Usher, honored as FORD FREEDOM AWARD SCHOLAR in Detroit

DETROIT (WXYZ) – Pop music star Usher and Ebony magazine publisher John H. Johnson will be honored tonight as the 2010 recipients of the Ford Freedom Award.

The annual awards gala takes place as a fundraiser for the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History and is now in its 12th year. WXYZ’s own Chuck Stokes will emcee the event.

Usher will be honored as the Ford Freedom Award Scholar, an honor he receives not just for his musical accomplishments, but for his entrepreneurial achievements and his work with young people. His Usher's New Look Foundation brings 1,300 diasadvantaged kids to Atlanta each year for a sports and entertainment camp.

As part of the Ford Freedom Award celebration, Usher spoke to 1,600 students at the Music Hall in downtown Detroit and took time to congradulate the winners of the program's annual essay writing contest.

The 5-time Grammy-winner also runs a successful record label and is a part owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team.

Johnson, who passed away in 2005, is well known for his work in developing both Ebony and JET magazines into icons of the African American community.

On Saturday, May 8, 2010, both men will be profiled in a 30-minute special at 7 p.m. on WXYZ-TV Channel 7.

Video by: http://www.pamperrypr.com RED CARPET social media



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