Image via Auzzy Byrdsell

By: India Rice, Staff Writer 

After Usher “Turnt the world to the ‘A’’ during his Super Bowl XLVIII performance, the city of Atlanta brought the “A” right back to him by proclaiming February 14 as Usher Raymond Appreciation Day.

The eight-time Grammy award-winning artist came to Clark Atlanta University for his “Coming Home” Rally powered by Amazon. After his success during the most watched Super Bowl LVIII performance, with 129.3 million viewers, Usher celebrated his new album “Coming Home” and the 25th anniversary of Usher’s New Look Foundation (UNL). 

The star-studded event emceed by CAU Alumni and Radio personality Fly Guy DC also featured Usher’s official DJ and CAU alumni, DJ Mars, an appearance from L.A. Reid and a performance from CAU’s Mighty Marching Panthers.  

Young people chanting “Hey, ho, Usher’s New Look Foundation got soul,” came in strong with shirts reading “Disruptivator.” They presented Usher with a trophy commemorating Feb. 11 as the day of the Usher-Bowl. Amazon also presented UNL with a check for $25,000 to go toward programming.

Founded in 1999, the non-profit aims to develop under-resourced youth from middle school through college,helping them navigate their lives in scholarship and community engagement. The program has a 100% high school graduation rate and 98% of its participants enroll in college. 

In July of 2005, the first ever Camp New Look was held at CAU– allowing 150 students the opportunity to organize their own celebrity basketball game. After 25 years UNL is continuing to uplift the community.

Shanice Chang 11th grader spoke on how she’s leveraged the program to help strengthen her professional and personal development. 

“I’ve benefited a lot from this foundation, it has helped me cultivate my spark,” Chang said. “I have been able to make connections with new people, learn how to network, have a firm handshake, speak clearly and it has really developed my public speaking skills.” 

She also said the program helps the students personally because they can step out of their comfort zone to explore new topics, environments and career choices.

Similarly, Atlanta University Students often get presented with opportunities of this magnitude. These events serve as a way for students to gain exposure and insight while having fun. 

Kennedy Faux, a Junior at CAU said that this occasion was a reminder “to always follow your dreams no matter where you are and always remember where you come from because it’s your village that holds you up at all times.”

Usher echoed the sentiment when speaking to the students in the crowd. 

“I’ve learned that the true measure of success is ultimately the people that you choose to share it with,” he said.  

Time and time again, Usher continues to raise the bar by proving why he has the attention of many.

“I carry the ‘A’ with me everywhere I go, that’s why you see that peach on my shoulder,” he added. 

To find out more information about his updates and foundation, be sure to head to Usherworld.com and 2020.ushersnewlook.org.

Copy Edited by: Auzzy Byrdsell, Editor-in-Chief