Brilliance and legacy celebrated at USC Black History Month ‘Family Reunion’

When graduate student Derrick Pough Jr. of the USC Thornton School of Music launched into the classic Sam Cooke song “A Change Is Gonna Come,” a hush suddenly came over the bustling crowd at Tuesday’s family reunion-themed closing event for Black History Month at USC.

Pough’s vocals soared throughout Founders Park on the University Park Campus as he performed, with focus and conviction, the 1964 song Cooke wrote about the Civil Rights Movement that spoke to the struggles he and others were experiencing.

“I think it’s more important now than ever to be celebrating not only Black history, but diversity and the many, many cultures that actually make this country what it is, and make it great,” he said after his performance.

Pough said he chose that song for anyone who is feeling lost “or feeling that nothing is ever going to get better. It’s to remind us that if we stand together and we stand united, nothing is going to stop us and change really will come.”

His performance was among the highlights of this year’s event, themed “Black Brilliance: Honoring Labor, Legacy, and the Joy of Excellence.” More than 400 people visited booths set up by campus organizations and enjoyed food from local eateries with music played by DJ Brandon setting the tone. Professor Mark Pearson of the USC Rossier School of Education, the event’s emcee, repeatedly reminded the crowd that “Black history is everybody’s history.” 

Turning hopelessness into hopefulness

Dean Franita Tolson of the USC Gould School of Law — the school’s first Black dean and the second female dean — delivered the event’s keynote address and expanded upon Pearson’s mantra.

“Black history and American history are one in the same, interwoven and inseparable from one another,” she said. “There is no American history without Black history, which is filled with stories of resilience, of perseverance and achievement — stories that speak to our shared experiences of humanity.”

Tolson encouraged the audience to find strength in adversity, wisdom in mistakes and support in their community.

“This is USC, a place where we don’t just educate people, we create leaders,” she said. “I acknowledge that sometimes the world can leave you with a sense of hopelessness, maybe even fear. But do not fall into that trap. You have the courage and resolve inside of you to be the leaders who can turn that sense of hopelessness into hopefulness.”

Tolson also told attendees that it’s not enough to be living through history and urged people to write about their experiences.

“Dare to be great leaders who leave a great legacy and don’t stop there,” she said. “Inspire and uplift others, especially those who follow after you. Write a history that you’ll look back on and that you’ll be proud of — one whose impact will endure.”

Fellowship and food at USC Black History Month celebration

Attendees feasted on vegan macaroni and cheese, chicken patties and spinach patties from Simply Wholesome, hot dogs from Earle’s on Crenshaw and an array of chicken wings, cornbread and black-eyed peas from Annie’s Soul Delicious. All three eateries are part of USC’s Trojan Shop Local, an eclectic network of more than 60 small businesses across Los Angeles.

Waiting in a long line for lunch, USC Rossier graduate student Adenike “Nike” Taylor said she never misses the annual event and especially appreciates the participation of Black-owned vendors.

“I love seeing all the different people who identify as Black from different parts of the school who I don’t get to see on a daily basis,” Taylor said. “We’re all gathered here at the same time, and it’s nice to catch up with people, make new connections and to just embrace my Blackness.”

Sophomore Antonio McVay of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering also appreciated the opportunity to connect with friends and fellow Trojans who he normally doesn’t get the chance to see outside of class.

“It’s a good vibe — the music is great, and the food is really amazing,” he said. “It’s a great experience to not only show people how we as Black people come together, but how our allies and people who support the culture also come together. It’s the culture of everybody.”

Senior Kharee Hoggs of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences said she was moved by the performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black national anthem, which was sung by USC Thornton student Giselle Strong.

“It touched my soul,” Hoggs said. “It’s so important to uplift the community.”