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Usher Gets His Flowers At Emory University — Keynote, Degree
USHER RAYMOND IV delivered the keynote address at EMORY UNIVERSITY’s 180th Commencement YESTERDAY (5/12). During the ceremony, the GRAMMY Award-winning performer and philanthropist received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.
He founded USHER’S NEW LOOK (UNL) in 1999, an ATLANTA-based nonprofit that has helped tens of thousands of under-resourced teens explore education, leadership and service. The organization partners with EMORY’s GOIZUETA BUSINESS SCHOOL to offer student development programs including “Powered by Service” and the four-year Leadership Academy.
His humanitarian work has been recognized by the BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF AMERICA, the FORD FREEDOM AWARD, MOREHOUSE COLLEGE, BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC and the NAACP IMAGE AWARDS, where he was honored as “ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR” in 2024.
USHER said, “I have spent my life following my spark — my passion — and trying to support young people as they find and follow their own passions. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to these incredible Emory students as they graduate and prepare to make their mark on the world.”
EMORY UNIVERSITY Pres. GREGORY L. FENVES added, “There are few artists in the history of popular music who have innovated as ceaselessly as Usher. Emory has been proud to partner with his New Look organization to help students realize their potential.”
USHER moved to ATLANTA at age 12 and released his debut album at 15. He has since become one of the best-selling artists in music history, earning eight GRAMMY Awards and charting nine No. 1 hits on the BILLBOARD HOT 100. Most recently, he headlined the 2024 APPLE MUSIC SUPER BOWL HALFTIME SHOW.