News

BAA members at an outdoor event

Architect Paul Revere Williams’ archive acquired by USC and the Getty
The USC School of Architecture and the Getty Research Institute will work together to preserve and promote Williams’ legacy as a USC alum and legendary Black architect in Los Angeles.

Messages of hope and determination in alum’s film Miss Juneteenth
Channing Godfrey Peoples talks about the responsibility borne by Black artists, storytellers and creators today and the power of speaking your truth.

As one of the Tuskegee Airmen, this 100-year-old USC alum helped reshape the military
Ted Lumpkin Jr. overcame segregation and served honorably during World War II, even bringing some of the lessons he learned to his post-war career in social work.

Two USC alums devote themselves to anti-racism education
Through Instagram, Google Docs and a website, Autumn Gupta and Bryanna Wallace are offering ways for people to educate themselves about racism and white privilege.

Navy Reservist stands out as Trojan squad’s senior Spirit Leader
At 26, Erdavria Simpson has earned a master’s at USC, started an empowerment organization for communities of color, and stands ready to deploy.

USC DPT alumna Ashley Sinclair aims to launch nonprofit for black and brown girls with disabilities

Patrice Rushen goes back to her roots
The keyboardist, vocalist, composer and USC Thornton faculty member returns to the Monterey Jazz Festival on Friday. This time, she’s a featured member of the Christian McBride Situation, a funk-powered group that delivers a kaleidoscopic array of African American musical idioms.

Willie Wood, Pro Football Hall Of Famer and USC captain, 83
He was the first African American quarterback in Pac-12 history and played on the winning team in the first two Super Bowls.

Read these 11 books to better understand race and privilege in America
As protestors take to the streets, USC Dornsife faculty offer reading suggestions that provide historical and cultural background on the roots of American racism.

Coronavirus deaths and those of George Floyd and Ahmaud Arbery have something in common: racism
Stress from racial discrimination could partially explain why African Americans are at higher risk for severe COVID-19 outcomes.

COVID-related discrimination disproportionately impacts racial minorities
About 1 in 3 Black, Asian and Latino people have experienced at least one incident of COVID-19 discrimination, according to an ongoing national COVID-19 attitudes study from USC Dornsife. Incidents include being threatened or receiving poor service at restaurants or stores.

Why cellphone videos of black people’s deaths should be considered sacred, like lynching photographs
A USC Annenberg scholar explains why these easily accessed images should viewed with solemn reserve — and careful circulation.

Smartphone witnessing becomes synonymous with Black patriotism after George Floyd’s death
The form of observing, which documents human rights injustices against Black people, dates back to the days of Frederick Douglass, notes USC Annenberg’s Allissa Richardson.

Discrimination against Asian and black Americans rises during coronavirus outbreak
Researchers at the USC Dornsife Center for Economic and Social Research have found that unfair treatment against certain groups is more likely amid the global health crisis.

Throughout American history, economic interests have trumped human life
A USC Dornsife historian revisits several moments when Americans had to choose between human health and making money, noting that the money usually wins out.

Saying their names: USC hosts online vigil for Black lives lost
The Trojan Family honors George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and all of the Black lives lost at the hands of racism and oppression.

The Black Law Students Association celebrates more than 50 years of building diversity and community at Gould.

Newly unveiled mural will exemplify black excellence at USC
The mural, which will be the first to adorn the walls of the USC Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, features such luminaries as director John Singleton and Wanda Austin, who led the university in 2018-2019 as interim president.

Teacher bias devalues math skills of girls and students of color, USC research finds
According to the study, white teachers and teachers of color showed implicit biases toward white-sounding names and boys over girls.

Black Alumni Association pinning ceremony welcomes new Trojans
The tradition celebrates the incoming students and the powerful legacy of achievement and advancement at USC

Black Alumni Association Pinning Ceremony Welcomes New Trojans
USC News – Aug 26, 2019
The tradition celebrates the incoming students and the powerful legacy of achievement and advancement at USC.

DeVon Franklin: ‘You have what it takes to make it’
USC News – May 13, 2019
The preacher, author, producer and motivational speaker addresses the 2019 USC Marshall School of Business commencement ceremony.

National Society of Black Engineers Chapter at USC Named Best in the Nation
USC News – March 29, 2018
The national honor reflects the group’s strength in academic excellence, professional development and community outreach

Report: Public Colleges are Hindering Black Student Success
Rossier.usc.edu
A new report from the USC Race and Equity Center examines how public higher education treats black students, and finds states lacking.

Study Links Racism to Chronic Inflammation and Disease Risk Among African Americans
Dornsife.usc.edu – May 30, 2019
A study led by USC Dornsife psychology researcher April Thames may explain how racial discrimination raises the risks of disease among African Americans.

Meet Wanda Austin, The First Woman and African-American to Lead USC
USC News – Aug 21, 2018
The USC alumna and trustee talks about the challenges and opportunities ahead for the university, her plans as interim president, and a lifetime of breaking through barriers — but don’t call her a “pioneer.”

Dawnn Lewis Hosts ‘Focused N Fit’ Event for Youth
Lasentinel – May 31, 2018
Convened in partnership with USC Black Alumni Association, the event aimed to close the knowledge and needs gap.

Rise of a Leader Engineer
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Blog – May 8, 2018
USC NSBE President turns trials into triumphs by taking National Best Medium Chapter for NSBE while finishing her undergraduate degree at USC.

USC Program Creates Research Pathways for Undergrads in Science, Tech and Engineering
USC News – May 3, 2018
The Geobiology and Genomics Undergraduate Research Experiences program boosts diversity, helping students learn they can have stimulating experiences in research labs.

Nine Honored at 85th Annual USC Alumni Awards
USC News – Apr 30, 2018
Of the nine, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler received the Young Alumni Merit Award.

USC’s Chapter of National Society of Black Engineers Named Best in Nation
USC Viterbi School of Engineering Blog – Mar 28, 2018
The national honor reflects the group’s strength in academic excellence, professional development and community outreach.

Cheryl Boone Isaacs Feted by Hollywood’s Black Community at Pre-Oscars Dinner
Hollywood Reporter – Feb 28, 2018
Quincy Jones, Halle Berry, Kobe Bryant, Channing Dungey and Common were among many luminaries who toasted the Academy’s first black president at ICON MANN’s sixth annual dinner.

Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ May Inspire Black Students to Pursue Science Careers
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (press release) – Feb 16, 2018
Seeing black lead characters who are scientists in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’ could inspire future generations, USC Dornsife Professor Clifford Johnson and USC students weigh in.

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Aims to Decrease Disease Stigma
Daily Trojan Online – Feb 7, 2018
“HIV and AIDS disproportionately affects black youth,” said Tensie Taylor, assistant director of the USC Black Alumni Association. “To see some of the USC students [saying] they don’t even talk about their STDs or HIV status with their partner, I found that alarming because part of the ways you can prevent [the diseases] is to know your status — to have the conversation.”

USC Must Address Student Debt Crisis
Daily Trojan Online – Jan 26, 2018
The data showed 49 percent of black borrowers and 36 percent of Latino borrowers have defaulted on a student loan for their undergraduate education, compared to 21 percent of white borrowers. The report also analyzes college graduates in addition to overall loan borrowers, and within that statistic, 25 percent of black graduates tended to default.

Outreach Mission Takes Trojans to Nicaragua to Provide Desperately Needed Dental Care
USC News – Dec 27, 2017
The all-volunteer mission group includes students like Levi Powell, a DDS student whose passion for community service began as an undergraduate student at USC; he was active in fundraising for AIDS awareness and in student government, and is currently advising on new Black History Month banners to be installed on the University Park Campus in February.

USC’s Black Cultural Center Marks 40 Years as a Valued Venue for Candid Conversation
USC News – Dec 20, 2017
A national movement for ethnicity-based student services led to its creation four decades ago. Michèle Turner, executive director of the USC Black Alumni Association and freshman in 1977, said systems for class registration and tuition payment were confusing and subject to errors before the arrival of computers.

Black Alumni Shine for USC Homecoming
Lasentinel – Nov 11, 2017
“Ain’t no party like a USC BAA Party.” This was evident as hundreds of USC Black Alumni came out to celebrate, support and visit with old and new friends at the annual USC Black Alumni Association Homecoming Celebration, on Saturday, November 4, on the USC campus.

Profile: Reaching for the Stars
USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences (press release) – Oct 20, 2017
Alumnus Anthony Sparks, writer and co-executive producer on the acclaimed TV drama series “Queen Sugar,” credits USC Dornsife for his successful career.

USC Black Alumni Association’s “Fantastic Voyage” 2107 Scholarship Benefit
Lasentinel – Apr 15, 2017
Nearly 300 USC Black Alumni dined and celebrated in an “all white affair” on Saturday, March 25, aboard a four-level yacht in the Marina del Rey harbor, with a featured performance by Grammy Award winning artist Anthony Hamilton

Insightful Stories Help USC Athletics Mark Black History Month
USC News – Feb 8, 2017
Special website celebrates Trojan role models and their stories. In the latest entry, Steven Mitchell Jr. discusses the importance of his football family — and his fraternity.

Black Alumni Association Ceremony Welcomes New Students
USC News – Aug 23, 2016
Cecil L. Murray delivers the invocation at the 16th Annual Trojan Family Pinning and Affirmation Ceremony hosted by the USC Black Alumni Association.

USC Selects Black Alumni Association as ‘Volunteer Organization of The Year’
Lasentinel – Jul 6, 2016
The University of Southern California has announced that the USC Black Alumni Association has been chosen by the USC Alumni Association as the Volunteer Organization of the Year.