Ushers New Look, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit, and BET Launch Year-Round Talent Pipeline

On August 3 2026, the 2026 BET Awards in Los Angeles became the stage for a groundbreaking partnership that could reshape the next generation of media, music, and entertainment talent. Usher’s New Look, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Detroit (BGCGD), and BET’s flagship leadership program, BET Next Gen, announced a year‑long collaboration designed to open doors for young professionals in the industry.

Four interns from Usher’s New Look’s Entertainment Industry Club: Live Touring Edition joined the BET Next Gen cohort during the awards week. Two of the interns were already touring with Usher and Chris Brown, and they spent the weekend working across BET’s Communications and PR, Social Media and Digital Operations, Marketing, Production, and Brand Creative teams. Their assignments ranged from coordinating live‑event production to crafting social‑media stories for the televised ceremony, giving them a front‑row view of how a major broadcast is assembled.

According to the press release, the partnership is designed to give emerging leaders hands‑on industry experience, executive mentorship, and real‑world learning opportunities. Usher said, “Providing young professionals with access to programs like BET Next Gen is about creating opportunities that inspire them to see what’s possible. Through this collaboration, we’re giving the next generation the chance to learn from industry leaders while investing in the talent that will shape our industry.”

BET President Louis Carr added, “At BET, our responsibility extends beyond telling stories. We have a responsibility to help develop the people who will tell the next generation of stories. Through BET Next Gen, we’re committed to providing emerging leaders with meaningful experiences that accelerate their professional growth and prepare them for lasting careers in media and entertainment.”

BGCGD President and CEO Shawn H. Wilson, who co‑founded Usher’s New Look, noted, “Creating a true entertainment industry talent pipeline takes intentionality and the right partners who believe in providing young professionals with the skills and access they need to be successful. We’re excited to partner with BET and continue knocking down barriers for the next generation.”

The initiative builds on the success of the Entertainment Industry Club: Live Touring Edition, a workforce‑development program created by Usher’s New Look and BGCGD. The program places participants in active roles across production, wardrobe, multimedia, and operations on a national concert tour, moving beyond traditional internships.

In addition to the awards‑week experience, the partnership will expand into a year‑long leadership and workforce‑development program anchored at Spark Lab Studios in Atlanta and Detroit. Participants will have dedicated spaces to train, create, and execute projects while learning directly from industry professionals through immersive experiences, executive mentorship, and ongoing professional development.

Usher’s New Look, founded in 1999, focuses on developing passion‑driven global leaders through mentorship and leadership programming. BGCGD serves more than 17,000 youth annually and integrates workforce readiness, entrepreneurship, mental wellness, and leadership development into its model.

BET, a unit of Paramount Media Networks, is the world’s largest media company rooted in community, culture, and connection for the Black community. BET’s portfolio includes BET, BET Her, BET Studios, VH1, and several FAST channels.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding access, cultivating leadership, and building an inclusive pipeline of future industry leaders. The year‑long program will offer industry certifications and real‑world skill development, positioning participants for careers across media, music, and entertainment.

The partnership has already produced measurable impact. Several members of the inaugural Live Touring Edition cohort continue to work on tour, while others have gained industry experience through BET Next Gen. The expanded program aims to sustain and broaden these pathways.

The next steps include launching the year‑long program in the coming months, with additional interns and participants expected to join the Spark Lab Studios training hubs in Atlanta and Detroit.

The collaboration demonstrates how non‑profit organizations, a major media company, and a high‑profile artist can combine resources to create tangible career opportunities for young people in the entertainment industry.