News: Usher Inspired By Barack Obama's Words, Works W/ Kids For Volunteer Day
Tuesday, Jan 20, 2009 9:20AM
R&B superstar Usher helped children at a local Washington, DC school in support of Barack Obama's calling of citizens to participate at Mondays' "Volunteer Day."
The Grammy-winning singer offered his free services throughout the annual event.
Usher pumped up grade-schoolers and other volunteers with handshakes, jokes and words of praise as they repainted walls and built two libraries at Simon Elementary School in southeast D.C. - an area with a high dropout rate - on the afternoon of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. (People)
He claims the inspiration came from Barack's message-driven words of change.
"Change has come to America, but we are the reality of that change by simply becoming part of service projects, volunteerism," the 29-year-old singer said. "That is change in motion." (Associated Press)
The singer has been associated with his own charity programs for over a decade.
Usher's New Look has evolved extensively from it's grant-making beginnings in 1999. What started as a program to empower tomorrow's leaders with skills required for high-impact careers in sports and entertainment has grown into a broad effort determined to help youth and rebuild storm-ravaged communities in Louisiana and Mississippi. Usher's New Look, a 501, nonprofit, was established in 2005 to help create business avenues for young people. (Ushers New Look)
