Scholarship Benefit - USC Alumni Association

Saturday, March 30, 2024

Mark your calendars now: our 48th Annual USC BAA Scholarship Benefit will take place on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Avalon Hollywood & Bardot!

One of our most popular events, our annual scholarship benefit honors important contributions to diversity and inclusion that align with our mission. Although the event format and/or venue varies each year, the scholarship benefit always recognizes outstanding USC Black alumni and noted civic leaders. Past scholarship benefits have included a celebration of the work of groundbreaking Black architect Paul Revere Williams (USC Class of 1919), as well as such stage productions as Speak of Me as I Am (the story of Paul Robeson), and performances by recording artists Gerald Albright, Anthony Hamilton and Lalah Hathaway.

We are now accepting nominations for next year’s scholarship benefit awards. Over the years, we have recognized civic leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, academics, community advocates and trailblazers in a wide range of fields. Past honorees include Dr. Wanda Austin, Forest Whitaker, Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray and Diamonte “Saweetie” Harper.

Learn more and nominate someone using this form. The deadline for nominations is Sunday, October 29, 11:59 p.m. (PDT).

Since its founding in 1976, the BAA has awarded nearly $5 million to more than 4,000 students. We invite you to join us next March to continue this important tradition.

Venue

Avalon Hollywood is a historic live entertainment venue located at the world-famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine. Built in 1927, the venue has been thoughtfully restored and thoroughly maintained over the years and features state-of-the-art sound, lighting and visuals. Bardot is a nightclub and special events space located upstairs of the Avalon.

2023 Sponsors

Thank you to our 2023 sponsors!

Platinum

Gold

Cardinal

Trojan

Bank of America
Brotherhood Crusade
Chubb Insurance
Daniel Prince Family and Friends
Donald Dean
Donovan Green
Haltere Group
Ian Chestnut
Kedra Ishop/ USC Enrollment Services
LA’s Best
Mary Ann Brennan
Merril Lynch Wealth Management
Morgan Stanley Wealth Management
Neighborhood Academic Initiative (NAI)
Stephanie Farmer
Simeon Stewart
USC Alumni Association
USC Annenberg School of Communication & Journalism
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
USC Credit Union
USC Gould School of Law
USC Latino Alumni Association
USC Lambda LGBTQ+
USC Marshall School of Business
USC Marshall School of Business Lloyd Grief Center

Please visit our registration page to become a sponsorship and for advertisement opportunities. Questions? Please contact Faithe Clary at (213) 821-1526 or via email at faithe.clary@usc.edu.

2023 Honorees

Congratulations to Our 2023 Honorees!

Outstanding Black Alumni Award

Daniel Prince ’00, MA ’02

Hiring Partner & Vice Chair, Los Angeles Litigation Department Paul Hastings LLP

Daniel Prince is a partner in the Litigation Department of the global law firm Paul Hastings LLP. He also serves as vice chair of the Litigation Department and hiring partner in the firm’s Los Angeles office. Recently named one of Lawdragon’s “500 Leading Litigators in America,” Prince represents clients in corporate and government investigations and complex litigation matters, including domestic and international arbitration, trials and class actions. He is a double USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism alumnus.

Barbara Solomon Staff & Faculty Award

Miki Turner MCG ’18

Associate Professor of Professional Practice USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Miki Turner is an associate professor of professional practice at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, where she also received a graduate degree. In the 1990s, she became the first Black woman to write a regularly featured sports column for a major daily newspaper when she joined the Oakland Tribune. Turner later worked for such media outlets as ESPN and Jet magazine. In 2022, she was named the National Association of Black Journalists Educator of the Year.

Reverend Thomas Kilgore, Jr. Service Award

Kiesha Nix

Vice President Charitable Affairs Los Angeles Lakers

Kiesha Nix made history when she became the first Black woman vice president in the Los Angeles Lakers organization in 2021. She had previously served as the executive director of the Lakers Youth Foundation. In her current position, she oversees and directs programming and funding priorities for the team’s charitable arm. In 2002, Nix made EBONY’s Power 100 List in the “Community Crusaders” category. Outside of work, she serves on the BAA’s Corporate Advisory Council and mentors young people.