Detroit youth gain access to global entertainment industry through Usher internship program

July 3, 2026

Eight young adults from Detroit participated in an innovative internship program that embedded them in Usher's national R&B tour, gaining hands-on experience in production, creative design, and communications. The initiative, developed through a partnership between Usher's New Look nonprofit, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit, and Michigan Central, prepared participants through pre-tour training at Media Studios before placing them in demanding real-world entertainment roles. Interns described the experience as transformative but grueling, with shifts sometimes lasting over 20 hours as they managed setup, breakdown, and travel logistics across multiple cities.

Who is affected

Eight Detroit young adults (aged 18+) who interned on Usher's tour
Four additional participants who shadowed at awards shows
Specific named interns: Allison Lewis (Michigan Technological University graduate), Nina Williams, Logan Hrabowski (College for Creative Studies student)
Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit members
Shawn Wilson, president of Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit
Usher and his nonprofit organization, Usher's New Look
Michigan Central initiatives and youth development organizations
Detroit youth seeking creative industry careers

What action is being taken

Eight interns are traveling across the US with Usher's ongoing tour
Usher is performing at Ford Field on July 2, 3, and 5
Other artists and organizations are calling to replicate the program
The internship program is expanding

Why it matters

This program provides rare access to professional entertainment careers for Detroit youth who typically face geographic and economic barriers to such opportunities. It goes beyond theoretical training by placing young adults directly into high-pressure, real-world production environments on a major national tour, building both technical skills and professional resilience. The initiative represents a scalable model for industry-community partnerships that can create pathways into competitive creative fields, while also positioning Detroit as a hub for developing entertainment industry talent. The program's expansion signals growing recognition that hands-on, mentored experiences are essential for preparing the next generation of creative professionals.

What's next

Organizers plan to offer more internship opportunities
The program is expanding with other artists and organizations expressing interest in replication
Details of upcoming programs have not yet been announced

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com