Is Washington Keeping Usher From the Cleveland Cavaliers?
Corrected on 4/23/09: Usher Raymond says a child dies from malaria every 30 seconds. And his full name is Usher Raymond IV.
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
He campaigned for Barack Obama, just teamed with Ted Turner's effort to curb malaria in Africa, and is raising his 15-month-old baby boy, Usher Raymond V, so megastar Usher Raymond IV hasn't had much time left over for his team, the Cleveland Cavaliers. In fact, the co-owner has already missed two playoff games, prompting team star LeBron James to mock him. "I ran into LeBron, and he asked, 'Are you still part of this team?'" Usher told us today.
This week he had an excuse. Ted Turner is to announce that Usher has joined the United Nations Foundation's bid to send thousands of bed nets to African towns afflicted by malaria, which is carried by mosquitoes. With World Malaria Day on Saturday, the teaming is expected to draw new attention to a campaign that has already been joined by churches and volunteer groups around the nation.
"Every thirty seconds, a child dies from malaria in Africa," says Usher, in Washington for meetings with the United Nations. "We have a chance to lead the change."
Usher has a long record of volunteerism and mentoring. His New Look foundation mentors youths around the nation. With Turner and the United Nations, he sees his efforts going global. "There is so much more potential, and the United Nations is open to service on a global scale, and I hope to continue to bring ideas," he told us. We will have more on his efforts and teaming with the U.N. and White House in the U.S. News Weekly digital edition.
Tags: UN | sports | music | basketball | celebrities
Tools: 
Share
|
| Comments (7) | Print
Reader Comments
HATERS
I'M NOT SURE WHO HAS SO MUCH NEGATIVE TOWARD MR. USHER RAYMOND! BUT PLEASE STOP HATING. WHAT I DO WANT TO SAY IS I HAVE SEEN GREAT THINGS IN USHER. ALL YOU HATERS SITTING WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED, OPEN THEM AND TAKE A LOOK. HE HAS DONE WONDERFUL THINGS WITH THE YOUTH, SCHOOLS, AND IN THE COMMUNITY. I MUST SAY HE IS QUIET THE MAN, LOOK EVEN THOUGH HE AND HIS WIFE (TAMEKA) WAS SEPARATED, WHEN SHE HAD HER NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE WITH DEATH, USHER AS A LOYAL HUSBASND, FATHER, FRIEND WAS RIGHT THERE TO HOLD HIS WIFE'S HAND. I BELIEVE THIS MAN AS COME TO PROVE THAT THE CURVE BALLS THAT WAS THROWN TO HIM WAS HIT OR MISS, BUT HE STILL MANAGED TO HOLD HIS HEAD HIGH AND CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIS WIFE AND HOLD DOWN HIS CAREER.. I THINK ALL OF YOU NEGATIVE HATERS SHOULD GET ON A SMALL BOAT ALL CRAMMED TOGETHER AND HEAD OUT TO SEA WITH A PUNCTURES PIN HOLE IN THE BOTTOM. STOP SWEATING THIS MAN LET HIM DO WHAT HE'S BEEN DOING AND JUST SUPPORT HIM. I LOVE YOU USHER KEEP YOU HEAD UP AND BE STRONG, I WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU AND ALL OF YOUR MUSIC CAREERS. YOUR AWESOME. OH! YEAH TO THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS, KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO AND BE STRONG. CLEVELAND DIE HARD FAN HERE. USHER WORDS OF ADVISE I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN MISTAKES YOU MAY OR MAY HAVE NOT MADE IN THE PAST. BUT ONLY YOU AND GOD KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, EVERYTHING THE WORLD HAS TO SAY IS THEIR OPINIONS, ONLY GOD CAN JUDGE YOU. I WILL CONTINUE TO BE YOUR BIGGEST FAN BABY.. LOVE YOU ALWAYS MZ. D'LICIOUZ..
stop hating
Usher is who is seems. Been active for 10 years in the community. I hope he continues to demonstrate such passion for youth and service.
would be nice
If Usher's agenda wasn't this unnecessarily busy he could contribute to our teams marketing appeal. It could most definatly make us look more glamorous God knows we don't have as much as L.A. or Jew York.
advertisement
