This and That!

This has been a very busy week for me. Not only is my real estate business jumping...yes even in Manhattan but we produced two events this week.

First we want to thank all of the guests of the "Hip Hop in Harlem" event. Another amazing turnout of a variety of invited people who showed up to support the Ali Forney Center for gay & lesbian homeless youth.

If you were not able to attend you can support this worthwhile organization that works so hard to make sure that many of the these homeless teens have somewhere to live with dignity. Donate here.

Terrance Dean was on hand to read a passage from his book "Hiding in Hip Hope..." and he sold and autographed his book. He raffled off one book for a lucky winner. The event was hosted at the N Boutique located on 116th Street in Central Harlem. This high end duplex boutique with a outdoor patio is owned by three African Americans.

We were honored by the presence of Singer/Actress/Songwriter Alyson Williams who raffled off two tickets and drinks to her weekly Tuesday show "Alyson Williams & Friends" at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar on 72nd Street in NYC. Donations came from a variety of giving individuals: The Spirit of New York offer two tickets to their nightly dinner cruise, New Concept Travel donated a $500.00 travel voucher, Nubian Dreams resident massage therapist, Mkono, offered two free sessions, fire island blackout offered a 60 minute massage from "I've Got Your Back" Therapeutic Body Massage Company, Walker Communications offered up two tickets to the hot Broadway production of Laurence Fishburne's
"Thurgood"at the Booth Theatre 222 West 45th Street/Shubert Alley (bet 7th/8th Ave), James Saunders offer two tickets to his upcoming "White Party Moonlight Cruise" on August 1 and we also had a Nubian Dreams Cruise Sun Pass up for grabs. All that for just $5.00

The beverages were provided by JTE Spirits who served an interesting cognac and a mix of wine and cognac that we delicious. JTE Spirits is an African American distributor. The buffet was prepared by the chef magic of Kazan who donated her services to this humble endeavor. Rod Patrick Risbrook was our videographer for the evening. We will posting clips on You Tube soon. Check out all of our sponsors for the raffle here.

The night after was the homegoing celebration for Kevin G. Mason who was a well loved member of the community. I was asked to produce the services and the wake and tried to make sure he had a tribute that reflected the man. The services will posted on You Tube soon for all of his friends that didn't even know he passed. Kevin was only 54 and just dropped and passed on in a lobby of a building. Goes to show how fast we can move on. It's best to let the ones you love know your feelings before it is too late. The family refused flowers and requested people send money to the Ali Forney Center in Kevin Mason name. I salute the family for that gesture.


Finally I got to relax last night and stumbled on to the sneek peak of the new Usher CD, Here I Stand. This is one of the best CD's I have heard in years. My brief review of the CD will be posted on an upcoming GBM News edition. Stay tuned.


Stay tune for the next and final Nubian Dreams Lounge on June 29th from 6pm-11pm on Pride Sunday at the Taj Lounge. Mark your calenders.