Usher broke through in a big way globally in 2004-05 with his fourth studio album “Confessions,” which has sold more than 20 million copies worldwide, according to Shawn Wilson, president of the New Look Foundation.
Mr. Wilson told GlobalAtlanta during a conference call from New York that Usher’s enormous success with that album pushed the rhythm and blues prodigy to start thinking even more seriously about public service.
Although the New Look Foundation was established by Usher in 1999, it has become increasingly active and globally conscious. “The music industry has a global mindset,” Mr. Wilson said. “Music and the music business are by their very nature global.”
Usher performs around the world. His first performance in China was held in mid-July in Beijing at the Wukesong Arena, during which he joined Taiwanese star Wang Leehom, with whom he sang a song in Mandarin.
Also on the conference call were John Rice, who lives in Atlanta and is vice chairman of GE and CEO of GE Technology Infrastructure, and his wife, Cammie.
As a most senior official of one of the U.S.’s preeminent global companies, Mr. Rice has signed on with the leaders of other global companies, some based in Atlanta, to support the World Leadership Awards of the New Look Foundation, which will honor individuals who have contributed to youth leadership and service, as well as corporations and organizations.
Former President Clinton will join Mr. Rice along with members of the foundation’s prestigious board of directors at the award ceremony to be held the evening of Friday, Aug. 6, at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center.
Mr. Wilson said that the foundation wanted to honor Mr. Clinton because he “picked up the ball from President Kennedy” in his concern about providing opportunities of America’s youth through organizations such as the Peace Corps. The domestic version of the Peace Corps, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA), officially launched by President Lyndon Johnson, was incorporated into the AmeriCorps during the Clinton administration.
Mrs. Rice has been instrumental in rallying Atlanta’s corporate leaders into joining the foundation’s board due to her concern about the lack of educational and employment opportunities available for inner-city youth.
She said that her commitment to the organization stemmed from one of the foundation’s Leadership Academy programs she attended at Emory University.
Mrs. Rice had experienced an armed burglary of her home during which her life was threatened. The incident focused her attention on the plight of inner-city youth ever since, even though the perpetrators have been apprehended and imprisoned.
During the Leadership Academy program, she heard participants who sought educational and employment opportunities without success before becoming involved in the program. The foundation currently is setting up academies in Atlanta, Milwaukee, Wis., and New York.
“My view is simple,” Mr. Rice said during the conference call. “Concentrating on youth is really important. They are the future, even if it sounds a bit trite. We have a bleak future if they don’t have educational prospects and social responsibility.”
Mr. Wilson said that since 1999 the program has reached more than 8,700 youth across the nation with its two-year leadership courses that introduce the students to business principles, the importance of education and community involvement.
He added that the foundation also is increasing its global reach to help its participants prepare for future careers.
He also said that even though Usher came to Atlanta when he was 11 years old, grew up and launched his musical career here, Atlanta was not necessarily the first choice for the awards celebration.
“It was not an automatic choice. It could have been in New York or Los Angeles, but Atlanta is a growing city, a global city and it can help feed that image. And, we know, Atlanta can do an international event of this significance.”
The awards evening also is to feature performances by Usher and other artists including pop star Justin Bieber.
Joining Usher and Mr. Clinton on the host committee are Ingrid Saunders Jones, senior vice president of global community connections at the Coca-Cola Co. and chairperson of the Coca-Cola Foundation;
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue and his wife, Mary; former U.S. Sen. Sam Nunn and his wife, Colleen; former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin;
U.S. Rep. John Lewis of Georgia’s 5th District; Phil Kent, chairman and CEO of Turner Broadcasting System Inc.; Roger Penske, CEO of Penske Automative Group, and his wife, Kathy, and Laura Turner Seydel, chair of The Captain Planet Foundation and a member of many other civic organizations.
Tickets for the World Leadership Awards ceremony are available through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or at Ticketmaster.com at a cost of $35, $65 and $100.
Tickets are also available at the Bank of North Georgia Box Office at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre, 2800 Cobb Galleria Parkway, Atlanta, 30339.
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