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Patrick L. Riley is choosing his best life
Patrick L. Riley came out to his family and the world on national television – The Oprah Winfrey Show! He was scared and brave and has lived his best life ever since. Start living your best life by paying off your credit card debt for free 7-Step Credit Card Debt Reduction Here.
Meet Patrick L. Riley
“Certain blocks (in Harlem), you might want to look at that twist… But the truth is, I don’t have to decipher anymore. “We know there’s still hate everywhere and everywhere, but I don’t have that fear anymore.” Today’s guest; Patrick L. Riley is ready to pull you out of that shame spiral and help you see life through a lens of opportunity and positivity by sharing his journey as a successful gay black man in the public eye.
Patrick L. Riley is an independent personality and author based in the New York City area. He made a name for himself as a field producer Oprah from 1998 to 2012, and he continues to do freelance assignments for OWN as well as independent projects in pop culture, entertainment and human interest. While studying mass communications at Morehouse College, Patrick learned the ropes of working on both sides of the camera and worked in local media before moving to the national stage. He has had the opportunity to produce stories about a number of American icons including Diana Ross, President LBill Clinton, Beyoncé, Mary Tyler Moore and Master P.
Patrick has received recognition for his work from the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Atlanta Association of Media Women. He chairs the Arts & Entertainment Task Force of the National Association of Black Journalists and was recently named Volunteer of the Year by the New York Association of Black Journalists. Today, Patrick shares his inspiring story about coming out to an unruly family, the challenges he faced with money, and the decisions that contributed to his success. Be inspired to stop your “outdated inner notes” and promote success in the LGBTQ community at large!
Listen to Patrick’s amazing story Queer money®:
Topics covered with Patrick
How Patrick got into field production
- Studied mass communications at Morehouse College
- Initial interest in reporting
- He realized early on that he had a passion for pop culture, entertainment and human interest
How Patrick came out “in layers.”
- Raised in the Bible Belt, youngest son of Air Force Chief Master Sergeant
- Came to close friends first
- Shared with a conservative family in my mid-20s
- The family had no interest in what love looked like to me.
The mixed reaction from Patrick’s family to the publication of his story on national television
- In 2005, he produced the segment “When I Knew I Was Gay” for Oprah
- He reluctantly agreed to share his own testimony
- Family and friends did not respond
- Brother honest in his shame
- Proud nephew, “sign of the future”
The challenges Patrick faced as a successful gay black man
- Communicating with loved ones about life (small amount of honesty)
- Make decisions when family members ask to borrow money
- Overspending to fill emotional gaps (retail therapy, travel)
Patrick’s advice for the LGBTQ community in America today
- Trust that the consciousness of society is “on our side.”
- Count your blessings (e.g., progress on marriage equality)
- Stop Your “Outdated Internal Records”
- Consider mentoring with organizations like Live Out Loud
- Strive for activism in your industry
- Support young LGBTQ talent in your field
Patrick’s guide to avoiding the mistakes he made early on
- Save money (the journey doesn’t take forever)
- Avoid the “Disease of Pleasing You”
- Choose reciprocity if Plutonic friends expect your constant availability
What Patrick “did right” (contributions to his success)
- Keep your eyes on the prize
- Stay ambitious and focused
- Assess your situation and take risks strategically
Patrick’s approach to promoting success in the LGBTQ community at large
- Promote compassion among allies
- Be clear with unruly relatives if you can
- Stronger individuals = stronger community
- Donate time and resources to LGBTQ causes
Patrick’s Blog, A Day in the Life of Riley
- Platform to digest life, career
- Partnerships with brands (A-listers, underserved, divas)
- Attracts camera work and event hosting
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We are David and John Auten-Schneider, the Debt Free Guys and host of the Queer money® Podcast. We help queer people (and allies) live fabulous and non-fabulous broke lives by helping them 1) pay off credit card debt, 2) become part- or full-time entrepreneurs, and 3) save and invest for retirement.