USC experts available to discuss racial justice, police reform following President Biden’s State of the Union address

Delivered amid renewed calls for racial justice following the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols, President Joe Biden’s 2023 State of the Union address emphasized Americans’ shared yearning for safe communities, trust in law enforcement, and most importantly, equal protection under the law.

USC experts in social justice and policing reform are available to discuss how America moves forward in its pursuit of racial equity as described by Biden’s call to action.

Contact: Nina Raffio at raffio@usc.edu or (213) 442-8464

Jody David Armour

Jody David Amour, Roy P. Crocker Professor of Law, USC Gould School of Law

Armour is a nationally recognized and widely published scholar whose work focuses on the intersections of race, law, morality, psychology, politics, ordinary language philosophy, and the performing arts. His latest book, N*gga Theory: Race, Language, Unequal Justice, and the Law, looks at America’s criminal justice system — among the deadliest and most racist in the world — through deeply interdisciplinary lenses.

Contact: jarmour@law.usc.edu

Shaun Harper

Shaun Harper, University Professor, Provost Professor of Education and Business, Clifford and Betty Allen Chair in Urban Leadership, USC Race and Equity Center Founder and Executive Director

Harper is one of the nation’s most highly respected racial equity experts whose research focuses primarily on race, gender, and other dimensions of equity in an array of organizational contexts, including K-12 schools, colleges and universities, and corporations. He advises companies on diversity, equity, and inclusion and has worked with more than 400 businesses, agencies, and institutions to date. In Fall 2022, Harper was appointed to the National Board for Education Sciences by President Biden.

Contact: sharper@usc.edu

Allissa V. Richardson

Allissa V. Richardson, Associate Professor of Journalism and Communication, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

Richardson’s research focuses on how African Americans use mobile and social media to produce innovative forms of journalism in times of crisis. She is the author of Bearing Witness While Black: African Americans, Smartphones and the New Protest #Journalism and founder of the recently launched USC Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab.

Contact: allissar@usc.edu

Erroll G. Southers

Erroll G. Southers, Professor of the Practice in National and Homeland Security; Associate Senior Vice President, Safety and Risk Assurance

Southers is a former FBI Special Agent, who has served in counterterrorism and public safety positions at every level of government. He is an expert in homegrown violent extremism, counterterrorism, and violence prevention.

Contact: southers@.usc.edu