Join the USC BAA at Theatre Night on 
Thursday, September 4, 2003 at the Mark Taper Forum. 
ONLY A FEW TICKETS LEFT! Call 213.740-8342 today!

All tickets are center section and are $38.00 each. 
MC/VISA/Discover and Personal Checks welcome.

We will gather before the performance and invite you to join us 
for networking and a quick bite on us from 6 to 7:30pm. 

The latest in a celebrated decade-by-decade chronicle 
of black America. This is how it all begins.

August Wilson's 
GEM OF THE OCEAN

Directed by Marion McClinton 
World Premiere Production

With (alphabetically)
Anthony Chisholm 
Yvette Gainer 
Reuben Santiago Hudson 
Peter Francis James 
Phylicia Rashad 
Raynor Scheine 
Al White

Set Design: David Gallo 
Costume Design: Constanza Romero 
Lighting Design: Donald Holder 
Sound Design: Dan Moses Schreier 
Original Music: Kathryn Bostic

For the full story....

"Easily the most celebrated African-American playwright living." -Evan Henerson, Daily News

USC BAA SC vs. Notre Dame Weekender Exclusive Event
featuring listening party with 
Hidden Beach Recording Artist Jeff Bradshaw

Join us in Chicago for the Notre Dame vs. USC game weekender, in which we will feature an invitation-only listening party with Hidden Beach's new recording artist and spectacular trombonist, Jeff Brashaw. You will have an opportunity to sample the sounds of Bradshaw during the listening party, at which time he will autograph purchased copies of his new CD, "Bone Deep". "Bone Deep," features the hip neo-soul sounds of Jill Scott, Darius Rucker, Floetry, Glenn Lewis, Bilal, Carol Riddick, & N'Dambi.

This hot listening party will take place at the plush W Hotel on Lake Shore Drive and is invitation only. Please RSVP no later than October 6, 2003 by emailing obap@alumnicenter.usc.edu, calling (213) 740-8342 or visiting our website at www.alumni.usc/edu/baa if you are interested in participating in this exciting event. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the CD, will help fund a scholarship for a USC student from Chicago for the 2004-2005 academic school year. Help out a future USC student and come out & support us.

In addition, the USC BAA has negotiated a fabulous rate at the W Hotel, 644 North Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611 for $179 / night. Call the W Hotel directly at (312) 943-9200 to reserve your spot!

Don't miss the opportunity to network and support other members of the Trojan family! We look forward to seeing you there!

For your convenience, we have teamed up with American Airlines to offer group rates for travel to the Notre Dame Weekender and The USC BAA Trojan Legacy Homecoming Weekend.  Make your reservations today and save up to 10% off the current discounted rates. 

Call 800.433-1790.  For Notre Dame Weekender use Star File: USC BAA #62H3AZ and for Homecoming '03 travel use Star File: USC BAA Homecoming #64H3AZ. Rates prevail 4 days before and 4 days after each event.

Network at the Bay Area Weekender 
with 3 top alums in the business world

Don't forget to get your tickets for the Bay Area Weekender and cheer on the Trojans against Berkeley on September 23rd. The BAA North Chapter will be hosting a networking reception with the opportunity to meet and greet some of USC's top alumni in the business world:

• Alumnus Hiram Willis, new president and CEO of SmartChip Technologies
• Alumna Lori Waldon DeAdwyler who was recently named managing editor of KPIX channel 5, CBS's San Francisco affiliate
• Alumnus Sanford Livingston, Vice President of Wells Fargo's Commercial Banking Division

For more information, contact Lisha Bell at baanorth@alumnicenter.usc.edu 

• Do you ever feel that you are working overtime to put others at ease?
• Or that you have to leave your true self at the door in order to placate White colleagues?
• Do you downplay your abilities or strengths for fear of outshining Black men?
• Do you speak one way at the office, another way to your girlfriends?
• Is it sometimes a struggle to feel good about your looks?

Alumna Charisse Jones launches her new, dynamic book
Shifting: The Double Lives of Black women in America
and goes on a nationwide tour

Alumna Charisse Jones and Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Ph.D. are co-authors of Shifting: The Double Lives of Black women in America, a dynamic book that takes an in depth look at the stories of 400 women who tell about the "triumphs and challenges" of being a Black woman in America. For Jones and these women, shifting often involves altering the way they look, speak and behave in order to cope with racial and gender bigotry. Jones and Shorter-Gooden even suggest that Black women also shift emotionally while grappling with issues of self esteem. However, "shifting" not only encompasses these Black women's struggle, but also their ability to fight back.

Shifting will be in stores next week, so be sure to pick up a copy! Jones and Shorter-Gooden will soon be on tour with their book, which will take them to New York, Washington, DC, Atlanta, Detroit, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. You may visit www.BlackWomenShifting.com for more information.

Ms. Charisse Jones is currently a New York correspondent for USA Today, and a contributing writer for Essence magazine. As an award winning journalist, Ms. Jones has served as a staff writer for both The New York Times and The Los Angeles Times. She was awarded a Pulitzer Prize during her stint at The LA Times for an article that she co-wrote covering the Los Angeles riots.

For the full story....

An Evening with Wynton Marsalis
Wed, November 5, 2003 at 7:00 pm

USC Spectrum presents a President's Distinguished Artist Series Event Featuring The Wynton Marsalis Septet and the USC Thornton Jazz Orchestra.

Through consistent performing, workshops and his founding of the successful program Jazz at Lincoln Center, Marsalis has rejuvenated widespread interest in the art form.

Marsalis has won nine Grammy Awards in both jazz and classical music. He was named one of Time Magazine's 25 Most Influential People in 1996 for his significant contributions to the world's cultural landscape.

Admission: General Public, $40; USC Faculty/Staff & Seniors, $20; USC Students with valid ID, $10

For the full story....

Get involved with a USC BAA Event or Committee

Want to get involved in excitement of Homecoming? Well, you are invited to join the Event Committee. We need writers, graphic designers, publicity assistants, you name it! If you are interested, please email us at obap@alumnicenter.usc.edu

Mentors are still needed. We're looking for diverse backgrounds and occupations. Share your expertise and knowledge of your professional field with aspiring students. The Office of Black Alumni Programs seeks enthusiastic mentors to help students prepare for the field of their choice. Don't hesitate, log on to our website at http://alumni.usc.edu/baa or email us at obap@alumnicenter.usc.edu. 

For More Volunteer Opportunities log-on to http://alumni.usc.edu/baa/volunteer.htm