The First Couple

I was fortunate to be invited to an exclusive kickoff reception in Atlanta for the upcoming 2nd Annual Turks and Caicos International Film Festival. Approximately 700 people gathered at the Sun Trust Plaza Building on Saturday night to enjoy cocktails, hors d'oeuvers, a little conversation and a lot of people watching.

Among the celebs in attendance: The Honorable Michael Misick, Premiere of the Turks and Caicos Islands, with his First Lady, LisaRaye Misick (both, in photo with me!); The Honorable Andrew Young, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations; Emmy Award winning television journalist Angela Robinson; Ronnie DeVoe of New Edition, actress and author Jasmine Guy, Executive Director of the TCIFF; Da Brat (did she really need to bring an entourage?), rapper and LisaRaye's half sister; and Bill Vaughan, publisher of the Tasty Clips and Poli-Sigh electronic newsletters. I truly don't know how I get invited to these A-List events (actually, I do but saying I don't sounds so much more interesting, don't you think?) but I sure feel blessed!

It's not often that a person of humble beginnings in northwest Detroit gets to hang out and meet the First Couple of an island territory. The Turks and Caicos islands fall under the British monarchy. Queen Elizabeth II appoints a governor as her representative and the Premier (formerly Chief Minister) runs the government.

Michael Misick came to Atlanta in January 2005 to accept a Trumpet Awards honor. I remember meeting him at the sponsors reception that Sunday. A very distinguished gentleman who arrived with all the pomp and circumstance of a head of state. He was seated two tables away from the party I was with. Also at his table was Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth, a former contestant on The Apprentice who became a household name during that show's first season. My date for the evening was my dear friend and Godsister, Angela Robinson. We commented to each other that Omarosa appeared to be on a mission to secure a new husband before she officially got rid of her current one. Omarosa and her husband of five years, Aaron Stallworth, divorced in June 2005.

Her plan might have worked had Misick not met LisaRaye the following night at the awards dinner. This photo of me with LisaRaye, which made all of my male co-workers extremely jealous, was taken at that dinner. Do I need to say any more about why the then honorable chief minister instantly became the honorable chief smitten-ster?

Michael and LisaRaye were engaged by September and planned a December wedding. That was postponed due to scheduling conflicts in both of their busy schedules. April 8, 2006 was the big day and from what I saw on Saturday, they appear to be in true wedded bliss.

Congrats to the Misicks! Oh, and happy belated birthday to LisaRaye. She apparently was so into being the dutiful First Lady at Saturday's event, the fact that it was also her milestone 40th birthday was never mentioned. You go, girl!

Oh, Good Evening!