The USC Black Alumni Association is committed to serving and uniting African-American and African Descended alumni for the purpose of advancing the interests of the University, while recruiting, mentoring and retaining African-American students in all academic fields. The USC BAA is an organization that strives to build an identity and greater sense of belonging for African-American and African Descended students and alumni, and to recognize our achievements and organizations through networking, the promotion of the history of Blacks at USC and participation in the greater Los Angeles Black community. In all that we do, we will endeavor to:

• Reach out to connect, serve and engage Black alumni, life-long and worldwide.
• Connect alumni to each other and the University through meaningful communication, programs and events.
• Design and execute a comprehensive fundraising plan to fund the Black alumni scholarship fund, programs, operations and initiatives.
• Facilitate a high level of volunteerism so that the Black Alumni Association, the University and the community-at-large, benefit from USC's diverse interests, talents and backgrounds.
• Encourage investment and support for the University in its successful pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and service.
• Celebrate the rich history of USC Black alumni through building upon the best of our traditions and accomplishments.

HISTORY OF THE BAA

The USC Black Alumni Association (BAA) was founded in 1976 by the renowned civil rights activist Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. then USC Presidential Advisor and Director of Special Community Affairs. The BAA was created to not only provide scholarships for students, but to facilitate a comprehensive network among alumni, faculty & staff, students and friends of the University in advancing the interests and needs of the USC African-American community, and community-at-large

Originally called "Ebonics", "Black Alumni Association" was added in 1988 to acknowledge the legacy of African-Americans who have been attending USC for over 80 years. To continue this legacy, the BAA- in addition to granting scholarships- is involved with the recruitment, retention, and mentoring of Black students. The BAA also sponsors alumni networking activities, fundraising programs, such as the BAA Annual Homecoming Celebration and the BAA Annual Alumni Awards & Scholarship Benefit, and other such activities.

Factors that are considered in awarding BAA Scholarships are financial need, extra-curricular activities, community service and overall academic/professional promise. However, the main concern is defying the cost of tuition, and each dollar awarded to an undergraduate student is matched 2 to 1 by the University. Therefore, a $1000 scholarship donation yields a $3000 tuition reduction. The BAA is also raising funds towards a minimum of $1,000,000 in scholarship endowments. Already, established are the Coors/Kilgore Scholarship Endowment, the Joan Fusilier Scholarship Endowment and the Thomas Kilgore, Jr. Scholarship Endowment.

BAA scholarships and endowment funds are raised through corporate contributions and fund-raising activities, as well as individual gifts and membership donations (both of which may be offset by employer/employee donor matching programs). Because of the collective efforts of the individuals and corporations that support the Organization, financial assistance from the BAA has enabled many students over the years to remain at the University. In fact, one of the BAA's former scholarship recipients is Oscar-nominated writer/director John Singleton.

The BAA leadership structure consists of three groups; The Board of Directors, the Honorary Board of Advisors and the Assembly; as well as eight administrative committees: Activities, Fundraising, Membership, Mentor Program, Newsletter, Recruitment, Retention, and Scholarship. The BAA Board of Directors consists of up to seventeen directors and six officers: President, President-Elect, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary and the Immediate Past President. Some of USC's outstanding African-American alumni and friends, are appointed to the BAA Honorary Board of Advisors and have been premier supporters of the BAA. The BAA Assembly has some the BAA's most outstanding volunteers, who sit on the BAA 's eight committees and help administrative BAA programs & events.

With your assistance, the BAA can continue to not only support Black students in matriculating and graduating from USC, but to address the needs of Black alumni, as well the overall USC Black community and community-at-large. We hope that you will join us in these efforts " to make a difference."

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