Usher making sure Coast isn't forgotten

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June 28, 2008

By Fredie Carmichael / editor The Meridian Star Sat Jun 28, 2008, 11:07 PM CDT

Multi Grammy-award winning artist Usher knows a thing or two about entertaining.

But this week on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, I learned he also knows a thing or two about philanthropy.

Usher, 29, who was born in Chattanooga, Tenn., originally established his New Look Foundation as a way to help young people enter the business side of sports and entertainment. In July 2005 — about a month before Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast — he repurposed its efforts to include providing leadership, guidance and support to help young people become better leaders in their work place and communities.

After Katrina, Usher's foundation provided support to more than 750 families through rent and utility assistance.

Here's the kicker: Usher, who has no ties to Mississippi, recognized Katrina's damage was much broader than New Orleans. He saw the need of the Mississippi Gulf Coast firsthand during a tour he took days after the storm. Something struck him during the visit: the "Beau Rivage" marquee atop the resort.

"It was literally the only thing that was lit," Usher said in an interview this week after speaking to a group of Beau Rivage employees his foundation is helping assist with housing-related grants.

"I was like, 'Wow.' You have no idea that it looked like this if you were just looking at the coverage of New Orleans. It's a harsh reality ... By coming to the area and seeing it for yourself you're compelled to do all you can to help."

The Beau Rivage Employee Home Assistance Initiative Usher's foundation is helping to fund is currently providing homebuyer and financial education, training and counseling to its employees.

As hundreds of Beau Rivage employees anxiously awaited Usher's appearance at a rally this week I overheard a young mother explaining how the partnernship would help her learn how to, as a new mother, better manage her money. Later, a waiter told me about how a grant from the program would help him repair his roof. The bottom line: this is an effort that gets to the heart of things, the place where a true difference is made.

One thing that strikes me every time I visit the Gulf Coast these days is simply how much damage remains, an impression from physical appearance that most certainly underscores the significant emotional and financial damage to families.

Usher said he thinks it's critically important we don't overlook the issues that remain.

"There's a need. There's been a sense of fatigue for the relief of the Gulf Coast. This partnership will hopefully forge a relationship that we'll be able to use in the future for other efforts similar to this one."

Through his partnership, Usher said he wants to make sure "people are not forgotten, especially those who are without a house and home."

Before this week, I was a huge Usher fan. He was in my Top 10 of all-time favorite artists. That was all based on his musical talent. Today, I'm proud to say I met a guy with a heart of gold who saw a need and did something about it. He didn't simply throw money at an issue.

Now I'll jam to his music with a little more pride knowing this guy, is using his fame to make a profound impact on people's lives.

Fredie Carmichael is executive editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at editor@themeridianstar.com.

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