Your enthusiasm brought this garden gathering to life, supporting student scholarships and creating a community where Trojans can find connection and belonging. Thanks to your generosity, our community raised more than $42,000 for Lambda scholarships!
Dallas Dishman MA ’97, PhD ’03
Executive Director, The David Geffen Foundation
Remi Wolf ’18
Singer/Songwriter
Tony Hoang ’11
Executive Director, Equality California and Silver State Equality
Michael Amato ’26, MPA ’27
USC Sol Price School of Public Policy
USC Alumni Association
The David Bohnett Foundation
Kyle Lynn ’08, MS ’14
USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
Paul Corwin Ballard ’85
USC Asian Pacific Alumni Association
USC Black Alumni Association
USC Credit Union
USC Latino Alumni Association
CARDINAL SPONSORS
Ace Alarm, Inc.
Stacy Codikow ’84
Haven Park Las Vegas
The Latimer Group
They | Them
Director of Coaching and Facilitation | The Latimer Group
Dr. Jay Prewitt-Cruz ’23 (he/they) is an alumnus of the University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education, where they earned a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership. Their doctoral dissertation delves into the critical yet under-explored subject of “Understanding Queer Leadership in Corporate America.” They received the Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA.
Jay is currently the Director of Coaching and Facilitation at The Latimer Group, a consulting firm renowned for its focus on persuasive communication. At The Latimer Group, Jay leads a distinguished faculty of coaches and facilitators while also directing the firm’s Diversity and Belonging initiatives. Jay is the architect behind their executive coaching program, working closely with leaders from a variety of sectors, including multinational corporations, start-ups, non-profits, and academia. Their work aims to not just improve communication, but to make it inclusive and belonging-centered, thereby redefining organizational landscapes.
Beyond his professional commitments, Jay has served on the Board of Directors for The LGBTQ Center of Orange County and was part of the Human Rights Campaign Orange County Steering Committee. Jay is currently active in the USC Lambda Alumni Association Student Engagement Committee.
Jay has ambitious future goals: they aim to expand his research on queer leadership, create new pathways for aspiring queer leaders, and improve the lives of human capital within corporations, thereby improving organizational performance and bottom line.
Residing in Long Beach, California, Jay shares his life with his partner, Kamil Prewitt-Cruz (she/her), and their rescue dog, Zeke. With such an extensive range of experience and service, Jay is not just a leader but a changemaker who is committed to transforming the narrative around leadership and diversity, inclusion, and belonging in today’s corporate environment.
He | Him | His
Program Coordinator | State Bar of California
Terrell M. Green (MSDMM) is a Los Angeles–based theatre producer, writer, and digital strategist, and the founder of 267 Productions Co., a hybrid theatre-tech company developing bold, original work for contemporary audiences. His projects blend historical storytelling, media, and cultural commentary, including the rap-poetic stage production Harriet Tubman: Love Slave, which was recently featured on CNN’s First of All with Victor Blackwell.
Originally from Philadelphia, Terrell holds a B.A. in Theatre Performance from Marymount Manhattan College and an M.S. in Digital Media Management from USC’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. He also earned a Professional Certificate in Shakespeare Performance from the British American Drama Academy at Oxford University Magdalen College during the Midsummer in Oxford program. Professionally, he serves as a Program Analyst on the State Bar of California’s communications team, working at the intersection of media, strategy, and public engagement. In addition to this work, Terrell develops data-informed theatre that centers Black American history, LGBTQIA+ narratives, and public health issues through the arts.
Since 2000, the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association has honored LGBTQ+ and allied Trojans for their service in advancing USC Lambda’s mission, serving as role models and heightening the visibility of the LGBTQ+ community at large.
Our 33rd Annual Scholarship Benefit will raise funds to award scholarships to deserving USC students who demonstrate a commitment to Lambda’s mission of strengthening the LGBTQ+ community. At the benefit, we will also recognize distinguished alumni for their extraordinary merit or service, as well as an exceptional scholar for their academic achievement and/or scholarly work.
Award Descriptions
Community Ally Award
This award recognizes organizations or individuals for their longstanding support of the LGBTQ+ community. Through their service and advocacy, they have enabled the advancement of the USC Lambda LGBTQ+ Alumni Association.
Outstanding Student Scholar Award
This award, presented to a current USC Lambda Scholar, celebrates students who have gone above and beyond to support USC Lambda’s mission and foster a culture of inclusivity and acceptance on the USC campus.
Trailblazer Award
Dedicated to a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community, this award recognizes individuals whose personal and professional advocacy has propelled the LGBTQ+ cause forward, paving the way for future activists and allies to succeed.
Visionary Leader Award
Dedicated to exemplary leaders of the LGBTQ+ community or ally, whose vision and dedication have significantly advanced diversity, equity, and inclusion in their professional and community endeavors.
Equity Leadership Award
Honoring outstanding leaders who exemplify exceptional leadership by inspiring progress and driving meaningful change within the LGBTQ+ community. Their unwavering dedication to advocacy, mentorship, and equality shines as a beacon of hope, fostering a world where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can thrive, feel empowered, and reach their full potential.