Usher and Big Sean are joining forces to give back to the youth of Sean’s hometown Detroit. The pair of music titans teamed up to invest $1 million in an entertainment production facility.
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The Detroit Entertainment Innovation Incubator will be located in the Michigan Central Boys & Girls Club and is set to contain a virtual production studio, special effects lab and creators lounge.
In addition to Usher’s New Look and the Sean Anderson Foundation, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment and Emory University’s Goizueta Business School are also on board as partners.
“I’ve always been a true believer in igniting a spark in the next generation to be better and have access to things we didn’t,” Usher said in a statement. “This new Spark Lab in Detroit with my friend and fellow Boys & Girls Club alum Big Sean will not only minimize the access gap for the youth but also prepare them for greatness. It takes just one person to believe in your success, and I’m honored to be one of many in this partnership to help make that happen.”
Big Sean has always remained heavily involved in improving Detroit and assisting the community. This endeavor marks his fifth signicant investment on behalf of the Sean Anderson Foundation since 2018.
“Detroit is where my creativity was born. From freestyling in my mom’s basement to performing on the biggest stages in the world. My mission has always been to make sure the next generation of dreamers and innovators from my city have the access, tools, and mentorship to do the same,” Big Sean added. “The Innovation Incubator is about showing young people that they don’t have to leave Detroit to chase opportunity; they can build it right here.”
Detroit youth ages 14 through 24 will now have access to premier creative programs, technology and gain real-life experience with personal workshops. They will be equipped with the proper skillsets to pursue careers in music, film, TV, AI and special effects.
A tentative ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new Michigan Central Boys & Girls Club is slated for February 2026.
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