A DAY IN "THE LIFE OF RILEY"

AmeriCAN

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

#AllLivesMatter

Nate Parker – Director/Writer.

James Lopez – Producer/Story By.

Kay Madsen – Director of Photography.

Valerie Bleth Sharp – Producer.

Mo McRae – Producer/Actor.

Hernany Perla – Producer.

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

Song by J.Cole – Be Free

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

Miss Jessie’s ROCKS

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

A FEW FUN CLIPS:

http://bit.ly/loveneverfelt_plr

http://bit.ly/mica_plr

http://bit.ly/missjessies_plr

While I Yet Live

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

Doe Fund

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

NABE

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

MONEY MINUTE

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

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

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

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

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

 ALL STAR KARAOKE

Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley is back! FALL 2014 SERIES kicked off with MULTI-EMMY-AWARD-winning Mara Schiavocampo (who chose our night as after-set for her New York Women in Communications honor - her beautiful parents and husband Tommie Porter in tow) + so many greats - including our ELLA MOORE - child of NABJ fam/New York Times reporter Nikita Stewart and new stepdad Brian Henderson - my NABJ little brother and dear friend. My biggest GIFT OF ALL: my FIRST COUSIN Gloria Arivnger! TOTAL SURPRISE! TOTAL JOY! http://bit.ly/mschia_ask - #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack p.s. AND AS ALWAYS, a shout out to sponsor Joseph Riley Land/ Riley/Land Gourmet Pantry... and all who came out: Jamar Dunn, MAKEUP by MERRELL, Merrell Hollis, Rick Grant, G'wan by Charon Richardson, and Ashley Fettig who is doing boot camp workouts for another of tonight’s guests, Plus-size Princess‘s own Cece Olisa who I had the chance to produce in a “Wendy Williams” segment earlier this year:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgCMC_6UjAA). AND A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to my ALL STAR KARAOKE team – including producer Bernice Wooden and consultant Derrick Hemphill. And ERIC on sound! #billiesblack #allstarkaraoke #PSPfit bootcamp

G’wan by Charon

On the night before karaoke, it was great to hang out with my friend Charon Richardson who is a fashion designer responsible for the brand G'wan by Charon: http://youtu.be/zpAdE8KtYPs.  Her Google Hangout is FABOO – produced to enlighten and inspire women to live their lives in a FABOO realm while creating a fun and informative space filled with laughs, entertainment and motivation. Last night’s weekly installment featured my girl Tonya Giddens (https://www.facebook.com/MsFullFiguredHBCUPageant) and me – promoting the Fall launch of Billie's Black Presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley (https://www.facebook.com/events/1520785818162290/) - produced this Fall by Charon’s producer, Bernice Wooden! THANKS BERNICE! YOU’RE THE BEST! And a SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to fashion producer/consultant Deshawn D Colbert whose hospitality was just what the doctor and the “hungry guests” ordered! LOL! CHARON ROCKS! The hour flew by – and will, even when you play it back: http://youtu.be/zpAdE8KtYPs. AS always… THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #Harlem #GwanSYL #Fashion #TV #Producer #Host #Model #beautyQueen #HBCU #MissFFHBCU #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

NYC CULTURE

SUNDAY didn’t get TELEVISED or PHOTOGRAPHED… but it was a REVOLUTION (of sorts). Shout out to Marcia Pendelton for inviting Ant and me out to the new play at the PUBLIC by Pulitzer-prize winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks: FATHER COMES HOME FROM THE WARS: PARTS 1, 2, & 3: https://www.facebook.com/publictheater. Ant’s and my fav couple du jour Brian and Nikita (Stewart) Henderson joined us – providing a pre-game of waffles, extra crispy bacon, crawfish grits, scrambled eggs, and a bunch of stuff that made you go YUM at their lovely home. Was also GREAT to see Lola Ogunnaike - Co-Host on ARISE ENTERTAINMENT 360 where I get to Guest Co-Host often as well as talk Broadway and pop culture. Look for me in the coming couple of weeks to dish with Lola and co-host Shannon Lanier! Always a blast over there! #ARISE360 From there, Ant and I got to catch up with a couple of our peeps in Brooklyn – namely Dawn Murphy Riley and my favorite designer of all time: MOSHOOD! We joined Brian and Nikita one more time on an invitation from another fab couple - Brad and Lyndsay Christian: an invitation to enjoy TWEET and a host of wonderful R&B singers at SOB for a night that was music to our ears – especially when – in addition to her prepared set - TWEET freestyled through a dozen or more of her hit songs and fan favorites! GREAT SUNDAY!

LOOK AHEAD

And ths week: I wrap two months Executive Producing a special project about which I’ll tell you lots more when it is ready to be seen in 2015-16;

PLEASE DON'T FORGET to check out WELLS FARGO PRESENTS THE NEW ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE which I host - episodes rolling out through the top of 2015:http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute.

AND BILLIE’S BLACK PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE WITH PATRICK L. RILEY will be in the house everyTuesday through the end of the year! For Reservations (RECOMMENDED), please call 212 280 2248 https://www.facebook.com/events/1520785818162290/   #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

 p.s. BONUS SNIPPET - https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10152571287798737&set=vb.662073736&type=2&theater - from Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley – Kl Kane and J'Nara Corbin request PAPARAZZI by Lady Gaga. So, ALL STARs Mara Schiavocampo - Good Morning America's own correspondent, Ella Moore (daughter of Nikita Stewart - my NABJ BFF Brian Henderson's wife), and I deliver accordingly! PLEASE BE SURE TO JOIN US IN HARLEM EVERY TUESDAY from 7p to 10p! We are having a BLAST! - http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/10/29/say-amen.html

ALL STAR KARAOKE – FALL 2014

Billie's Black PRESENTS ALL STAR KARAOKE with Patrick L. Riley is back up NEXT TUESDAY for our FALL 2014 run! For a look back at SPRING 2014, click here: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1TUj2SKo8nvTnjf0jEdg0xJuFj25kqBM! MEANWHILE, please let us know you're coming: https://www.facebook.com/events/1520785818162290/ #allstarkaraoke #billiesblack

WELLS FARGO PRESENTS THE NEW ADVOCATE MONEY MINUTE

MY DEBUT as HOST on WELLS FARGO presents THE NEW MONEY MINUTE! Federal vs. State - Staying up-to-date on the protections and opportunities available for same-sex couples. http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/16/federal-vs-state

HERE’S OUR PROMO: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing%E2%80%A6-new-advocate-money-minute

FIX MY CHOIR

Got to Exec Produce DC3's Michelle Williams and Deitrick Haddon yesterday! I grew even more impressed by the Grammy winner, after working with her. She and the dapper Deitrick are super nice and very professional! After a beast of a week and the wrap of our shoot, they energized me to join them at their network’s launch party for their FIX MY CHOIR show for Oxygen channel! It starts November 5^th! And how excited was I to be able to enjoy the great food, cocktails, and ANOINTED SINGING with my brothers in the media business: TV reporter (CBS 2 and more): Don Champion and GRIO/MSNBC’s own Chris Witherspoon. GREAT AMEN to my OH HAPPY DAY! #FixMyChoir

PLATFORM 2014

Shout out to some cool intel my dear NABJ sister friend, Elise Durham sent my way on PLATFORM 2014. Elise is Media Relations Manager/Strategic Partnerships Strategist at my alma mater Morehouse College which will be hosting – along with Georgia Tech – this landmark conference. Guest speakers like Rev. Jesse Jackson, Janelle Monae, Van Jones, Ralph de la Vega, and many more  will explore diversity in tech – today’s greatest challenge and opportunity in the innovation economy. Last night, HBO was the back-drop for a presentation that brought out Ant and many of my industry siblings – including Nikita Stewart Henderson (New York Times), her hubby/one of my BFFs Brian Henderson, my LIFE OF RILEY/ALL STAR KARAOKE team Derrick Henderson and Bernice Henderson, NYABJ Prez Mike Feeney, and – remember Zhane? – Renee Neufville – poised to present some new, long-anticipated music to us very soon, hopefully including a pop by Billie’s Black presents All Star Karaoke with Patrick L. Riley. Just sayin’! Fun evening. For ticket information, please visit: http://platform.ticketleap.com/platform-summit-2014/ and for additional info, please click on: http://platform.org/#!/mission. P.S. My world-traveling BFF Camille is in town! Got to get a glimpse of her last night! Will catch up further as the week goes on… XOXOXOXOX #PLATFORM2014

CAMILLE and BLEMISHED LIGHT

My friend Carl Nelson invited Camille, Ant, Bernice, and me to an Opening Night Feature at the Chelsea Film Festival. It's called "Blemished Light" at SVA Theatre. Deep film. This is the Director Raj Amit Kumar. After, there was a Q&A moderated by Simone Boyce from FOX5 NY. The deep film inspired a compelling dialogue about the theme of "unfreedom" explored in the story lines. TRAILER: http://vimeo.com/107063541. FOR MORE INFO: http://www.blemishedlight.com/  AND GET OUT TO SEE SOME INDIE FILMS: http://chelseafilm.org/blemished-light/.  #CFFNY2014   Deep film. This is the Director Raj Amit Kumar. After, there was a Q&A moderated by Simone Boyce from FOX5 NY. The deep film inspired a compelling dialogue about the theme of "unfreedom" explored in the story lines. TRAILER: http://vimeo.com/107063541. FOR MORE INFO: http://www.blemishedlight.com/  AND GET OUT TO SEE SOME INDIE FILMS: http://chelseafilm.org/blemished-light/.  #CFFNY2014

             Camille came to see us again. We made her feel at home with karaoke and Mexican dinner at Cancun Restaurant NYC! And we got to spend some other fun time together during her trip – including a family reunion at Kevin Harry's portrait E-Zine launch. Simply "KH"! Camille got to reconnect to Tata! And Tata got to see old friend Quincy Ballon. And so many dear friends were in the house that night – all to celebrate Kevin Harry’s inspired, new portraiture project. We were in SOHO at Miss Lily's – prior to which I got to have an impromptu toast with my two-time Tony-award-winning internet-wifey/fellow NABJ baby, Mara Schiavocampo - now GMA's own.    MOn ne bonus Camille night, Ant and I went to the BRONX ACADEMY OF ART AND DANCE for a HALLO-WE aRQ po!arty our Ydear lamb Raul R Rivera threw! #ENDLESSLOVE, MISS ROSS      

PRESSURE

Ant’s sis Bri Cole was in town again for client video shoot: THE Pressure Busspipe's latest! She, Anthony Harper, Bernice Wooden, Charon Richardsonn, and I hooked up after our days: burger joint at 8th Street and Insomnia Cookies. YUM!  

IRTS

The 2014 IRTS HALL OF MENTORSHIP DINNER is tonight and my recurring client BET asked me to produce a tribute video for BET Network’s Chairman and CEO Debra Lee. Since 2009, recurring client - BET’s Creative Services – has assigned me a range of cool projects. I’m always excited to work on a video that encapsulates a person’s life, career, and accomplishments. A few years ago, I produced her SILVER ANNIVERSARY salute at BET. Last year, I produced the tribute to which my friend Mara Brock Akil introduced – honoring Debra Lee at NATPE with The Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award. At 30:15, take a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwkPFbu2X4  IT’S GALA SEASON!

I just got back from L.A. and am hitting the ground running on that special project I’m Executive Producing (More details on that at the top of 2015):http://thelifeofriley.squarespace.com/rilys-blog/2014/10/13/jakki-is-back.html MEANWHILE, I find out today that the promo for an on-line show I’m co-hosting is up and on-line. THAT’S RIGHT! I’m HOSTING THIS ONE! Introducing…The New Advocate Money Minute: This season explores LGBT money issues with small business, retirement, home lending and more: http://www.advocate.com/business/advocate-money-minute/2014/10/10/introducing%E2%80%A6-new-advocate-money-minute We’ll continue to launch a new video within the channel every 2 weeks through December. AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT! #moneyminute #wellsfargo #advocate #thenewadvocatemoneyminute

NEW SHOWBIZ

Executive Producing a special project would lead me to L.A. We just had a week of work and two days of shoots. (I’ll share more when time for it to be viewed in 2015-16). Awesome project that you'll all get to see Meanwhile, where I go – so does THE LIFE OF RILEY:

NATE PARKER

My Welcome to L.A. hang ended up being hosted by my friend Ikechukwu Waldhaus and friend Nate Parker ("Red Tails", "Great Debaters", and more!). They chose the W Hollywood for our catch up! Nate Parker has some great updates that I'll be sharing soon! CONGRATS, BRO!

DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING

My friend V Scott Hamilton (Sheryl Lee Ralph Ralph's DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING) took me to say HI to Sheryl Lee Ralph at her beautiful home (OMG! No pix but Sheryl Lee Ralph was FIERCE! Lol!). We had lots to catch up on – including – this weekend: DIVAS SIMPLY SINGING.

BETTER BROTHERS

 Scott also hosted a wonderful event with BETTER BROTHERS L.A. – a happy hour at McCormicks w/friends - including Derek Lafayette and Thornell Jones Jr: www.betterbrothersla.com.

ACE HOTEL

My Harpo BFF Itika then scooped me up and took us to Ace Hotel for rooftop music! L.A. is cute (enough)! LOL!

KIKI AND TITI

"Jakki's Back!": Taylor-Richardson that is! My BFF from our days producing on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" (She currently is Producer at "Queen Latifah" whose stylist Tim Snell joined her! I'm a BIG FAN of him and his work - including 13 years of styling the late, GREAT Whitney Houston).

My top secret L.A. assignment would allow me a hang with she and some uber-special peeps (I took an Uber tonight in L.A.! Cute, right? Lol!).

Shout out to those who schlepped to Culver City/Rush Street Restaurant to see me:

my other Harpo BFF Itika (mktg exec extraordinaire); media exec producer/friend Nicole Childers;

actress/entertainment diva Toni; astrologer Wayne Gonzalez;

and a special shout out to PR friend and Spelman sister Tosha Whitten Griggs who tried to make it but had an alumni event - all good folks and all my peeps! Love you ALL! XO

 AROMA

After late wrap, did impromptu bday set at Aroma Bakery Cafe with old ATL buddy Derrick Lafayette hosted by old NYC buddy Keith Wooten: my industry brother friends! Happy BDAY Dela! L.A. is still poppin'.

OIL CAN HARRY

L.A! Great times! "Oil Can Harry's" gave us 70s/80 's music; karaoke (I did Endless Love); and Harpo besties Lesia Minor and Itika + my Diana BFF Curtis! Plus, my Delandis - Broadway performer and TV host extraordinaire! XO

GOODBYE LA

Dear friend Stacey Antonio capped off my L.A. trip with a great catch-up breakfast. This, before I had to get back to NYC! THANKS L.A. ET AL!

THINSPIRED

Congrats to my internet wife, Mara Schiavocampo. The cover of her upcoming book is done and she is ready to go! I'm very proud of her! #‎THINspired ‪#‎Dec30

LEON & THE PEOPLES

GOOD TIMES at LEON & THE PEOPLES LIVE in HARLEM USA at Red Rooster Harlem! Did LEON hand me that mic during his show? LOL! Anthony Harper's sister Bri Cole is Leon’s publicist and Victor E Lewis is the manager. Sabrina also reps Michael Jai White and Frenchie Davis among others! After Leon's Red Rooster show, we called on nearby Sylvia's Restaurant, the Queen of Soul food, for a later night bite. We were seated next to this one... LOVE ARETHA! Shout out to my boo Sidra Smith for popping by and our hangout buddies du jour Bernice Wooden and Charon Richardson of G'wan by Charon fame! ! #uptownsaturdaynight

THE ZERO DEGREE ZOMBIE ZONE

Great Sunday in Harlem to celebrate my friend Patrik Henry Bass and illustrator Jerry Craft on "The Zero Degree Zombie Zone" Patrik's 1st children's book (ages 8-12) from Scholastic. My girlfriend Robin Stone hosted the well-appointed set in her beautiful brownstone - filled with some of my favorite people - including NABJ sister friends Katti Gray and author of "The End of Fashion", Teri Agins whose new book "Hijacking The Runway: How Celebrities Are Stealing the Spotlight from Fashion Designers" hits stores this month! Always good to connect with my journalism peeps under one roof! Congrats Patrik! #blackboysread #ZeroDegreeZombieZone

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, J’NARA!

Was GREAT to CELEBRATE the FOREVER YOUNG, J’NARA CORBIN at The Celllar – below The Bryant Park Hotel. CHEERS, MY FRIEND! XOXOXO

JEHRIME CHADWICK

Okay, how EXCITED and IMPRESSED was I to be combing through UPTOWN Magazine and page turning to my friend Jehrime Chadwick - actor/model to KEEP WATCHING!

GMC cast this ad VERY WELL! CONGRATS, JEHRIME! KEEP GOING, MY FRIEND!

AFRICAN AMERICAN LITERARY AWARDS

I got the chance to host the Miss Harlem Shake 2014 Contest for Musa Jackson Productions last month. He's asked me now to host the 10th Annual African American Literary Award Show on Sunday, October 26, 2014. Please come join us! I'm EXCITED!