The mission of the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA) is to create an afrocentric, holistic learning environment, for academic, social and professional development, and civic engagement for all members of the USC community. CBCSA strives to develop an environment that encourages the intellectual, professional, as well as social and cultural growth of Black students entering and completing degree programs. The five major areas of focus include: Cultural and Community Awareness; Leadership; Professional Development; Social Enrichment; and Retention.

CORE PROGRAMS

Alternative Spring Break: Montgomery, AL
Application submission deadline: October 2011

This service learning program allows students to explore historical events and legislation that has affected families living in rural, southern communities while providing hands on service. ASB participants take part in outings, engage in discussions groups, and make a positive impact to a community in need. This year students will visit Montgomery, Alabama working with Habitat for Humanity and visiting historical monuments relating to the Civil Rights Movement.

• Students will be able to identify several social issues prevalent in rural communities and the populations grossly affected by these issues
• Students will be able to describe historical events that have impacted southern rural communities
• Students will be able to define key terms associated major social issues
• During outings, students will examine landmarks and be able to explain their significance to the local community and region
• Students will be challenge to connect the interrelationships of the community being served to themselves

Distinguished Speaker Series
Every 1st Monday during BSA meetings; 6:00-7:00pm

The purpose of the Series is to create a greater sense of community by introducing students to faculty from various disciplines to discuss important themes impacting the black community locally and globally. Students will explore ideas, concepts, historical and current events that will challenge students to shift from cultural knowledge to cultural competence.

• Student will be able to identify at least one black USC faculty from outside their classroom experience.
• Students will be able to articulate core issues that affect the black community locally, nationally and globally.
• Students will be able to critically analyze the issues and their impact on the black community.
• Students will be able to develop ideas on ways to serve as advocates for change.

Dr. Thomas Kilgore Honor Showcase
Applications available by invitation January 2011; Showcase: March 2011

This program supports undergraduate and graduate students in a unique opportunity to exhibit and share examples of their significant research, projects and creativity with the university and surrounding community. Students will present work through poster/panel sessions, art exhibits, and electronic media. The award ceremony will recognize outstanding works and students will be awarded scholarships. The ceremony will also include an affirmation component for first year freshmen and first year transfer students who earned a 3.0 or higher GPA in their first semester.

Howard University Exchange Program
Applications due Thursday March 1st

The HBCU Exchange Program allows students to experience college life at a historically black college or university and to examine academic and cultural themes within the framework of a different educational system. Students will explore the distinctive opportunities offered by a HBCU while further exploring the diversity of the black community in a unique and supportive environment.

• Students will examine and identify the unique qualities of a HBCU college experience
• Students will be able to articulate and apply different academic models acquired through the exchange institution to what they have and will learn at USC
• Students will be able to compare and contrast cultural themes at a HBCU to those explored at USC
• Students will be able to articulate characteristics that make the black community a diverse a community
• Students are encouraged to integrate their experiences at the HBCU upon their return to USC

Somerville Place
Somerville Place is a residential community established in 1995 named after John and Vada Somerville. This community creates an environment where academic success, leadership, self-direction, and personal growth are nurtured by successfully transitioning first-year students into university life. This successful transition allows residents to excel academically and emerge as campus leaders. Somerville Place also aims to foster an understanding of and respect for black culture, while cultivating a sense of family and community

Annual Somerville Place Retreat
The Retreat sets the foundation of community building among the new residents that will lead to accomplishing the overall goals and purpose of the Somerville Place experience. Residents will focus on enhancing specific skill sets needed for proper communication, collaboration, and developing a community experience applicable to the larger USC community. Exploration of responsibilities, expectations, standards and contributions as a resident and as a Trojan are important themes to the retreat.

Somerville Collaborative
This service learning program places Somerville Place residents in local schools to tutor and mentor children from elementary to high school who aspire to attend the University of Southern California. This program is an opportunity for Somerville Place residents to:

• Become more familiar with the surrounding USC community;
• Serve as a role models to local community children;
• Use work-study aid and/or receive an additional grant by participating with special programs;
• Gain an understanding and display of positive social values

Annual Somerville Shootout Basketball Tournament
Residents exercise their leadership and planning skills to plan, coordinate and promote this annual event.

Black History Month Activity
Residents further stretch their leadership skills by developing their own Black History Month activity.

 

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Black Welcome Week: August 29th – September 10th
Black Welcome Week is a collaborative effort between CBCSA, the Black Student Assembly (BSA), and black student organizations aimed to introduce new and returning students to the multiple and diverse cultural events and opportunities that are part of the Trojan experience. Activities range from engaging students in civic and community involvement to indulging in cultural foods while socializing with students, faculty and staff.

Black Family Weekend: October 27th - 20th
Held in conjunction with USC’s Trojan Family Weekend, CBCSA and the Black Student Assembly invite students and their parents to an annual Soul Food Dinner on Friday evening, a Family Tailgate on Saturday and Worship Service and Brunch on Sunday. Students, family, friends, faculty, staff and alumni are invited.

Black History Month: February 1st - February 29th, 2012
Black History Month serves to promote, preserve, interpret and disseminate information to the university community about life, history and culture of descendants of the African Diaspora.

African American Cultural Celebration: May 9th - 10th, 2012
Bridging our past with our present, this annual celebration serves as traditional rites of passage that recognizes and affirms students of African descent who have completed a rigorous journey through academia at USC. This largely attended and highly anticipated event unites students, families, and friends through culture and achievement. The ceremony is traditionally held on the Thursday evening before USC commencement, honoring undergraduate, graduate and professional school students.

COLLABORATIONS

Project ReMix: Exploring the Mixed Race Generation

Project ReMiX is a monthly, interactive discussion series aimed to explore issues facing the mixed race generation- a growing population in the U.S. and especially at USC. It introduces students who might not otherwise seek out the specific cultural centers for resources and support. The program’s partners are Asian Pacific American Student Services (APASS) and El Centro Chicano (ECC).

• Thursday, September 23, 2010 – 7:00pm-9:00pm, Village Gate Theatre
  Life and Times of the Tragic Mulatto
   
• Thursday, October 21, 2010 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, TBD
  Passing Privilege: Mixed in the Media
   
• Thursday, November 18, 2010 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, UUC 3rd floor
  Express Yourself: Found in Translation 

• January 19, 2011 – 12:00pm – 2:00pm, UUC 3rd floor
  Express Yourself: Part 1

• Thursday, January 27, 2011 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Ground Zero
  Express Yourself: Part 2, Opening Night Showcase
   
• Thursday, February 17, 2011 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, Mark's Hall Lobby
  Family Portraits: Messages & Milestones
   
• Thursday, March 24, 2011 – 6:00pm – 8:00pm, UUC 3rd floor
  ReMIX 2.0: Going Global

Black QueerStory: February 22 2011
“A queer black mobilehomecoming” is a monumental journey in celebration of the bravery and genius of the trailblazers of the black queer/lesbian/gender-non-conforming community. Julia Wallace of Queer Renaissance and Alexis Pauline Gumbs of Broken Beautiful Press hit the road in their environmentally sustainable RV and travel across the country to learn, document and transmit the legacies of brave black queer warriors who have been transforming the meaning of life since the 1980's or earlier and hosting amazing intergenerational community education events all over the US.

Unity through Community: Black & Latino Overnight Experience: April 2011
The Overnight Experience gives newly admitted high school seniors the opportunity to experience life at USC by staying overnight with a current USC student after an entertaining and engaging evening of events. The purpose of the Overnight is to assist in the recruitment of African American and Latino students by exposing them to the student experience at USC. The program’s partners are the Office of Admission, El Centro Chicano, Black Student Assembly, and Latino Student Assembly.

SERVICES

Pre-College and Community College Outreach:
The Center for Black Cultural & Student Affairs is committed to providing visiting students with insight into college life, encouraging them to pursue higher education despite current and foreseeable obstacles. Targeting students from as early as 4th grade through the community college level, participants typically take a university tour followed by a presentation headed by one or more CBCSA staff members. Most presentations include a panel of USC’s African-American students of diverse backgrounds who share their rich and varied college experiences. The panel concludes with answering any questions that visiting students may have concerning college life. This outreach program serves as another vehicle for USC students to give back to the community while enhancing their experience at USC.