Usher Raymond IV has spent more than 30 years entertaining the world with his songs and dance moves. But what many people don't know is that he has also spent most of his life using his success to help kids succeed.
When Usher was only 20 years old, he started something special with his mother Jonnetta Patton. On June 17, 1999, they founded a nonprofit organization called Usher's New Look. The goal was simple. They wanted to help kids find their own "spark." Usher said that he was blessed to find his spark early in life and that he wanted to give other young people that same chance.
For more than 25 years, Usher's New Look has been helping young people succeed, and the nonprofit said it has served over 60,000 youth. The nonprofit has invested more than $29 million in programs that help young people learn, grow, and succeed, according to tax filings reviewed by Stay Inspired News. These include leadership conferences, workshops, and mentoring sessions that have reached youth in Atlanta, New York, Milwaukee, and Detroit, as well as in communities around the world.
Each year, Usher's New Look publishes a donor impact report detailing how funds are used. In 2023, Usher's New Look reported that 63% of its revenue came from corporations, 21% from foundations, and about 10% from individual donors. That year, the nonprofit spent roughly $1.3 million on youth programs, $365,000 on fundraising, and $145,000 on administrative costs, according to the report. Behind those numbers are students who learned to lead, save money, speak up and dream bigger.
Usher was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Chattanooga, Tennessee. When he was 12 years old, he moved to Atlanta, Georgia with his family to pursue a career in music. As a child, he sang in his church choir. He saw what could happen when people believed in young talent. That early support shaped his career and inspired him to create Usher's New Look.
Careshia Moore joined the foundation in 2012 and later served as the 3rd President and CEO from 2018 to 2024. Moore played a key role in helping the nonprofit reach more young people nationwide. She said Usher's New Look is dedicated to providing opportunities for young people to expand their way of thinking, and to discover pathways to success. Moore is also the co-author of Raising America: A Visual Celebration of Educators, along with Chantel Jiroch.
Usher's New Look runs several programs that teach life skills, leadership, and career training. These programs help students make strong choices about school, work, and community. They also learn about money management and personal growth. Since 2020, they've held their "Disruptivator Summit" every year.
One of the biggest goals of Usher's New Look is to prepare students for life after high school. The nonprofit said 100% of participants in its high school Leadership Academy graduate, and about 98% go on to college. Of those, more than 86% are first-generation college students, according to the foundation. Those are remarkable numbers that show real impact.
Through a $1.5 million grant from the Truist Foundation in 2017, Usher's New Look added a financial literacy component to its youth programs. Neil La-Mothe, a former student from New York City, was deeply impacted by the experience. He said, "Usher's New Look has always pushed me to strive for the best and expect nothing less." La-Mothe graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor's degree in economics from John Jay College in 2024. He now helps college students and other young people understand financial markets.
When one student finds their spark, they often inspire others to do the same. That is how change grows. The young people who come through Usher's New Look go on to help others in their schools, neighborhoods, and cities.
Usher's career has brought him awards, fame, and worldwide success. But through Usher's New Look, he has shown what it truly means to use success for good. Many stars give money to charity, but Usher built something that keeps giving year after year.
“I was blessed to find my spark early in life. Being able to immerse myself in what I loved to do was a great way for me to channel my passions. I wanted to provide those same opportunities for other youth,” Usher said in a 2020 interview with Spotify for Artists.
Usher's long-standing commitment to helping others has touched the lives of thousands of young people. What began as a spark has grown into something far greater than music. His foundation continues to help young people build brighter futures.