Usher's foundation was started four years ago with the goal of teaching kids about business and responsibility through working in a hands-on type of environment.
That blessing is being made real in the form of Usher's foundation, Usher's New Look Inc.
Today, the revamped organization has gone from a grant-making entity to an operation that is more hands on.
Usher calls it his "most challenging role yet."
Beginning in Usher's home city of Atlanta, he and his foundation are currently sponsoring a signature resident camp at Clark Atlanta University.
Camp New Look offers 150 minority kids, who are aspiring to pursue a career in singing, dancing or sports, with two weeks of education, training and support.
On Friday night, July 8th 2005, at New York's exclusive Club Capitale, tennis star Andre Agassi, described the event as "the start of an amazing journey."
Quincy Jones - Photo Credit: AP
Music composer and producer Quincy Jones was among the celebrities to attend Usher's black-tie event. Jones said he came to the event because "he is my dawg, my brother from another ..."
Usher's tall, beautiful British girlfriend Eishia Brightwell, was also there to show her support, as were Usher's friends P. Diddy, Beyonce, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
Shawn H. Wilson, executive director of the New Look Foundation and Camp New Look, said:
Our vision is to change music, sports and entertainment as we know it by creating a smarter athlete and a well-informed entertainer.
Usher & His Right-Hand Man Shawn Wilson
Wilson, who has fifteen years experience helping celebrities launch non-profits, added, "When you look into [Ushers] eye and see his passion, you can't help but want to open doors."
Atlanta Georgia's Camp New Look
Over the next two weeks, 150 kids between the ages 8 and 18 will learn how to become better athletes and methods in business and marketing.
On July 23rd, Usher will host a celebrity Basketball Game Grand Finale fundraiser.
Usher's kids will not only participate in the event, they will be organizing and running it.
He wants to inspire his campers to not only play for a professional team, he wants his kids to aspire to one day own one.
Introducing Youth to the Business of Sports & Entertainment
On Thursday, July 13th, Usher appeared at the 1st annual Camp New Look to teach his campers the money side of show business.
The soulful singer's last album, Confessions, was certified 8-times platinum in the U.S., and sold 11 million copies worldwide. One million copies alone were sold in the first week of its release, which was the most ever for any R&B artist.
With over 9 million copies sold in the U.S., it became the best selling CD in America last year.
Usher Raymond is also the co-owner of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers.
Like Liz, Madonna, Cher and Elton, Usher is among an elite group of celebrities who only need to use their first name to be recognized in most "with it" circles around the world.
Having grown up going to church camps, the mega celebrity and role model, is taking what he learned from those experiences, and building upon them at Camp New Look.
"Never block the audience," Usher told the 150 lucky Lookers. "Never turn your back on the audience," he said.
Usherforever.com states:
For two weeks, the campers, aged 8 to 18, will hole away at Clark Atlanta University, honing their talents at Usher's expense.
Divided into groups by their specialties - either singing, dancing or basketball - the kids will learn from professional entertainers and athletes, including Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony and Atlanta Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall.
The children also sit in panels and discussion sessions with agents, managers and sports executives to learn the financial side of the entertainment and sports industries.
Their lessons will be put to the test when the camp ends July 23, when they are expected to coordinate a charity celebrity basketball game and headline the halftime show.
"This is truly about learning the business side," said Usher, who knows a thing or two about the sports biz as a co-owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers. "You're not going to learn it all overnight, but maybe, just maybe, you'll learn enough to change your life."
Usher's first group of kids were selected from 3,000 applicants. In order to be accepted into the camp free-of-charge they had to write an essay on why they deserved one of the coveted spots at Camp New Look.
How to Inspire & Motivate New Look Campers
To learn more about Usher's efforts, go to:
www.UshersNewLook.org
Usher's New Look is professionally managed by Strategic Wealth Inc. (SWI) Consulting. Based in Lawrenceville Georgia, SWI supports professionals athletes, entertainers and entrepreneurs with the creation, strategy and management of their own charitable non-profit organizations.
Usher & SWI's Shawn Wilson
Current New Look partners include SWI Consulting and Home Depot.
The foundation's web site states:
$1,000 allows one child to participate in Camp New Look and gain priceless experience in the business aspects of the sports and entertainment industries.
$750 supports costs for essential sports equipment (basketballs, footballs, whistles, tennis racquets, and tennis balls).
$500 outfits a dance team of 12 who will have the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned at the Celebrity Basketball Game Grand Finale.
$250 underwrites afternoon snacks for 150 campers.
$100 buys blank CDs for campers to record their own music productions.
$50 provides toiletries for one disadvantaged camper for two-weeks.
Camp New Look led by Shawn Wilson, Usher & The Man from Above
To support Usher's New Look Foundation, write to:
Shawn H. Wilson
Executive Director
Usher's New Look, Inc.
2775 Cruse Road, Suite 901
Lawrenceville, GA 30044
Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "giving kids the right foundation to achieve their dreams" living!
~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC
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