Usher's New Look

Last updated

Usher's New Look
Formation1999;25 years ago (1999)
Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia
Founder
Usher
Key people
Website ushersnewlook.org

Usher's New Look is a non-profit organization founded by the musical performer Usher in 1999, with the help of his mother Jonetta Patton. [1] The organization is aimed at improving the lives of disadvantaged children and adolescents. [2] [3]

Founded in 1999, Usher’s New Look’s (UNL) mission is to transform the lives of historically marginalized youth through a comprehensive program that develops passion-driven, global leaders focused on discovering their spark/talent and receiving a “New Look” on life. UNL’s goal is to empower young people to discover their spark (or passion), graduate from high school, achieve higher education and training, build careers, leadership programming, mentorship opportunities, and be of service to their communities. UNL’s work helps youth future-proof their lives from systemic barriers to become leaders who change the world. UNL’s work is based in Atlanta and New York, as well as programs in cities nationwide. UNL’s unique programming has transformed the lives of over 60,000 youth see past their circumstances, discover their potential, and unlock their purpose over the past 25 years.

The organization has several offerings and programs that include grade specific programming, peer-to-peer training, and mentorship programs. [4]

Background

Usher founded the Usher's New Look in 1999, with the help of his mother, Jonetta Patton. The foundation was set up in order to reach under-served youth. A then 19-year-old Usher and his mother sat in the back of an Atlanta courtroom, listening to juvenile court hearings. Listening to the stories, together they were inspired and wanted to give opportunities to children by giving them a new outlook on life. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Usher (musician)</span> American R&B singer (born 1978)

Usher Raymond IV is an American singer, songwriter, and dancer. He is recognized as an influential figure in contemporary R&B and pop music. Usher first released his self-titled debut album (1994) at the age of 16, and rose to fame in the late 1990s following the release of his second album, My Way (1997). It spawned his first Billboard Hot 100 number-one single "Nice & Slow", and the top-two singles "You Make Me Wanna..." and the title track. His third album, 8701 (2001) saw continued success and contained two number-one singles, "U Remind Me" and "U Got It Bad", as well as the top-three single "U Don't Have to Call". It sold eight million copies worldwide and won his first two Grammy Awards for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance consecutively in 2002 and 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mentorship</span> Guidance relationship

Mentorship is the patronage, influence, guidance, or direction given by a mentor. A mentor is someone who teaches or gives help and advice to a less experienced and often younger person. In an organizational setting, a mentor influences the personal and professional growth of a mentee. Most traditional mentorships involve having senior employees mentor more junior employees, but mentors do not necessarily have to be more senior than the people they mentor. What matters is that mentors have experience that others can learn from.

Youth mentoring is the process of matching mentors with young people who need or want a caring, responsible adult in their lives. Adult mentors are usually unrelated to the child or teen and work as volunteers through a community-, school-, or church-based social service program. The goal of youth mentoring programs is to improve the well-being of the child by providing a role model that can support the child academically, socially and/or personally. This goal can be accomplished through school work, communication, and/or activities. Goals and settings within a mentoring program vary by country because of cultural values.

Peer mentoring is a form of mentorship that usually takes place between a person who has lived through a specific experience and a person who is new to that experience. An example would be an experienced student being a peer mentor to a new student, the peer mentee, in a particular subject, or in a new school. Peer mentors are also used for health and lifestyle changes. For example, clients, or patients, with support from peers, may have one-on-one sessions that meet regularly to help them recover or rehabilitate. Peer mentoring provides individuals who have had a specific life experience the chance to learn from those who have recovered, or rehabilitated, following such an experience. Peer mentors provide education, recreation and support opportunities to individuals. The peer mentor may challenge the mentee with new ideas, and encourage the mentee to move beyond the things that are most comfortable. Most peer mentors are picked for their sensibility, confidence, social skills and reliability.

William Allen Young is an American actor and director who has starred in over 100 television, stage, and film projects, including two Academy Award-nominated films, A Soldier's Story and District 9. He is known for his roles as Frank Mitchell on UPN's Moesha, Dr. Rollie Guthrie on the CBS medical drama Code Black, and as Judge Joseph Ratner on CBS's CSI Miami. His other television credits include ABC's The Day After, General Hospital, CBS's Madam Secretary, JAG, Atlanta Child Murders, and The Women of Brewster Place, among other shows. He is also credited with helping to diversify the ranks of writers, actors, directors and producers in Hollywood through the landmark 2000 TV Network Agreement, which he helped broker while serving as a former co-chair of the African-American Steering Committee of the Directors Guild of America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kely Support Group</span>

KELY Support Group is a non-governmental bilingual organisation in Hong Kong which aims to provide support to youth between the ages of 14 and 24. Its programmes and services focus on prevention and intervention of alcoholism and other drug abuse, and are designed to tackle what the group regards as the common reasons for abuse such as boredom, peer pressure, lack of self-awareness, low self-esteem, poverty, unemployment and discrimination.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rialto Center for the Arts</span> Performing arts center in Atlanta, Georgia

The Rialto Center for the Arts is an 833-seat performing-arts venue owned and operated by Georgia State University and located in the heart of the Fairlie-Poplar district in downtown Atlanta, Georgia. The venue is home to the Rialto Series, an annual subscription series featuring national and international jazz, world music, and dance. The Rialto also routinely presents Georgia State University School of Music performances, the annual National Black Arts Festival, and many others.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">BHUMI (organisation)</span> Indian non-profit organization

Bhumi is one of India's largest independent volunteer non-profit organizations running by youths. Bhumi as a platform enables over 30,000 volunteers in more than 12 cities across India for causes like education, environment, animals, community welfare etc. Bhumi helps to educate over 25,000 children across India as of 2020.

The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) is a non-profit arts organization based in New York City, founded in 2001 by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff following the September 11 attacks as a means to revitalize the arts community in lower Manhattan. TFI launched its first program in 2002, the Tribeca Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girls Action Foundation</span> Canadian organization

Girls Action Foundation provides funds and training to over 100 girls’ programs in communities across Canada. It also offers programs, research and support to a network of over 300 partnering organizations and projects, reaching over 60,000 Canadian girls and young women annually, particularly in under-represented communities including Northern, racialised, low-income, Aboriginal and immigrant communities.

Born This Way Foundation is a non-profit organization founded in 2012 by American artist and activist Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta. Named after the singer's 2011 album Born This Way, and the song with the same name the foundation is committed to supporting the wellness of young people and working with them to "make the world kinder and braver".

Gwen Hughes is an American jazz singer, songwriter and actress. Primarily based in Atlanta, Georgia, United States, she has developed a fan base both regionally and abroad with her jazz-flavored ensembles, including "The Retro Jazz Kats," "The Continental Dance Orchestra," and the European-based "Mono".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Daniel Trust Foundation</span>

Daniel Trust Foundation is a youth development non-profit organization founded by Daniel Trust. It was launched in 2009 and provides mentorship and scholarship opportunities to high school seniors and student-selected recognition and funding for high school teachers. The foundation has offices in Bridgeport, Connecticut and New York City, and aims to be a student run organization for students by students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Boi</span> American rapper (born 1975)

Antwan André Patton, better known by his stage name Big Boi, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, and actor. Born in Savannah, Georgia and raised in Atlanta, he is best known for being one-half of the Southern hip hop duo Outkast, alongside fellow Atlanta-based rapper André 3000.

Athletes for Kids is a nonprofit organization founded in 2002. The organization works to enhance the lives of children with special needs by partnering them with a high school athlete to form an encouraging friendship. AFK's mission is to create communities where children of all abilities are celebrated.

Mama Dragons Mama Dragons is a nonprofit (501c3) organization dedicated to creating LGBTQ-affirming homes through LGBTQ parent education focused on mothering. Since 2013, it has grown from just a handful of moms to an organization that now supports over 10,000+ mothers creating more affirming homes for over 20,000 LGBTQ people.

Mariame Kaba is an American activist, grassroots organizer, and educator who advocates for the abolition of the prison industrial complex, including all police. She is the author of We Do This 'Til We Free Us (2021). The Mariame Kaba Papers are held by the Chicago Public Library Special Collections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebuild Foundation</span>

Rebuild Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming buildings and neighborhoods in South Side Chicago, sustaining cultural development as well as celebrating art. The Rebuild Foundation was founded in 2009 by Theaster Gates, a social practice installation artist. The Foundation is currently composed of seven projects.

Brandon Nicholson is a non profit professional who serves as an executive director of The Hidden Genius Project. The Hidden Genius project strives to find hidden geniuses in underserved communities and to provide a platform that allows young black males to succeed. Nicholson emphasizes the importance of leadership and mentorship within all stages of these individuals lives.

Jonnetta Patton is an American talent manager, entrepreneur and film and television producer. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, she is the founder of J's Kitchen Culinary Incubator, JPat Management, and Lion Queen Entertainment, a film and television production company.

References

  1. "Usher's New Look Foundation celebrates 15 years". 11Alive. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  2. "Usher's New Look charity celebrates its Sweet 16". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution . Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  3. Shropshire, Terry (July 31, 2014). "Usher, Ludacris, Sugar Ray Leonard at Usher's New Look Foundation Annivesary[sic]". Atlanta Daily World . Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  4. "Usher's New Look Foundation helps turn students' passions into careers". WLWT. February 9, 2015. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  5. "Usher: Mentoring". Esquire . March 21, 2012.