DETROIT – Usher Club Takeover stopped at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Michigan on Detroit’s west side.
The music moguls appearance occurred on Thursday (Sept. 12).
“Did y’all have a good time in the skating rink?” said Usher to the crowd. “So, you are not mad at me for turning this gym into a skating rink?”
The R&B singer’s road to superstardom began at his hometown Boys & Girls Club in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
That’s why Usher’s foundation, New Look, is partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to raise awareness about the need for expanded after-school programs.
“You may not know what you want to do with your life, but it is a beautiful thing to come to the Boys & Girls Club to be influenced in a way that you can create a career, create business and be a contributor to your community,” Usher said.
Usher took a tour of the facility and met with some teens one-on-one to hear their dreams.
Elijah dreams of working in the music industry. Usher listened to some of his beats. He describes meeting Usher as a dream come true.
“I want to be the rap version of Usher. He is amazing. He is so intelligent. I really love him with my heart, and I can’t wait to be on the big stage,” said Elijah.
Logan, who wants to work in the fashion industry, shared some of her pieces with Usher.
“I was a little star-struck at first, but then I was like, you know he is a regular person, and I’m going to be in shoes one day,” said Logan.
Usher visited with the youth ahead of his two sold-out concerts at Little Ceasars Arena.
“Going to the Boys & Girls Clubs and being a part of after-school programs like what we’re doing here became the motivation for everything that I would do in my life,” Usher said.