Wednesday, September 24, 2008

"I Can't But You Can":

USHER and USC Team Up To Get Youth Votes

Kicking off this past summer, Usher launched the "I Can't But You Can" voter registration campaign for youths ages 17 and under to encourage adults to vote. This election has proved pivotal in bolstering more youth support than any other election and Usher, a famous and influential face for teens, is capitalizing on this exciting reality by taking his cause to college campuses. 

"This is such a historic election that I wanted to find a way to give youth 17 and under a voice," says Usher. "I wanted young people to understand, that this election does impact their life." "It affects the type of education they receive, if they’ll receive healthcare when they’re sick and if they'll have help getting into college."

Many celebrities simply hold press conferences and make appearances to talk about an important issue, but Usher is using his celebrity to actually implement an initiative to change the way youths view the vote.

The first stop of the campaign in Georgia boasts 350 youths registering almost 1,000 voters. The campaign will grow nationally this Saturday; visiting Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, New Orleans and Oakland. It is anticipated that more than 4,000 youths will register 17,000 new voters.

As the Youth Chair of Service Nation, an organization dedicated to restoring the tradition of service to one's country, Usher Raymond has launched this campaign in conjunction with his Day of Action challenge to America's youth, which offers tickets to his concert in Washington, D.C. on election day in exchange for a youth who can collectively inspire 100 hours of service.


Who: MTV's TRL Host Quddus, DJ Dre w, Recording Artist Mateo, the USC
Marching Band and USC Hip Hop Dance Troupe BREAKTHROUGH

What: Community-wide voter registration rally

When: Saturday, Sept. 27th
12 – 2 p.m.

Where: McCarthy Quad

Why: to encourage youths ages 17 and under, who are not eligible to vote, to inspire adults to exercise their voting rights during the November election


Kicking off this past summer, Usher launched the "I Can't But You Can" voter registration campaign for youths ages 17 and under to encourage adults to vote.

"This is such a historic election that I wanted to find a way to give youth 17 and under a voice," says Usher. "I wanted young people to understand, that this election does impact their life." "It affects the type of education they receive, if they’ll receive healthcare when they’re sick and if they'll have help getting into college."

The first stop of the campaign in Georgia boasts 350 youths registering almost 1,000 voters. The campaign will grow nationally this Saturday; visiting Boston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, New Orleans and Oakland. It is anticipated that more than 4,000 youths will register 17,000 new voters.

As the Youth Chair of Service Nation, an organization dedicated to restoring the tradition of service to one's country, Usher Raymond has launched this campaign in conjunction with his Day of Action challenge to America's youth, which offers tickets to his concert in Washington, D.C. on election day in exchange for a youth who can collectively inspire 100 hours of service.

Click Here to Watch Usher and Columbia Student Leaders Talk About Service: