Usher is making sure his upcoming stadium run with Chris Brown leaves a legacy beyond the music.
Through his nonprofit, Usher’s New Look (UNL), the singer is launching the Entertainment Industry Club: Live Touring Edition in partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit. This brand-new workforce development program is specifically designed to help young people break into the multi-billion dollar live entertainment business.
The initiative is bringing 10 interns from Detroit and Atlanta on the road for the R&B: Raymond and Brown tour. These individuals, who must be at least 18 years old, will get a front row seat to the business side of the industry, gaining hands on experience in production, wardrobe, and tour operations. Before hitting the road, the group will undergo rigorous training to prepare for the fast paced environment of a major North American tour.
At Usher’s New Look, we’ve always believed talent is everywhere, but access is not,” Usher shared in an official statement. “This program is opening doors and putting young professionals in a position to learn, grow, and work inside the entertainment trades.”
The program isn’t just for the select few on the road. The Spark Sessions: Making of the Tour will offer youth at Boys & Girls Clubs across the country a look behind the curtain at the logistics of the trek. Shawn Wilson, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit and UNL Co-Founder, emphasized that this is about more than just a temporary job.
“The live touring industry is a multi-billion dollar global business — yet access to the entertainment trades remains limited,” Wilson stated. “Together, we’re changing that by placing young professionals on one of the most historic tours and turning access into real pathways to lasting careers.”
The Raymond and Brown tour officially kicks off on June 26 in Denver and wraps up in Tampa this December. For those ready to apply, the deadline is fast approaching, applications close at 11:59 P.M. on May 9. Interviews are scheduled for mid-May, with the 11-week internship running from May 27 through August 10. Interested candidates can find the application on the Usher’s New Look website.
