For youth who are dreaming of careers in entertainment, getting a foot in the door can often be one of the hardest parts of the journey. Usher’s New Look is working to change that. The nonprofit has joined forces with BET Next Gen and Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit to create a pathway that takes emerging talent beyond simply learning about the entertainment business; and places them directly inside it. On August 3, 2026, the collaboration was announced and designed to expand access to careers in media, music and entertainment through hands-on experience, executive mentorship and real-world professional development.
The partnership officially came to life during the 2026 BET Awards, where four interns from Usher’s New Look’s Entertainment Industry Club: Live Touring Edition joined the BET Next Gen cohort. During BET Awards Week, the young professionals worked alongside BET teams in Communications and Public Relations, Social Media and Digital Operations, Marketing, Production and Brand Creative. Rather than standing on the sidelines observing, the interns contributed to the execution of one of entertainment’s largest live television events, gaining firsthand experience in how multiple departments work together behind the scenes.
It doesn’t stop there. Out of 1,600 applications a handful of interns were chosen to go on the road for the R&B Tour starring Usher and Chris Brown. According to program details shared with JaGurl TV, students completed a three-week boot camp designed to prepare them for the demands of working on the stadium tour. Usher’s New Look describes the Live Touring Edition as a paid, immersive experience in which interns work alongside professionals in areas including tour production, wardrobe and multimedia. The organization says participants receive preparation in professional standards, safety and role-specific skills before entering the tour environment.
And for some of the participants, the experience became more than an internship; it became employment. Interns of the program were hired to continue working on the tour, turning what began as an opportunity into employment across 18 shows , a milestone that has never been done before. That outcome represents the larger mission behind the program: not simply exposing young people to careers, but creating tangible pathways into the entertainment workforce.
That mission is rooted in more than 25 years of youth development. Founded in 1999 by Usher Raymond IV, Jonetta Patton and Shawn H. Wilson, Usher’s New Look has grown into a national nonprofit helping young people develop the skills, confidence, connections and professional experience necessary to build sustainable careers. Today, the organization says it has served more than 50,000 young people worldwide. Its programming combines access, training, real-world experience and career development, giving participants opportunities to transform their interests into professional pathways.
The collaboration with BET and Boys & Girls Clubs is also set to extend beyond a single awards show or tour. The organizations plan to develop the initiative into a year-round leadership and workforce development experience anchored through Spark Lab Studios in Atlanta and Detroit. Participants will have spaces where they can train, create projects, earn industry certifications, receive mentorship and continue developing real-world skills alongside professionals. The goal is to create an ongoing talent pipeline connecting young people with careers throughout media, music and entertainment.
So, how can young people get involved? Usher’s New Look currently offers pathways beginning with SPARK Club for ages 14–17, while its Entertainment Industry Club serves older participants preparing for careers in the entertainment trades. The organization’s current website lists the Entertainment Industry Club for young adults, while its 2026 Live Touring Internship was open to applicants 18 and older. Anyone interested in future opportunities can visit Usher’s New Look, identify the program that fits their age and career interests, and sign up for available year-round programming and upcoming cohorts.
For Usher’s New Look, BET and Boys & Girls Clubs, that is the bigger picture. This partnership is not simply about giving the next generation a glimpse behind the curtain. It is about preparing them to work behind it, lead within it and eventually help shape what the entertainment industry looks like next.
