Welcome Pinning and Affirmation Ceremony
Saturday, August 24, 2024
1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Founders Park, USC University Park Campus
Saturday, August 24, 2024
The USC Black Alumni Association (USC BAA) is one of the first to welcome newly admitted graduate and undergraduate students to the new academic year during our Welcome Pinning and Affirmation Ceremony!
The USC Black Alumni Association Welcome Pinning and Affirmation Ceremony is a cherished tradition open to all newly admitted Black identified undergraduate and graduate students. Noted USC Black Alumni, faculty and staff welcome the newest members of the Trojan family and provide historical context regarding the legacy of USC’s Black Trojans. The ceremony concludes with members of the Black Trojan family “pinning” newly inspired students with the adinkra symbols representing the attributes of the successful Trojan Scholar.
Program
AUGUST 24, 2024 | 1:00 P.M. PDT | FOUNDERS PARK
USC BAC Student Engagement Committee Welcome
Kathryn M. Shirley MBT ’97
President and CEO, World Management Solutions, Inc.
Member, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Drum Performance
Brother Hanif and Uncommon Sense
Opening Remarks & Acknowledgements
Jasmine Taylor ’99
Executive Director, USC Black Alumni Association
Invocation
Rev. Dr. Brandon Harris
Associate Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life
USC Alumni Association Greeting
Erika Jordan ML ’18
Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations
Dean’s Greeting
Jason King
Dean, USC Thornton School of Music
Black Faculty and Staff Greeting
Stacey Croomes
President, USC Staff Assembly
USC Career Center
Greeting
Lori Shreve Blake ’88
Senior Director, Career Engagement
USC Black Student Assembly Greeting
Abonie Blount & Cameron Bassett
Co-Presidents
National Pan-Hellenic Council Greeting
Annmarie Easy
Vice President
Drum Performance
Brother Hanif and Uncommon Sense
Libation
Ceremony Opening
Sister Abrafi Sanyika
Founder and Director, The Egyptian Repertoire Company
Libation
Calling of Ancestors
Our Legacy
Apollo Emeka ’09, MCBS ’17, DPPD ’20
Chair-Elect, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Our Ancestors
Simeon Stewart ’92, MBA ’16
CEO, Palazzo Concessions
Past Chair, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
First Black Student
James Ward III ’11
Head of Public Relations, JWard PR
Co-Chair, USC Black Alumni Association Young Professionals Council
First Black Justice in California
Wilma Pinder ’62
Assistant City Attorney, Los Angeles (retired)
Member, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
First Black Journalism Graduate
Dr. Allissa Richardson
Founding Director, Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab,
USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism
First Black USC All-American
Dr. Julie Rousseau
Associate Athletic Director (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion)
BAA Founder
Dr. Isadore Hall ML ’10
Former California State Senator
Member, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Our SCion Families
Patrick Holloway ’85
Owner, Affirmed First Aid & Safety
Past Chair, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Our Relationships
iAsia Brown MBV ’23
Senior Producer, Xbox Game Studio Publishing
Member, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Our Traits
Kyle Webb MBA ’16
CEO, Cooperative Economic Empowerment Movement (CEEM)
Chair, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Pinning Ceremony
Jasmine Taylor ’99
Executive Director, USC Black Alumni Association
Closing Remarks
Kyle Webb MBA ’16
Chair, USC Black Alumni Association Advisory Council
Reception
Light Refreshments, Networking, Photos with Traveler
Photos
