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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Join Usher, President Clinton, Justin Bieber, Ciara and more on August 6th in Atlanta for the first annual World Leadership Awards. New Look Foundation will honor and recognize individuals and celebrities who are committed to youth leadership and service and make a difference in the lives of millions every day. Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketmaster.com.

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Eminem, Usher, Alicia Keys and T-Pain have been added to the performance lineup of the BET Awards ’10, going down on June 27 in Los Angeles. The hitmakers will join a star-studded bill that includes previously announced performers Kanye West, Drake, T.I., Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and Ludacris.

A BET rep also confirmed that a Michael Jackson tribute is slated for this year’s show, hosted by rapper/actor Queen Latifah. The 2009 event became an impromptu MJ homage after the icon died just days before the awards show aired. Host Jamie Foxx memorably Moonwalked and spoofed Jackson’s “Beat It,” and stars like Ne-Yo, Ciara and Keri Hilson paid homage to the icon during their performances.

Rolling Stone reported on Thursday (June 17) that BET insiders confirmed viewers can expect a performance of the monster collaboration “All I Do Is Win,” featuring DJ Khaled, T-Pain, Ludacris and Rick Ross. The magazine also teased that the “All I Do Is Win” collabo is set to feature a special guest.

Jay-Z leads this year’s BET Awards nominations with five nods, including Best Male Hip-Hop Artist and Video of the Year for both “Empire State of Mind” and “Run this Town” off his hit The Blueprint 3. Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Drake also picked up multiple noms, with Mrs. Carter and the soon-to-be Mrs. Swizz Beatz both vying for the Best Female R&B Artist trophy and Drake competing with Hov for Best Male Hip-Hop Artist. Teen sensation Justin Bieber also received a nod for Best New Artist.

Soul singer John Legend will be honored with the Humanitarian Award for his philanthropic work while the legendary Prince will also be celebrated: The Purple One will receive the ceremony’s Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s show, to be broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in L.A., will mark the 10th anniversary of the BET Awards.

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Usher has been nominated for 2 Teen Choice Awards: Choice Music: Male Artist & Choice Music: R&B Artist. Justin Bieber is also nominated for Choice Music: Male Artist. The Awards will air on Monday August 9, 2010 at 8:00 pm ET/PT on FOX.

Fans can vote once each day for their favorite Teen Choice 2010 nominees at www.teenchoiceawards.com. Performers, presenters and additional nominees will be announced soon.  Also, Invisalign Teen has launched the “Straight to Stardom Sweepstakes” with a grand prize VIP package for four to Teen Choice 2010 in Los Angeles and other prizes. Fans can enter at www.invisalignteen.com.

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On August 5-6, 2010, the New Look Foundation will bring heads of state, corporate leaders and celebrities to Atlanta for the World Leadership Awards (WLA) at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Center. WLA will raise funds and support for New Look’s mission to mentor youth as global leaders. Four distinct honors will be awarded to leading individuals, corporations and organizations which have contributed to youth leadership and service. The evening will be full of special surprises, celebrity guests as well as musical performance by Usher and friends produced by world class entertainment AEG Live. 

This event is being chaired by Mr. John Rice, Vice Chairman of GE Technology Infrastructure and Mrs. Cammie Rice, Usher’s New Look, Board of Directors, in collaboration with Honorary Chairs Mr. Usher Raymond IV and President William Jefferson Clinton (Bill Clinton). Other host committee members include Ms. Ingrid Saunders Jones, Coca-Cola Company; Senator Samuel & Colleen Nunn; Former Atlanta Mayor Hon. Shirley Franklin; Congressman John Lewis; Mr. Phil Kent, Turner Broadcasting System; Mr. Roger & Kathy Penske, Penske Automotive Group; and Ms. Laura Turner Seydel, among other national and international leaders. WLA will be an unprecedented evening that brings and blends together the work of grassroots activists, heads of state, celebrities, youth leaders, corporations, artists, and community organizations.

Major international corporations have joined New Look to sponsor this event including: Coca Cola, GE, Turner Broadcasting, Grey Goose, AEG Live, Bank of America, JP Morgan, Penske Automotive, Elizabeth Arden and Sony BMG.

There is still an opportunity to join this prestigious group as a sponsor of the WLA. If you are interested in sponsoring please contact Melissa Ely.

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For those looking to smell a little sweeter, look no further than the 2010 FiFi award winners, the annual show that doles out honors for the top fragrances on the market.

Held Thursday night, June 10, at the Downtown Armory in New York, the big winners of the night, Michael Kors and Usher, were on hand to pick up their awards: For Kors, the FiFi “Hall of Fame” award and for Usher, “Male Celebrity Fragrance of the Year.”

Kim Kardashian, Sofia Vergara and Tinsley Mortimer cheered them along, as well as winners Bath & Body Works for “Retailer of the Year,” Tom Ford Grey Vetiver by the Estee Lauder Cos. Inc. for “Fragrance of the Year, Men’s Luxe” and Lola Marc Jacobs by Coty Prestige for “Fragrance of the Year, Women’s Luxe.”

As for the fragrances with the most popular appeal, Halle by Halle Berry, created by Coty, nabbed the women’s award while Antonio Banderas’ Seduction in Black by Puig USA Inc. was the winner in the men’s category

Niche fragrance brand Bond No. 9 New York won “Fragrance of the Year, Nouveau Niche” in both the women’s and men’s categories for their scents Bond No. 9 Astor Place and Bond No. 9 Brooklyn respectively.

And for its legendary fragrances, Calvin Klein Cosmetics and licensing partner Coty Prestige were given the “Fragrance Hall of Fame” award for their long-standing scent CK One.

Source: 1 & 2

R&B superstar Usher is enjoying the sweet smell of success – he’s set to receive a top honor (Male Celebrity Fragrance of the Year) for his ventures as a perfumer. The hitmaker followed in the footsteps of stars like Jennifer Lopez and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs when he launched his first fragrances in 2007 after signing a deal with perfume house Liz Claiborne.

Rochelle Bloom, President of The Fragrance Foundation, comments “Usher has introduced a hugely successful, sophisticated and gentlemanly wardrobe of fragrances to a new generation of consumers who love his music and his style”.

Usher himself says “I consider fragrance to be one of the most important tools of engagement for seduction! My fragrances are all about what you do with confidence and how you make an impact on the lives of those around you.” Whenever and wherever Usher appears to promote his fragrance, the crowds go wild and sales are off the charts!
 
 Usher will be honored alongside Michael Kors at the 38th Annual FiFi Awards, celebrating excellence in the industry, when it takes place in New York on June 10.

Sources: 1 & 2

Justin Bieber could be on his way to the 2010 BET Awards with none other than Usher !

Both chart-topping singers (“My World 2.0,” “Raymond Vs. Raymond”) were revealed as nominees for 2010 BET Awards Tuesday, May 18, 2010.

Nominated for Best New Artist, Bieber will vie for the star-studded BET Award against fellow rising stars Nicki Minaj, B.o.B, Young Money, and Melanie Fiona. (see nominees list here…)

Fresh off topping the Billboard Hot 100 and UK Singles Chart, Usher is nominated for Best Male R&B Artist, a field he joins Maxwell, Trey Songz, Raheem DeVaughn and Chris Brown in.

The 2010 BET Awards are slated to air Live! Sunday, June 27 on BET.

Performers, presenters and additional information surrounding the show is expected to be announced at a later date.

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Today, three youth leaders from Detroit will participate in the Ford Freedom Award festivities alongside Usher Raymond IV who is honored as this year’s Ford Freedom Award Scholar.  Atif Hashwi, Alexis Pearson and Angie Perkins will accompany Usher Raymond IV throughout the day for activities celebrating entrepreneurship, leadership and philanthropy.  The day’s activities include a Freedom Award Scholar’s lecture with over 1500 youth from Detroit, a media roundtable with executives from Ford Motor Company and the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, and award ceremonies.

Mr. Raymond is being honored by Ford for his work as an entrepreneur and a philanthropist. Through his New Look Foundation over 7,500 youth like Atif, Alexis and Angie have been able to gain leadership skills to be successful in their academic, career and community pursuits. Today, these New look alumni will have the opportunity to share their experiences and discuss the importance of youth voice in communities, especially when addressing pressing issues like education, health and the economy. Like all New Look alumni, these young leaders have been involved in rigorous leadership training and experiences and led local Powered By Service projects.  This year, Detroit youth have worked on projects addressing malaria prevention, Haiti relief and education.  The New Look Foundation recognizes that young people have the power and creativity to be global leaders and ensures they have the tools and resources to make their voices heard.

The Ford Freedom Awards is the perfect venue to discuss the importance of youth leadership and education. According to Ziad Ojakli, group vice president, Government and Community Relations, Ford Motor Company “The Ford Freedom Award program will provide lasting benefits and encourage talented young people to follow in the steps of . . . entrepreneurs, and help strengthen their abilities to become leaders in the community in which they live and serve.”  

This year, the Ford Freedom Awards also recognize John H. Johnson, world renown corporate and community leader.  Mr. Johnson was an empire builder who started his publishing company as a young man with only $500. The New Look Foundation encourages youth to find inspiration from Mr. Johnson’s success and imagine how they can transform their communities and the world with small seeds of creativity and energy!  

Sources: 1, 2, 3