WELCOME to "The Life of Riley" which will include periodic chronicles of pop culture and possibilities that flow out of Patrick L. Riley's day. That's me!!! Through blogging (and soon some other technological features on which I'll keep you posted as they launch), I will pull experiences from my busy life to entertain and inspire all of you. Through this site, I will share my observations and insights. Some features to look forward to:
1.) "PATRICK'S POP UP(DATES)" will feature stories from pop culture, music, theater, fashion, and the entertainment industry at large.
2.) "The Life of Riley" will also introduce a "take-a-look-at-your-life" section (READ: sort of an advice column), where I will help readers come up with their own questions and answers around what "ways of being" are working (or not working) to have them acheive their respective goals and live their best lives. This section is called "WHO YOU BE?".
3.) Additonally, there will be a free-flowing, organic section called "TESTIFY" from which I will pull from my own life's journey to share and hopefully inspire. Some of the fare may be new musings and experiences. Other times, I may pull from my journals and past sharings to shed light on some uncomfortable truths that I've experienced and that may perhaps play a role in healing someone else's wounds as the real-life experience did for me. From my experience of covering 9/11 as a freelance journalist to courageously coming out (as gay) to my family, "TESTIFY" promises to move those who choose to read it.
4.) And a section titled "PR" (like my initials, but also like "public relations") will include press clips from any coverage I get.
Entries in Steve Harvey (3)
first look and listen
“FIRST LOOK” & BEYONCE
I don’t have a link yet to show you, but I made my debut on MSNBC's "FIRST LOOK" which is anchored by my “Amazing Grace” and BFF Mara Schiavocampo who asked me to do a phoner with her on Beyonce’s Inauguration performance. At 5am, I was bright and alert to wax philosophical and conspiratorial on whether Beyonce lip-sync’d or not, and – if so – why? LOL!
In a paraphrased nutshell, our segment went like this:
MARA: WAS IT LIVE OR NOT?
ME: I'm not sure, but where there isn't a statement from Beyonce's camp, there are Instagram photos of her recording the song before the Inaugural performance. And there have been statements from the US Marine Band - noting that a performance track was prepared - at least by the band. Such preparations are par for the course for BIG LIVE EVENTS where conditions may not be singing-friendly - like Inauguration and the Super Bowl.
MARA: HAS THE PRE-RECORDED TRACK BEEN DONE BEFORE?
ME: The same kind of speculation and details presented themselves around the much-praised Whitney Houston who recorded a track (two, actually) prior to performing her memorable Superbowl performance of the national anthem in 1991 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xS-R7SM_-M4).
TWO MONTHS AFTER THAT PERFORMANCE, Whitney did a concert for the soldiers returning from the Gulf War (HBO)… and she – a capella and subsequently with live band – started off the concert with THE NATIONAL ANTHEM again --- maybe to subside the nay-sayers (and there were during that time). Either way, whether via the pre-recording or the performance (and subsequent performances), she SANG THAT SONG... and BRILLIANTLY SO! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4ceaDJnk3c
MARA: BIG DEAL? OR NO BIG DEAL?
ME: I say MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING… and what a perfect SPOTLIGHT for HATERS, right? 
That said, worth noting that – as BEYONCE prepares for the SUPERBOWL that her “DREAMGIRLS” muse DIANA ROSS sang LIVE for her SUPERBOWL HALFTIME SHOW in 1996… 
in addition to being picked up on the field by a helicopter. FOR BEYONCE TO QUIET HER NAY-SAYERS, it may perhaps be necessary for her to have an UNDENIABLY LIVE moment in her set list for SUPERBOWL. I’M JUST SAYING! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6GyLjyVAIY).
OTHER THINGS I WANTED TO SAY BUT TWO MINUTES DIDN'T ALLOW:
1. Can we firstly just say that Beyonce showed many of her peers how a DIVA does it yesterday: from the emerald earrings to the “oddly fierce” gesture at the end…as if to say I WAS HERE! (BY THE WAY: For a fabulous knock-off earring the like of Beyonce's 'emeralds', check out STELLA AND DOT (www.stelladot.com/). 
They have the perfect pair! Green is the new color for the season! Check out JADE drop earrings at www.stelladot.com/stoppopandrock).
2. Beyonce’s been here before. The year of Janet-Jackson nipple-gate, she performed the National Anthem – likely to similar effect. 
But all of that was dwarfed by Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugueMYzKWB4)
3. But in 2006, she and DC3 did a LIVE, a capella version at the NBA ALL-STAR GAME (not perfect but brilliant). 
So, she too – UNDENIABLY – has SUNG IT LIVE! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQRVTDrmHhM)
4. To my naked ear, I really think it was a MIX of her LIVE voice blended with a PRE-RECORDED PERFORMANCE TRACK.
5. STILL, some singers still take the risk. Kelly Clarkson and James Taylor’s folks say they sang LIVE!
TWITTER: @FirstLookMSNBC #Beyonce lip-syncing controversy
BEYONCE ROCKS! BEYONCE RULES! GO BEYONCE!
And so does Mara who has been instrumental in helping me keep my POP CULTURE ANALYSIS on…and popping! XO
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Right after the segment above, I had to high-tail it to Laguardia Airport to get to Nashville for a shoot.
I’ve been traveling a lot of late. The rental car company gave me a BIG RED TRUCK a la “Sanford & Son”. I’VE NEVER DRIVEN A BIG TRUCK LIKE THAT! 
First for everything! Went and did an interview and shot with my subject per the assignment from my Chicago client… and I hopped on a plane back home! I’ve been to Nashville many times but didn’t get any fun time in – except for a drive-thru fav fast food spot Krystal – a JONES of mine that’s become quite known: 
My Charlotte-based, childhood friend Bernadette Young sent me this as she was paging through a recent issue of UPTOWN Magazine (Charlotte edition). Angela Bronner Helm got my Savannah peeps peeping me!! 
Recent assignments have put me in front of some FAB company: Drew Barrymore who I got to interview on one day and the author Ayana Mathis whose book “The 12 Tribes of Hattie” is BELOVED by many! 
Work – overall – has been great as I’ve also just wrapped producing a tribute video for the National Association of Television Programming Executives (NATPE). 
BET’s own Chairman and CEO Debra Lee is being honored with the Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award in Miami next week! 
Total honor to work on the video and CONGRATS, DEBRA LEE! 
She is responsible for BET's impressive success of late - including "The Game". 
Also on tap: new, original program "Real Husbands of Hollywood" which has started off as quite the NEW HIT!
STEVE HARVEY
As I told you when referencing “Hearts of Gold” Charity benefit (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/11/19/golden-hearts.html), Rémy Martin® is a recurring client. 
I was excited to connect Rémy with the National Association of Black Journalists whose new Hall of Fame inductees received special premiums for their many jobs well done. As we are exploring other synergies, an opportunity came to me to see if Rémy would want to partner with “The Steve Harvey Show” to host a birthday toast for its host on the set of his show. AND VOILA! 
It all happened with the help of the awesome Rémy team. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEVE HARVEY! I've had the chance to host a half dozen "Disney Dreamers Academy" events at the National Associaton of Black Journalists' Convention (for which I am Immediate Past Chair of its Arts & Entertainment Task Force)… and I even got to share the stage with Mr. Harvey in Las Vegas: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/8/13/audacity-of-hope-and-dreams-in-vegas.html.
This past year, I was a guest of Disney at the "Disney Dreamers Academy" (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/3/15/dreams-and-desire.html). With this additional synergy (and Steve Harvey being so impressed with the setup and class of Rémy Cointreau), we’re told he wants to explore other synergies! AWESOME, STEVE!
RHONDA BARAKA
Remember I told you how GMC presented “Trinity Goodheart” at NABJ Philly a couple of years ago!? Well, it was written by my friend Rhonda Freeman-Baraka, a Marietta, Georgia-based screenwriter with NABJ roots! Rhonda really got her start as a college student at Talladega College AND with NABJ. As a college junior, she was chosen as NABJʼs first William Monroe Trotter intern. During the summer of 1983, she spent 10 weeks working at the National Leader newspaper in Philadelphia where she contributed several stories including a cover story on black mayors.
Prior to transitioning into film, Rhonda spent many years as a journalist, starting her own magazine, TAFRIJA and subsequently writing for Billboard Magazine, mtv.com, Creative Loafing and a host of other music and entertainment outlets (That’s when I met her). When Rhonda spoke at NABJ in Philly, her first film, “Pastor Brown,” was slated for a DVD release in 2012. 
And now her “Pastor Brown” is slated to air Black History Month on Lifetime (http://www.aenetworks.com/article/lifetime-celebrate-black-history-month-three-world-premiere-movies). The film follows a young woman (Salli Richardson-Whitfield) who returns home to take over as pastor of the family church, after her father’s death. She is forced to face her sordid past and mend fences with her son and sister. It premieres Saturday, February 16 at 8pm/eastern (www.aenetworks.com). GO RHONDA... 
and several other friends associated with this project: PASTOR BROWN is my friend and Morehouse brother Rockmond Dunbar's directorial debut! Also in the mix: Salli Richardson-Whitfield and my BFFs identical twin Tasha Smith.
ALSO WORTH NOTING that my Morehouse brother Korey Washington ---- one of my FIRST production colleagues from our SCHOOL DAZE ---- is the production designer on "Pastor Brown". Like Rockmond, Korey and I shared great times at The House. Korey is a production designer of note in the industry. His latest credits include: production designer for the TV-One sitcom "Belle's" which is premiering Feb 1st and starring Keith David - also in "Pastor Brown" (http://www.tvoneonline.com/shows/belles.html). Rockmond and Korey first worked together on my friend Malcolm Jamal's film "Dirty Laundry" about which I've chatted a lot on "...The Life of Riley..." (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/2/14/doing-laundry-with-maurice-jamal.html). 
Korey was the Art Director and Production Designer on that film (and my friend Nathan Hale Williams was a producer on it). Also, Korey was the production designer on "The Shaquille O'neal All Star Comedy Jam" on Showtime. And in the world of theatre, Korey has been tapped as Set Designer for Alabama State University's spring production of The Color Purple, which has performances during March. Theatre is Korey's first love and - along with other uses of the stage - the backdrop of how we first came to collaborate in many of Morehouse and Spelman's productions as well as our world-wide participation in the Morehouse College Glee Club. I LOVE when the already small world we are in gets smaller and all of our connectedness is so vibrantly represented in this industry - holding up quite resilliently, I'd say! CONGRATS to ALL!
LA CHANZE & MISS ROSS
Of course, this blog details how much I love DIANA ROSS! This space also provides a lot of evidence that I LOVE Tony-award-winning performer LACHANZE (for many reasons – including her “The Color Purple” premiere is the night Ant and I met, among many others).
Well, that fact that she just sent me a note to let me know that she is preparing for her next concert (and I came up as she and her team were discussing the set-list and theme, which is... WAIT FOR IT… "Love Hangover.. A Celebration of the music of Diana Ross"! WOW, right? LACHANZE is doing THREE nights in April at 54 Below. Stay tuned for ticket information: www.54below.com. 
LACHANZE said “knowing she’s your girl, I just had to share this with you. I'm so inspired and pumped up about it, I don't know what to do…” Of course, I’ll be letting her know my thoughts as I’m ever-the-expert-and-admirer when it comes to LA ROSS! LACHANZE went on to say “… I LOVE HER! And while so many other legends have been celebrated, I can't think of one honoring her…” I LOVE IT!
FOOD
Some yummy food has been attracting me of late: Famous Fish Market in Harlem on 145th and St. Nick….
by way of O’Hare Airport in Chicago, "Mighty Wings" (with fries and a sweet tea) from McDonald’s…
on a catch up with my nephew Herman, “Melba”!
ALWAYS GOOD!...
and in Iowa, some tasty pizza from “The Mill” with my crew ---- NONE OF THE AFOREMENTIONED AT THE EXPENSE OF MY 29-INCH WAIST SINCE HIGH SCHOOL! LOL!
GOOD WORK! GOOD FOOD! GOOD FAMILY & FRIENDS! Oh, THE LIFE OF RILEY!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Beyonce, DIANA ROSS, First Look, MSNBC, OWN, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Steve Harvey, Superbowl, lip sync
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115 References
golden hearts
GOLD
Have I been on this earth 42 years?
Well, the calendar says so! 
And as it always falls a few days before THANKSGIVING, I always get an annual nudge in the direction of GRATITUDE!
And I am GRATEFUL for so much, even though I couldn’t manage an escape from my work load this year.
It didn’t matter because (1) I am GRATEFUL for the work (as an independent personality/producer/writer) & 
(2) You know we still got it in! LOL!
Dinner here.
Cake there. 
Karaoke there. Karaoke here. 
My karaoke posse.
My guy. 
My family. 
My friends (AKA extended family).
My health. 
My girls.
My AMAZING GRACES! 
And a SMILE! 
What else do I need? 
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR WELL WISHES, LOVE, and UNYIELDING SUPPORT!
HEARTS
In the spirit of my birthday weekend, I was too excited to receive the rare and treasured gift of being able to hang out with two of my BFFs Carl Nelson and Sidra Smith. We attended the Hearts of Gold's 16th Annual Fall Fundraising Gala sponsored by Rémy Martin® on Friday, November 16th here in New York City at the Metropolitan Pavilion (http://www.heartsofgold.org/). 
And what a beautiful night it was! I was happy to have a hand in enrolling client Rémy Martin® to participate in this charity event which supports an organization that fosters sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. 
In the house: my buddy Rhonda Ross who brilliantly performed "Cabaret" for the so-themed event. 
The irony wasn't lost on her: Rhonda's mom Diana was expected to win the Oscar for her portrayal of Billie Holliday in "Lady Sings The Blues" in 1972. Instead, Liza Minnelli snagged the prize for "Cabaret". Rhonda and I had a giggle about it, her noting that other friends and family members were clutching their pearls at the song selection. 
Irony has never been lost on Miss Diana as she performed "Family" from the Broadway show "Dreamgirls" in her legendary 1983 Central Park shows (rain: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUtqo7_mEMY & shine: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtXS8R_iILs) at a time where she was believed to not be in love with the staged musical's loose interpretation of her own life story.
I got to discuss that tid-bit with the song's writer Henry Krieger a few years back when Ant was still a producer for STARZ! in Denver and he flew in to interview Mr. Krieger (and to celebrate our 1 YEAR TOGETHER! It'll be 7 YEARS come December): http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2007/12/3/i-have-a-dream-today.html). 
BUT I "DI"-GRESS, though I know my DIANA fans Andreas (in town from Germany) and Jim don't mind! LOL! 
Other hosts at HEARTS OF GOLD included my National Association of Black Journalists sister friend Soledad O'Brien and my friend Tamara Tunie (whose husband Gregory Generet was in the house. 
He is performing at SMOKE every Thursday, singing his beautiful and bold brand of jazz (with a little soul to boot). You should check it out: http://gregorygeneret.com/.
Of course, I referenced in my last blog entry Tamara's latest - including "Flight" with Denzel Washington: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/11/8/freedom-you-see.html). 
Hearts of Gold Founder Deborah Koenigsberger led a team that raised lots of money for this great cause. 
Special shout out to my girlfriends, WABC News 7 Divas Kemberly Richardson and career-long friend Sandra Bookman, anchor and host of "Here & Now" (http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/channel?section=resources/lifestyle_community/community&id=7108383), which recently produced a segment on Deborah and her Hearts of Gold work.
PURPOSE
Shout out to my friend and NYC's favorite socialite and businesswoman Bevy Smith.
She invited "...The Life of Riley..." out to celebrate the launch of "The Purpose Awards" with multicultural marketer/author, Teneshia Jackson Warner. 
She is quite the exemplar and grio on multicultural marketing and connecting with consumers through philanthropic endeavors. 
So many amazing friends (from my fellow journalists to entertainers and tastemakers I've admired for a long time) were in the room. 
I won't list them all...but you'll recognize some of them at this networking fiesta.
Beauty & Essex was the well-appointed back-drop where we ate on roasted carrot & avocado salad; whipped rocotta 'jewels on toast';
chipotle grilled shrimp; lobster tacos; grilled salmon; broccolini; filet mignon; yukon gold potato puree; petite cupcakes; and caramel mousse bombe.
I must mention the honorees - most of whom have touched the life of Riley:
1. "My Black Is Beautiful" (http://www.myblackisbeautiful.com/); TWITTER: @MBIBMovement; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/mbib
* Was great to produce one of its integrations for "The Wendy Williams Show": http://www.wendyshow.com/MyBlackIsBeautiful/, which got a hit in Black Enterprise: http://www.blackenterprise.com/money/giving-back-against-all-odds/.
2. Kathryn Finney (www.thebudgetfashionista.com); TWITTER: @KathrynFinney; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Kathryn-Finney-The-Budget-Fashionista/17011731381
3. Phillip Bloch (www.phillipbloch.com); TWITTER: @phillipbloch; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Phillip-Bloch (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/8/23/harlem-sparkle.html)
4. Chef Roble (www.chefrobleandco.com); TWITTER: @ChefRoble; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/pages/Roble/82813671947
(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/7/19/bright-daze-dark-knights.html)
5. Beverly Bond (www.blackgirlsrockinc.com); TWITTER: @BLACKGIRLSROCK; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK
(http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/1/27/black-tales.html)
6. Disney Dreamers Academy with Steve Harvey and Essence Magazine (www.disneydreamersacademy.com); TWITTER: @dreamersacademy; FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/DisneyDreamersAcademy
* Am excited to have attended and been a host of several programs for the Disney Dreamers Academy: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/disneys-dreamers-academy
Check out Teneshia's book "Profit with Purpose: A Marketer's Guide to Delivering Purpose-Driven Campaigns to Multicultural Audiences" (Order Direct And Save: http://www.paramountbooks.com/ - 888-787-2800 - TOLL FREE). 
And you can tweet accordingly: @egamiconsulting @teneshiajwarner #profitwithpurpose 
EYES
You recall, I hosted an awesome, recorded event at NYPR's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space in Manhattan on "Teacake's Legacy" (a la Zora Neale Hurston's "Their Eyes Were Watching God"). Here's a link to that awesome session: http://www.thegreenespace.org/events/thegreenespace/2012/sep/17/their-eyes-were-watching-god-teacakes-legacy/. 
Well, in the wake of that booking, synergy partner WNYC's The Big Read is making up the second phase of The Greene Space year-long celebration of "Their Eyes Were Watching God" (and the novel's 75 years since it was first published 75 years ago in September of 1937).
I hosted a BIG READ book club of sorts on the literary work - using clips from the campaign's original roll out which I also chronicled in "....The Life of Riley...": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/zora-neale-hurston) the production of the first American adaptation of the story as a radio play directed by acclaimed actor and playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson, starring Tony Award winner Phylicia Rashad, Roslyn Ruff, Brandon Dirden and Leslie Uggams, in NYPR's Jerome L. Greene Performance Space. 
During the month of November, WNYC's Community Engagement & Audience Development Department are hosting Big Read listening sessions in various communities. 
You can check out our website for where some of the others will take place and for more information: www.wnyc.org/events. 
Special shout out to one of the participants who won the raffle (Kindle Fire). 
Also a big THANKS to my National Association of Black Journalists/Garden Stare Association of Black Journalists' sister Henrietta Parker - an award-winning producer of content that matters (at NJN).
THANKS
Will miss dinner with The Porters this year. They have other plans. We’ll still be around though. I am excited to partake of a lovely meal at our hosts Danielle and Bernard’s lovely home in NJ. Recently - after working in an edit on a Saturday – an invitation did make its way to us a la The Porters (Mara Schiavocampo and Tommie Porter).
Mara felt like cooking and – VOILA! – we had a Saturday night dinner of chicken, potatoes & gravy, asparagus, homemade biscuits, and a sock-it-to-me cake! While commuting to their Harlem digs, I wondered “Is Mara going to bring ‘Amy Ruth’ or ‘Martha Stewart’?” Well, honey! She brought a mélange! And it was nothing short of DELICIOUS and delightful with some of my favorite people also in the house – including Ant; publicist Rachel Noerdlinger; her boo Hasaan; our in-house shrink-in-process Anwar along with his mentee; and Jamar! As always, THANKS PORTERS!
ALSO: For the latest on their offspring, Miss Nina: Sure, she's walking. Most babies eventually do that. But she's turning into a viral and TV sensation.
From a lullaby (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4360775780176) to a funny viral in which she let me co-star (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=4849253031802) to THE TODAY SHOW in designer couture (I didn't get the call for that gig! LOL!). Yes, it's true! Nina made her national TV debut on the Today Show - modeling some very fine threads! GO NINA: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49804995.
FUTURE
You all know I believe in inspiring and motivating the young folks as those before me did for me. I got a call from my friend Scott. He’s a Norfolk State University alum (and he is Sheryl Lee Ralph's right hand often when she throws her annual DIVAS: SIMPLY SINGING (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2009/10/12/divas-simply-singing-more.html)). 
He asked if Ant and I would speak to the NSU students who were coming to NYC on their annual media tour (I’ve entertained them before: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2010/12/1/i-recall-the-scenes-that-never-die.html). 
Was great to speak alongside NYC-socialite buddy Chasity Saunders, NSU alum who is modeling; acting; and presenting all over the place (http://www.chasitysaunders.com/)! 
Another alum: Zeke from “The Amazing Race” was in the house, dropping science on the kids.
Always good to speak to the young folks as I just did at FAMU when I was recently the Keynote Speaker for the closing ceremony of the NABJ Multi-media Short Course: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/10/10/full-circle.html.
One young man - among the NSU students - sent me a note today. In excerpt, he said "...I had to e-mail you and personally thank you for coming to speak to us. It meant more to me than anyone else. As a gay black man, I was so happy to meet you Friday and to meet someone with such an impressive body of work. You are everything I wish to be and everything I want to accomplish...." THE HONOR WAS MINE, I emailed back: "...to hear that I could be a role model to a self-actualized, young Black gay man is quite a GIFT (It's my BIRTHDAY, after all!). 
I wasn't always so certain that marrying my SEXUAL ORIENTATION to my CAREER was the right thing to do. But in my mid-20s, I'm thrilled that I channeled my AUTHENTIC, LOVING, VULNERABLE self to have ALL MY POSSIBILITIES show up... and I'm still working on the next level, yet feel equipped to do so because I'm TRANSPARENT - if just evidenced by some of my media impressions this year:
1. My blog "A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/ captures much of what those opportunities have looked like of late.
2. I’ve been bitten by the ON-CAM POP CULTURE ANALYST bug! BET’s DON’T SLEEP – HOSTED BY T.J. HOLMES reached out and booked me for one of its ‘evergreen’ tapings prior to its launch ( http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/9/28/arms-open-wide.html). 
The week I spoke to you and your fellow NSU classmates here in NYC, I was invited back to DON'T SLEEP for POST-ELECTION DAY talk - including chat about the first two states to pass same-sex marriage via a public vote (Maryland and Maine). Here’s a clip: http://www.bet.com/video/dont-sleep/highlights/2012/sleep-talkers-don-t-sleep-121-12021.html. Also, I was interviewed back-stage before the show: http://bet.us/TuU3Eb. I got to wax philosophical with journalist/cultural critic Toure, and rapper “The Game” who noted he’s a fan of my blog (WOW! LOL!). I’m assured return bookings from the producers.
3. ...and as I do more pop culture analysis, NBC News/The Grio has been calling on me - recently to weigh-in on the NAACP's endorsement of gay marriage: http://www.thegrio.com/politics/will-naacp-gay-marriage-resolution-change-black-hearts-and-minds.php; 
On New Year's Eve to 2011, I made my "debut" on THE TODAY SHOW (as on-cam 'pop culture analyst') inside a piece that NBC Digitial Correspondent Mara Schiavocampo did on the ball drop in New York's Times Square (http://216.117.188.141/PRiley/PatrickDemoSept2011.mov). And other moments: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXc6x5JlJuw.
4. My latest CNN.com piece on gay men and their best women friends published a couple of weeks ago: http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/07/living/gay-best-friend as well as the companion blog entry I blasted out the same day: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2012/8/7/my-girls.html.
This assignment that came in the wake of my contribution to CNN.com's Martin Luther King Jr. Monument coverage in October 2011: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/10/14/us/mlk-memorial-morehouse-glee-club/index.html.
AND THAT'S JUST THE WORK that books me INSIDE that piece. I'm booked far and wide... for much and more ---- and ALL AS I AM!" HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Bevy Smith, DIANA ROSS, Hearts of Gold, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Rhonda Ross, Soledad O'Brien, Steve Harvey, Tamara Tunie, Thanksgiving
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Dreams AND Desire
DISNEY’S DREAMERS ACADEMY WITH STEVE HARVEY AND ESSENCE MAGAZINE
I'm just back from Orlando… from an inspiring, fun, and relaxing time at the Disney's Dreamers Academy WITH STEVE HARVEY AND ESSENCE MAGAZINE (www.DisneysDreamersAcademy.com) and (www.twitter.com/dreamersacademy). 
And it was also so SPIRITUALLY RE-NOURISHING!
JUST A BLESSING, it was. 
As many of you know, Disney has been a client of sorts these last few years. 
Disney's booked me to host its Disney's Dreamers Academy presentation at the National Association of Black Journalists' annual convention since 2007.
It's always been a blast.
And each year, those presentations have been well-received: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/8/20/art-and-annual-therapy.html and http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/tag/nabj. 
Plus, what a chance to share the stage and interview some of my favorite people!
But this is the first year I actually attended the event (part-gift/part-work)...and what a MAGICAL WEEK!
See the many pix from the week: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150613624333737.388798.662073736&type=1&l=53ddcc286b THE BIGGEST THANKS EVER to Annette Gibbs and Carole Munroe for GETTING ME THERE!
And SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to DJ HELRIGGLE for TAKING THE BEST CARE OF ME EVER WHILE THERE!
I trust all the DISNEY REPS assigned were MAGICAL! 
But I had a GREAT GUY to keep me on task and to make sure my friends Tata, Ern, and I got everywhere we needed to get…on the fun side! 
We also got to hang with my NABJ sister Kelley Carter who is my successor as Chair of the NABJ A&E Task Force. 
And can I talk about the Savanna-view from my Animal Kingdom Lodge - Jamba House digs? Giraffe. Zebras. Wildlife. Oh, my! 
When all was wrapped, I cried a good cry of gratitude for participating in such a special event that allows kids from all over to explore their DREAMS… and to identify steps towards making those DREAMS come true.
In the house: Yolanda Adams; Jordin Sparks;
Michelle Ebanks (President, Essence Communications, Inc.); 
Mikki Taylor (Editor-at-Large, ESSENCE Magazine); 
Chef Jeff Henderson;
Kimberly Locke; 
my friend Lamman Rucker; 
CNN’s Soledad O’Brien;
Dr. Steve Perry; & many others inspired the DREAMERS C/O '12(and us all!).
Executive Champion of the Disney’s Dreamers Academy Tracey D. Powell made sure all had a GREAT TIME!
And it was great to spend time with journalist colleagues (and my cousin Brit Middleton who I just met for the first time at this event. She's the sister of my actual cousinKea's husband Roc! So, how cool that we bonded as she was covering the event for BET.com - a gig for which I recommended her on which she is ROCKING & POPPING! CONGRATS, BRIT! And YES! We will get dinner in soon! LOL!). Also in the house: a BLAST from my A-T-L past: 
My favorite radio personality Carol Blackmon (Haven't seen her in years... and she looks every-so the same: beautiful and youthful!); and Lorraine Sanabria Robertson, who was at LA FACE when I started out in the biz at "Good Day Atlanta".
So while her label was cranking out these new artists that are now household names (TLC, Toni Braxton, etc.), she was booking them on my show. Now, she's mommy-blogger with the most (www.mybrownbaby.com). Here's a clip she did on my friend Dr. Ian Smith while down there: http://mybrownbaby.com/2012/03/dr-ian-smith-dishes-healthy-living-at-disneys-dreamers-academy/. 
And though there were hundreds of DREAMERS on-deck (between the first class & the current class), I must shout out one young man. 
In a sea of BRIGHT and AWESOME kids, TEVYN COLE took some off-line time to chat me up on his pursuits (at the pristene nudging of his 'publicist' Keisha Pickett (Pickett Public Relations Group - www.pickettpr.com). You heard right! LOL!).
TEVYN is an alum of the program (Class of Disney’s Dreamers Academy 2008). And he is currently attending Eastern Michigan University – majoring in Theatre with a minor in Japanese.
I was born in Tokyo, coincidentally. His T-shirt company is “School Me Clothing” (www.schoolmeclothing.com). 
And as handling his handle goes, he is going to be interning at Disney this summer. CONGRATS, TEVYN & ALL OF THE DISNEY’S DREAMERS ACADEMY GRADUATES! And I want to make sure a special acknowledgement goes out to NABJ's own Demorris Lee who was the official NABJ rep at Disney's Dreamers Academy - to provide a journalism mentoring component to the program. 
We announced that at the last presentation I hosted in Philadelphia for NABJ. So, JOB WELL DONE, DEMORRIS! 
What an AWESOME program, and I’m so HAPPY to be a part!
And did I say how much fun I had?
And did I say how I am spoiled for all the park hopping and the NOT waiting in one line.
It was a mix of nostalgic thrills from the rides I remember from childhood. 
And then, came the rollercoasters - all of which kept the thrills coming!
I LOVE DISNEY!
STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE
Shout out to my theater-world BFF Marcia Pendelton who invited me (and my blog "A Day in the Life of Riley: pop culture & possibilities": http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/) to join other media folks for a meet-and-greet with the cast of the multi-culti revival of Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" - performances of which begin April 3, 2012 (Opening: April 22, 2012) at The Broadhurst Theatre (235 W 44th Street) - www.StreetcarOnBroadway.com. (ALSO: www.facebook.com/streetcar2012 & www.twitter.com/streetcar2012).
The stellar cast includes: Blair Underwood; 
stellar actress and wife of her former "Soul Food" co-star Boris, first cousin of my Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker (She remembered me from his home-going service back in 2005); 
Daphne Rubin-Vega; Wood Harris;
the LEGEND-ary Carmen De Lavallade (who was announced to the cast on this day); and more. 
Others on Team Streetcar: Producers Stephen Byrd and my Spelman sister Alia Jones (ALSO producers of Broadway's All-Black Revival of "Cat On A Hot Tin Roof" from a few years ago: http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2008/1/9/pat-on-a-hot-tin-roof.html);
director Emily Mann;
my dear friend Jacquie Lee (also working on some AWESOME corporate marketing synergies for the show's campaign - including an AMAZING sweepstakes of which she is the architect (in partnership with the New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation). The giveaway promises free trips - including a 7-day cruise, a weekend at the ESSENCE Music Festival, a trip to NYC to see 'Streetcar', etc.); etc. Also in the house (friends - old and new): one of my SHEROEs Terrie Williams; 
hairstylist extra ordinaire Leo Eley (who did Jacquie's long, silky tresses); TV correspondent Shannon Antonio Lanier ("Our World with Black Enterprise"); visual artist socrates marquez; 
journalist and actress J'Nara Corbin; celebrity photographer Ronnie Wright (http://facebook.com/ronniewrightphotographer); etc. P.S. The legendary Terence Blanchard has signed on to provide an original soundscape for the production. P.P.S. I'm working with "Team Streetcar" on some synergies for my beloved New York Association of Black Journalists and the National Association of Black Journalists. STAY TUNED
UNCF & MORE!
My friend Carl Nelson recently invited me to "A Celebration of the Independence of THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC" in Washington Heights at the BEAUTIFUL Hispanic Society of America. Wonderful space, art, and energy.
I – in turn – invited him to accompany me to the UNCF gala at the Marriott Marquis.
As a Morehouse Man, I was so proud to be in the room and grateful to PR friend Michelle Huff for the invitation.
The festivities included MC Bill Bellamy; Tuskegee's Golden Voices Concert Choir (which also performed during the 100-Years-of-Song celebration for the Morehouse College Glee Club back in October (http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2011/10/5/miss-ross-called-me.html); Dr. Michael Lomax (UNCF Prez ; CEO; & Morehouse Man!); 
our friend Ledisi (in performance excellence. She sang “What a Wonderful World” & “Alright”!); and a host of deserving students and inspiring alums.
Also in the house along with our friends Carl Nelson, Frank C. Matthews, and a Marriott Marquis ballroom full of folks! (This, while I was receiving tweets and texts that Miss Ross has just strutted out onto the stage in my former home Atlanta's Fox Theater for her sold-out one-nighter).
And why did I stumble into my nephew Herman Riley III? We hadn’t compared notes on our plans, but were both in the house.
Also, saw Morehouse's current and soon-outgoing President Dr. Robert Franklin;
Morehouse VP of Alumni Affairs Henry Goodgame, friends Bevy Smith;
Kierna Mayo;
Reggie Van Lee (who - you recall - recently had Miss Ross sing at his wedding! FOR REAL!); Susan Taylor; Khephra Burns; 
Simone Smalls; etc. 
And did I mention so many of my Morehouse brothers were in the house? Mike Bryant; Harris Bostic; Stephen Barr; and so many more. GREAT NIGHT!
MARIO VAN PEEBLES
Via my friends Jackie Bazan and Evelyn Santana: http://www.bazanpr.com/about/team_data/0001, I got a personal invitation from Mario Van Peebles to a recent, tastemaker screening of WE THE PARTY. I’d had quite the busy day in a day edit and the start of a night edit, but I was able to pop over to Dolby 88 Screening Room in time to say HI and see his new film which features Snoop Dogg, YG, The New Boyz, The Rej3ctz, The Pink Dollaz, Mario Van Peebles (New Jack City), Michael Jai White (Tyler Perry's Why Did I Get Married Too?), Salli Richardson-Whitfield I am Legend, Mandela Van Peebles (Baadasssss!), Simone Battle ("The X Factor"), Moises Arias ("Hannah Montana"), Orlando Brown ("That's So Raven") and Quincy Brown. WE THE PARTY will be in theaters on April 6, 2012. 
AND IT IS A MUST-SEE! http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/wetheparty/. The descriptor notes: “A revealing look at contemporary youth culture, writer-director Mario Van Peebles’ WE THE PARTY shows teenagers as they are, not as adults would like them to be. Set amidst the latest trends in music, dance and fashion, WE THE PARTY is a colorful, cutting-edge comedy set in an ethnically diverse Los Angeles high school during America’s first black president. The film focuses on five friends as they deal with romance, money, prom, college, sex, bullies, facebook, fitting in, standing out, and finding themselves. Evoking such classic teen comedies as The Breakfast Club and House Party but with an attitude and style all its own, WE THE PARTY captures the hopes, confusion, challenges and dreams of today’s teenagers as they plunge headlong into an uncertain future.” I TRULY ENJOYED IT! GREAT JOB! 
Oh! Filmmaker Malcolm Lee (“The Best Man”) and his lovely wife were in the house. We’re all friends of friends from New Rochelle. SO, THIS IS WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO: TWEET @MarioVanPeebles & @WETHEPARTYMOVIE and tell him @patarack sent you. Be sure to LIKE: https://www.facebook.com/wethepartymovie. And TAKE THE WHOLE FAMILY out to see WE THE PARTY – it’s truly a FUN, ENLIGHTENING, FRESH, INSPIRING, and ENTERTAINING film that has SO MUCH HEART! It’s HOT & SEXY, too, but in a family-friendly way.
OMAR SALAM
Shout out to Carl Nelson for the invite to SUKEINA Premiere Show (Fall 2012 Collection Designer, Omar Salam) at Four Seasons Hotel.
B. Smith, fashion writer extraordinaire Walter Greene, and a host of others from the FAB NYC socialite/tastemaker set as well as our Norwegian girlfriend Elisabeth Blix - right off of a flight from Norway. BEAUTIFUL line!
Afterwards, Carl led us to The Empire Hotel Rooftop for the Fashion Presentation of A.Z. Araujo.
CHARLES REESE & JIMMY BALDWIN!
Special shout out to my multi-talented Morehouse brother Charles Reese whose outreaches to me for some blog coverage managed to hit me when “…the Life of Riley…” wasn’t due to come out and/or when the real life of Riley was too busy to accommodate. 
But fortunately, what he’s promoting is EVERGREEN! This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the passing of American writer and civil rights activist, James Baldwin. To commemorate his legacy, The Charles Reese Experience is proud to announce the book publishing of the critically acclaimed Off-Broadway play, James Baldwin: A Soul of Fire. The short stage play, written by late playwright and Emmy Award Nominee, Howard B. Simon (1962-2000) was published by Azaan Kamau and Glover Lane Press, who partnered with Charles Reese to edit and guide the project.
Reese is an original cast member of the play and also serves as Executive Curator of the Howard B. Simon Literary Canon. In Charles’ release, he notes, “The publishing of this book version of the play that focuses on a lesser known historical moment in Baldwin’s life will ultimately serve as a powerful tool in re-igniting James Baldwin’s fiery spirit into the 21st century. Additionally, the book project will also re-visit the literary legacy of my Morehouse College classmate, the late playwright, Howard B. Simon who gave me this Baldwin play as a birthday gift.” Also included in the book is a special foreword by David Leeming (Baldwin’s Biographer and former Secretary), coupled with an afterword by original actor and Tony Award Nominee, Forrest McClendon (Scottsboro Boys). 
Reese’s own heartfelt encounter with Baldwin can also be found inside the book, written during his recent visit to France where Baldwin spent his last days. Kamau also designed the cover to showcase Baldwin’s lineage to the Civil Rights movement, it consists of 2000 tiny images of pinnacle moments during that era, circa 1963. To promote the book, Reese has developed the “Salon Conversation Series: Tribute to James Baldwin…25 Years Later (SCS)”, an engaging and entertaining program designed for educational institutions to get up close and personal with Reese, David Leeming and Forrest McClendon. Social/Civic groups and cultural organizations are also encouraged to experience this special art and culture program. The first book signing took place at the end of January; however, Charles says “our goal is to sell 25,000 books in 2012 across the globe -- one city, one state, and one country at a time in honor of James Baldwin…25 years later”. To learn how you can bring “The Salon Conversation Series to your city, please email inquiries to charlesreese63@gmail.com. You can also visit http://www.facebook.com/thecharlesreeseexp and http://www.JamesBaldwinASoulOnFire.com to stay connected to all things Baldwin.
ABOUT JAMES BALDWIN: A SOUL ON FIRE: A two character play which re-imagines what happens when writer/activist James Baldwin invites Lorraine Hansberry, Harry Belafonte, and Lena Horne to a round table discussion on race relations with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy on May 24, 1963 in New York City, three months before the historic March on Washington. 
This uniquely structured play explores Baldwin’s innermost passions. David DeWitt of the New York Times declared, “The best sort of theatrical biography: the sort that thoroughly entertains. With humor, style and raw emotion, ‘A Soul on Fire,’ embraces its chosen territory with enthusiasm.”
THE CHARLES REESE EXPERIENCE: Is an inter-generational explosion of art, culture, history and entertainment as seen through the eyes of actor, visionary and cultural architect for public engagement, Charles Reese. Our mission is to preserve and nurture the historical legacy of lesser known and forgotten literary treasures of the African/ African-American Diaspora and people of color around the globe. Utilizing existing and emerging media, our purpose is to develop, produce, and promote special programs and events to ignite the spirit to resurrect a "New Global Cultural Arts Renaissance.” Our main goal is to simply tell our stories and share our common experiences with dignity, insight, humor, tragedy and the triumph of the ancestors whose spirits have never been broken. Call the production office at (213) 245-6658 for more details.
THE LIFE OF RILEY
in Blair Underwood, Broadway, Disney's Dreamers Academy, Mario Van Peebles, PATRICK'S POP(UP)DATES/TESTIFY/PR, Steve Harvey, Streetcar Named Desire, UNCF, WE THE PARTY
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