. One night, a friend of Nichole’s Michael Ferguson (former bass player for Levert and planner of music festivals – www.omnisourcevents.com), Anthony (credits also including “Eve” and “Between Brothers”), Shareen, Nichole, and I did a night on the town that included: Gladys Knight and Ron Winans’ Chicken & Waffles (www.gladysandron.net/)... Sutra Lounge (www.sutraloungeatl.com)... my favorite for organic wings and eggs R. Thomas (www.rthomasdeluxegrill.com). We popped by Justin’s (www.justinsrestaurant.com) and met Shareen’s friend Sonia who has a store “Roaring 20s” in Lithonia near its Stone Crest Mall (We went to check her out and bought a few 'looks for less'). Shareen is also friends with Lelee from SWV. So, I got a photo op with her as well. Also in Atlantic Station, we spent time at “Geisha House” (www.dolcegroup.com) and enjoyed sushi. And when we could get out, “The Flying Biscuit” (www.flyingbiscuit.com/) and “Arizona” (www.tripadvisor.com) were two restaurants that floated our digestive boats. Good food all around!!!! Now, I couldn’t be in Atlanta without sniffing out “The Real Housewives of Atlanta”. Don't we LOVE them? Well, I'm told I can't talk about it now (so I've pulled the pix and sightings off). But stay tuned pending the new season. I'll try to remember to recall my own observations once it hits the airwaves later this year. I apologize if my initial post caused any trouble.    I did get to hang out a little bit with Sister 2 Sister’s Jamie Foster Brown (www.s2smagazine.com/). She and I got to catch up as we had some business-in-common later that week. Also, Keyshia Cole’s manager Manny invited me to a set for his birthday (www.velvetatl.com). Here I pose with his brother Steve who I got to know during the month there. We worked together and had a lot of fun too.

Since Nichole and I were both homesick, we were happy to be together as we also had to travel to Oakland for a few days on our assignment. Also, we were more than happy to get our friends and family in the mix as much as we could. Nichole’s sister Tori, Shannon, and Shannon’s friend Vernecia (who works at The Carter Center) came by to see us along with another of Tori’s friends Naima. Always good to hang with the girls. Any time we could connect to ‘our folks’ was a heartwarming time. My sister Janice lives in Lithonia. The same week I came to ATL, my brother Herman was coming to stay with my sister and her husband Vincent. So, I got a few moments to hang with them (Not as many as I would have liked but my work schedule demanded much of my time). My brother’s son Noot (who is now a rising-Senior at Morehouse College en route to NYC for his 2^nd year at his HBO internship) came and saw me a couple of times (Spelman sister in tow). My Morehouse brother Welborn Preston came by with a friend Nathan (who knows my Mario who is here in NYC). My “Original Amazing Grace” Natalie got to meet my “NYC Amazing Grace” Nichole. That was a cool moment for me! SMILE! My girlfriend Kelly Welborn (formerly of High Museum. Now, Director of Marketing with Spelman College museum) came by and spent some time with me. She even had a birthday gift for Ant; Miss Cristal (with whom Ern and I spent many Thanksgivings in the Poconos) came by; my dearest Elise found me in Lenox Mall one day. Then, we had some great, ‘spirited’ times at the hotel lobby. And my Audrey – of course – came around as often as possible to lift my homesick spirits. She even joined Lamoh and me one night at late-night supper spot Pearl (www.thepearlbistro.com/thepearlbistro.asp). Afterwards, we even convinced her to join us at a spot Rain for dancing (her Taliban-esque chicness in tow). And I couldn’t be in ATL for a month without my “best friends” from New York City popping by (not so much to see me, but of course, they squeezed me into their missions). Jason and Marqice were in town. Marqice joined Jason a few days later for his birthday which falls near Ant’s birthday - so our households were represented in both places (as Jason wasn't able to attend Ant's birthday set earlier in the month). Marqice had a Queens-based fete upon their return to NYC... and Ant was able to attend that as well. So, we LOVE when we can represent for each others' birthdays. Then, THE Michael K. Watts came down for Mother’s Day to see his mom… and popped by the “12” to say HI. This, as he and I are co-producing the National Association of Black Journalists’ Hall of Fame Banquet (www.nabj.org). One night, while dining at Intercontinental Buckhead (www.InterContinental.com) for business, I was cajoled into singing with a German tourist/pianist at the bar. This, while legendary Frankie Beverly (of MAZE) looked on and later complimented me. The one thing missing was… ANT! But he sure made up for it when I returned. We’ll now be present with the time we do have together before I hit the road for a couple of months: L.A., ATLANTA, L.A., TAMPA. He’ll – for sure – get one of these destinations in for a visit, if not more, though he’s poised to start work on “The Wendy Williams Show” at the end of June (in addition to an art project on which he’s working to complete and get backing for a show). STAY TUNED!