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DETROIT NATIVE REBECCA WILLIAMS WINS 2012 GLOBAL YOUTH
7/27/2012
Usher’s New Look Foundation, a non-profit organization founded by Usher Raymond IV, honors Rebecca Williams with its 2012 Youth Leadership Award during the groups third annual World Leadership Conference in Atlanta, GA, at Emory University held June 19-23, 2012.
The award honors an individual that uses his or her talents and passions to ignite change, empower others and make a difference.
Williams, a member of Usher’s New Look Foundation since 2009, chosen from a group of 150 youths for her work that included a video she wrote, filmed and starred-in on the issue of bullying. The video titled, Bully "Betrayed Youth" (link to video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0_fgflc0TU) explores the root causes of why kids become bullies, and the concept that they themselves are victims of neglect, which is the reason they lash out at others.
“Rebecca is a tremendous young lady and a shinning example of what our youth can do to make a difference and create change, “said Dee Dee McKinney Odom, Director of Public Affairs for MGM Grand Detroit, which supports the Detroit Usher's New Look Foundation through its “Touching Community, Touching Lives" initiative.
Williams is currently interning at General Electric in Atlanta as part of her award and will be entering her sophomore year at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) in Allendale Charter Township, MI. During her freshman year at GVSU,
Williams coordinated a three-day clothes drive to benefit “In the Image”, a Grand Rapids based non-profit that provides gently used clothes and other items to the needy in western Michigan.
The World Leadership Conference is an annual initiative that brings together celebrities, influencers, newsmakers and accomplished youth from around the world, with the goal of educating and empowering young people in New Look's four pillars: talent, education, career and service.
About Usher's New Look Foundation Established in 1999, Usher’s New Look Foundation has mentored over 10,000 youth through over 200,000 hours of training across its four leadership pillars – talent, education, career and service. Through the development of innovative programs and a culture of consistent evaluation, reflection and refinement, New Look has achieved the gold standard in leadership development and success for youth. Now in its twelfth year, New Look has seen 98% of participating youth graduate high school and go on to college. http://www.ushersnewlook.org/.
About MGM Grand Detroit
A Forbes Four-Star and AAA Four Diamond Award-winning hotel, MGM Grand Detroit is the city's first and only downtown hotel, gaming, and entertainment destination built from the ground up. The hotel features 400 chic and stylish guest rooms, including nine rooftop VIP suites and 56 opulent corner suites. Guests can enjoy two signature restaurants by one of the world’s preeminent celebrity chefs, Michael Mina; in-room dining, in addition to casual restaurants; lounges, including a relaxed piano-style bar; high-energy nightlife; the only
resort-style spa in Southeast Michigan; and 30,000 square feet of meeting space capable of hosting everything from large corporate events to intimate black-tie engagements. MGM Grand Detroit is a wholly owned subsidiary of MGM Resorts International™ (NYSE: MGM). Leveraging MGM Resorts' unmatched amenities, the M life rewards program delivers exclusive access, one-of-a-kind experiences,
insider privileges, personalized rewards and partnership offers for both gaming and non-gaming members at the Company's renowned resorts nationwide. For
more information, visit www.mgmgranddetroit.com or call toll free at (888) 646-3387.
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