Daily Good Gossip

Exclusive: Young People From Usher's New Look Foundation Have Their Say

In 1999, superstar Usher established the Usher's New Look Foundation to empower young people from under-served communities around the world. LookToTheStars.org is proud to share some of the stories of the kids he has helped. Since it was established, New Look has mentored over 10,000 young people through over 150,000 hours of training. It gives young people the tools they need to succeed, and gives them a “new look” on life. The foundation certifies youth in four leadership areas – talent, education, career and service. To do this, the charity runs several different programs, including Powered By Service – a peer-to-peer, youth empowerment, curriculum-based, leadership training program, youth around the world are certified as leaders – and the New Look Leadership Academy, which is aimed towards young people who are entering their freshman year and features a four year training program. For those who have completed the Leadership Academy, the Moguls in Training program offers young people the chance to continue their growth.LookToTheStars.org recently found out about some of those young people Usher and New Look have helped, and who are members of the Moguls in Training program.

• Tommy Springer, JR is from the Atlanta Chapter of New Look and is a sophomore at Georgia State University, majoring in film. Tommy is a strong leader within the Atlanta community and is a member of the MIT (Moguls In Training) program. Tommy is very talented in the music and video arena and has directed a world hunger public service announcement with Cartoon Network, worked on a documentary with Coca-Cola and has shot countless independent music videos. One of Tommy’s greatest accomplishments was helping to direct the music video, “Hush,” for Usher.
  Most recently, Tommy traveled to South Africa for New Look’s PEACE is Powered By Service initiative where he trained and certified nearly 180 Johannesburg youth as leaders.

• Rashad Cain has been a part of New Look since 2005. He is a film major/music minor in his junior year at Georgia State University. As one of the original New Look participants, Rashad has seen the evolution of the New Look program and curriculum.
  Rashad participated first as a camper, then a volunteer, and is currently a Mogul In Training. Rashad was one of the first New Look interns to work in the central office. That internship experience led him to various other internships with New Look partners including: the NHL All Star weekend in Atlanta in 2008, a New York internship at the NHL headquarters, and an internship with the Atlanta Dream during their inaugural season in the WNBA. As a result, Rashad gained employment with the Atlanta Hawks and Atlanta Braves, which he also attributes to New Look’s support.
  Outside of New Look, Rashad spends his time mentoring kids through the Student African American Brotherhood initiative. Upon graduation, Rashad plans to seek an MBA from the University Of Georgia, Terry College Of Business, to develop his vision of growing his music/entertainment company that he started with a fellow New-Looker in 2005.
  Rashad attended the Clinton Global Initiative University along with five other New Look youth in March 2012. There he had an opportunity to discuss the importance of public service and topics of interest relevant to his community with President Clinton and Usher.

Source: www.looktothestars.org