NEWS

Usher keen to inspire kids

22nd February 2011

(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Usher has visited a youth club in England to give young people advice on how to stay out of trouble.

The global R&B star met 30 teenagers at Fulham's Brunswick Club for Young People, between his sell-out shows at the O2 arena in London, to discuss the problems they face, and their role in society.

The singer who is ranked as one of the best-selling artists in American music history - has never been shy of getting involved in charity ventures. Usher founded New Look, a non-profit charity organisation which aims to "provide young people with a new look on life through education and real-world experience". In 2006, the charity started an initiative called Our Block, which helped to rebuild city blocks in New Orleans. He now hopes to establish a permanent London base for his New Look Foundation to mentor teenagers from poorer areas.

The 32-year-old took along three of his New Look mentors to the charity club on Saturday for a workshop which included team-building sessions and motivational talks.

"This is one of many workshops I hope to hold and an opportunity to introduce the kids here to our programme. We spoke about teenage pregnancy, gang violence, incarceration, isolation - and one very specific thing was knife crime. It's something the kids kept bringing up and obviously it's a huge issue here, he told the London Evening Standard newspaper.

"The programme is about finding the root of the issue and addressing that, and hopefully motivating change. We would love to set up a permanent presence here in London. I really hope London is receptive, as this really does work. I think that us giving youth the responsibility and the chance to have a voice makes a difference."

Kids who took part in the workshop were given free tickets to Usher's concert. (C) Cover Media

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