Celebrating 45 Years of Black Excellence
By Tensie J. Taylor, Associate Director USC BAA
Published April 29, 2021
Cassandra Mayfield-Anderson, Kenneth Frank, Lika Dozier, Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray and Sam “Bam” Cunningham
On Saturday, May 1st at 5:30 pm PST, the University of Southern California Black Alumni Association (USC BAA) will host its [virtual] Annual Scholarship Gala, celebrating 45 years of Black Excellence! If one has attended a USC BAA event before, (s)he knows how elegant and experiential it is. Whether the gala transpires on a private yacht with Grammy-nominated artist Anthony Hamilton, or at the beautiful Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, or at the Grammy Museum in downtown Los Angeles listening to the soulful, mellifluous sounds of songstress Lalah Hathaway, USC BAA puts on a classy affair with intent and purpose. With each event, the goal is to raise money for scholarships for Black students, and for the past 13 years under the hegemony of Dr. Michele G. Turner, USC BAA has soared in academics, scholarship, and mentorship of Black students due to the philanthropic spirit of dedicated volunteers, alumni, celebrities, board members, and corporate sponsors.