Usher’s Honorary Doctorate: A Testament to His Impact on Music and Education
The buzz around Usher Raymond IV is undeniable these days.
His Las Vegas residency, featuring sold-out shows, has people talking, as does the rumored altercation with Chris Brown during the successful Lovers and Friends Festival. Usher’s New Look non-profit has also earned him considerable support. Now, there is a new reason to celebrate the “Nice & Slow” singer.
Usher, an eight-time Grammy award-winner, will be awarded an honorary Doctor of Music degree from Berklee College of Music at their 2023 commencement ceremony. The event will take place on Saturday, May 13, at 10:00 a.m. at Boston University’s Agganis Arena. The announcement came from Usher’s mother, Jonnetta Patton, who shared the news on her Facebook account, expressing her pride in her son’s achievement.
Although Usher did not attend college, he is a high school graduate from North Springs High School in Atlanta, GA. His commitment to education is evident through his non-profit, Usher’s New Look, which promotes academic excellence and leadership among young people. Participants in the program, known as “Disruptivators,” discover their passions and strive to make a positive impact in the world.
Geoff Streat, the chief operations officer at Usher’s New Look, praises Usher’s dedication to shaping a generation of Disruptivators, emphasizing how he leads by example in terms of financial stability, academic success, and political advocacy. These values are instilled in the young people Usher’s non-profit serves.
Usher will be in esteemed company at the Berklee commencement ceremony, as singer-songwriter Roberta Flack, a four-time Grammy Award winner, and renowned kora player Sona Jobarteh will also be receiving honorary doctorates from the prestigious institution.
