Title: Programs and Communications Director
Company: Usher’s New Look
Location: Riverdale, Georgia, United States
Tony Betton Jr., programs and communications director at Usher’s New Look, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Artists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in youth engagement, nonprofit programming and media communications.
Since 2025, Mr. Betton has excelled as the director of programs and communications for Usher’s New Look. An alumnus of the organization, he has played a pivotal role in advancing its mission to empower under-resourced youth and communities by providing access to resources that help young people discover their passions and develop essential skills. Usher’s New Look, founded by pop music icon Usher Raymond, partners with organizations such as IBM Skills Build to offer free credentialing opportunities in cybersecurity, data analytics and project management.
In his present position, Mr. Betton leads initiatives that introduce generative artificial intelligence to students through microlearning and branding strategies, teaching them to enhance their pitches using platforms like Canva and Adobe. His expertise in programming, partnerships, youth engagement and organizational growth has contributed significantly to the nonprofit’s impact in Atlanta, Georgia and Detroit, Michigan.
Mr. Betton was previously active with 21Alive WPTA as a morning anchor and reporter of special projects from 2020 to 2023 and a talk show host from 2023 to 2025. He also worked as a freelance press ambassador on behalf of Black Entertainment Television LLC from 2018 to 2024. From 2017 to 2024, he was appointed as the alumni and Disruptivator Summit emcee for Usher’s New Look. Earlier in his career, Mr. Betton completed a studio production internship with Disney/ABC News Good Morning America at Walt Disney Television from 2019 to 2020.
Moreover, Mr. Betton was notable as a brand ambassador, radio personality and host with Stationhead Inc. in 2019. He gained additional valuable newsroom experience as an intern at FOX 5 Atlanta WAGA-TV and WSB TV during 2019 and 2018 respectively. In 2019, he was selected as a CBC-UNC Diversity Fellow and alumni at WRAL TV News through Capitol Broadcasting Company Inc. and the Hussman School of Media and Journalism at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Mr. Betton also refined his skill set as a brand ambassador for ONE Musicfest in 2019.
Between 2018 and 2019, Mr. Betton contributed as a producer and set production team member for The Atlanta Association of Black Journalists. Prior to these posts, he completed internships with Ryan Seacrest Studios for “The Voice” from 2015 to 2018 and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2018. He also provided his time and knowledge to his community as a youth leader, motivational speaker and entertainer at The King Center in 2014. At Georgia State University between 2014 and 2016, he reported for Panther Report News and participated on the Spotlight Programs Board marketing committee.
Mr. Betton began his career in entertainment as a red carpet correspondent and broadcasting intern for The King Center between 2009 and 2018. During this time, he explored different facets of the industry as an actor and model signed to the J Pervis Talent Agency from 2011 to 2016, a teaching assistant at the Alliance Theater in 2013, and a student ambassador and mogul-in-training for Usher’s New Look from 2011 to 2020. Furthermore, Mr. Betton diversified his practical skills as a team member with CFA Properties Inc. from 2012 to 2014 and a student assistant for University Career Services from 2014 to 2015.
Mr. Betton is highly regarded for his expertise in programming, partnerships, youth engagement, internships, Atlanta and Detroit initiatives, website graphics, social media strategy, local media relations, public relations collaboration with Usher’s team, organizational growth and brand popularity. Achieving this level of proficiency reflects his commitment to advancing both his organization’s mission and the broader field of nonprofit youth empowerment.
To support his professional ambitions, Mr. Betton notably earned a Bachelor of Arts in broadcast journalism from Georgia State University in 2019. He previously graduated from Mt. Zion Fine Arts Magnet High School with a diploma focused on general studies, broadcasting, acting and theatre in 2014. As an advanced placement honors student who ranked among the top ten percent of his class, he credits his academic achievements with laying the foundation for his success in journalism and communications. Mr. Betton likewise acquired multiple certificates to broaden his capabilities within his field, including a public speaking certifications from Ronni Wells’ Ten-A-Day Speaks Gavel Club and Toastmasters International, a set production assistant certification from Open Rivers Pictures, a national youth leadership instructor certification from Usher’s New Look Academy and Emory University, an emerging leaders program certification from Georgia State University, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Kingian Nonviolence Principles instructor certificate signed by Rev. Dr. Bernice King, Martin Luther King III, The King Center and Emory University.
Throughout his career, Mr. Betton has maintained his affiliation with numerous professional organizations including the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, the Urban League of Greater Atlanta Young Professionals, YNPN Atlanta, Public Relations Society of America Inc., and the National Association of Black Journalists, where he was previously elected as president, He further operates as tour director for Usher’s nonprofit organization while continuing his long-standing involvement as youth leader and trainer with Usher’s New Look since 2011. He also founded M.A.D.E., which stands for Men Achieving & Developing Excellence, where he worked as president from 2017 to 2019. Additionally, Mr. Betton offered his time and dedication as motivational speaker or event host for Hosea Feed The Hungry & Homeless Inc.
Mr. Betton has received numerous accolades recognizing his academic excellence and professional achievement, such as the ATL’s Hottest Rising Superstar In Media Award by Bryant Marshall in 2018, the iCare Employee Excellence Award in 2018, the King On The Scene Award by Dr. Angela Harris at the B.L.A.C.K. I Am Awards in 2018, the Youth Empowerment Award from Cornelius Stafford and One Hundred Black Men of DeKalb County, and Youth Entrepreneur Award by Rev Al Sharpton & Mary Pat Hector through National Action Network Youth Move, among many others. She has also received scholarships from the Radio Television Digital News Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, the Georgia Student Finance Commission, and AFLAC, to name a few. Mr. Betton fondly recalls being honored with the Lifestyle Achievement Award and the Silver Award for Volunteer Service from President Joe Biden, the latter of which he was acknowledged as the youngest recipient to date.
Mr. Betton’s creative contributions include writing “Old Detroit Train Station Heading In New Direction,” which was published by NABJ in 2018, as well as features for Rolling Out Magazine and YBE Magazine. His reporting on Beyoncé & Solange Knowles for Hello Giggles and Yahoo.com went viral in 2017.
Mr. Betton attributes much of his success to community support experienced growing up an only child within a single-parent household. Throughout his formative years, his mother’s guidance instilled in him the importance of humility, persistence, overcoming adversity, and embracing his passions. He was likewise inspired to remain involved with various extracurricular organizations to support his community and expand his cultural footprint while making a difference in the lives of those in need.
Looking toward the future, Mr. Betton plans to establish his own foundation dedicated to providing opportunities across entertainment industry sectors including media production, finance, sales, and medical-related fields. He also aims to challenge the status quo while expanding services offered through his production company The REP (Representing Everything Positive) Zone, creating unique live experiences tailored toward those who value meaningful connections even amid technological advancement.
For more information, please visit:
LinkedIn
Personal Website
Contact Mr. Betton: