In partnership with PeerForward, Usher’s New Look facilitated “Crafting Your Elevator Pitch Using Generative AI” sessions at two Detroit high schools, Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence and the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy.
As snow covered the ground in front of Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence, things were heating up inside.
On December 11th, students from DEPSA ECE gathered in the auditorium; there they would learn how to utilize new technology, generative AI, to take on a classic concept – the elevator pitch.
DeniséAnn Malcolms led the room in a chant to get them geared up for the session, “Hey, Ho, Usher’s New Look got soul, YOU KNOW!” Usher’s New Look is a non-profit organization and catalyst for under-resourced youth around the world to find their spark (passion), graduate, and reach their full potential.
A big part of the session centered on identifying your “spark”; as students began to share their ideas aloud, DeniséAnn walked students through building their elevator IBM SkillsBuild, a professional development AI tool created for students.
The next day, another round of students at Jalen Rose Leadership Academy experienced their own spark. After they built their own elevator pitches, Jalen Rose Academy Peer Leaders spoke about their experience. Peer Leader, Khloe, said, “I learned that what builds you up is your spark and your talent.” Her fellow Peer Leader and Senior, Martez noted, “This is something that I can use for my college interviews and college fairs.”
Thank you to our facilitators DeniséAnn Malcolms and Xehara Pledger. Both facilitators are alumna of the Usher’s New Look Program, showing the impact that this leadership programming has is long lasting. Thank you to Usher’s New Look, Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence, and Jalen Rose Academy for this incredible event.
On February 4th, our Peer Leaders from Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence, University Preparatory Academy, and Jalen Rose Academy had the opportunity to attend a second activation with the Usher’s New Look Team.
Usher, Big Sean, their respective philanthropic organizations, and the Southeastern Michigan region of Boys and Girls Club opened a magnificent, state-of-the-art Spark Lab in Detroit the day prior. This lab will help young people explore high-growth careers across the creative economy, technology, and mobility sectors. Our students had the unique opportunity to attend a special, private session in the new facilities. It served as a continuum for the sessions that DEPSA-ECE and Jalen Rose Leadership Academy received in December, and fed directly into the programming that University Preparatory Academy received as well. Included was facilitation training to help our Peer Leaders deliver the content they experienced at their initial activations, along with some of the tips and tricks of facilitation exclusively done by Usher’s New Look.
Thank you, Usher’s New Look, for reconnecting with our Peer Leaders to further their professional development. We are forever grateful for your continued support of our Detroit students!
