Black Trojan history captured

Black History Month exhibit features Trojans who have made significant contributions to the nation

By ALEXANDER NGUYEN
Assistant Lifestyle Editor

W ho was the first black USC graduate? Who was the first black female graduate? How long have African Americans been involved with the university? These are among the questions the Black Alumni Association hopes to answer through its month-long celebration of Black History Month.
For the sixth consecutive year, the BAA, in conjunction with USC libraries and Information Services Division, presents a month-long exhibit highlighting the academic and professional accomplishments of black alumni. "Trojans of Ebony Hue: Role Models for All Generations," which opened Sunday, includes photos, biographies and personal effects of the subjects displayed, including the astronaut suit of Gen. Charles F. Boden. The exhibit also includes a timeline of happenings at USC and the world.
For example, Apartheid started in South Africa in 1959 at the same time that John Somerville was named L.A. police commissioner.
One of the new findings in this year's exhibit is the discovery of Clarence Thompson, the first black USC graduate in 1904. It was previously believed that John Alexander Somerville, whom Somerville Place in Fluor Tower was named after, was the first black USC graduate in 1909. The discovery of Thompson was made after perusing old USC yearbooks, said Dr. Lura Ball, director of the Black Alumni Association. However, not much is known about Thompson at this time.
Ball also stressed that blacks have been actively involved in the university since at least 1897, though not much is know about their contributions.
"We found an old varsity football picture with black football players," she said. "Though we don't know the extent of their involvement because there were no yearbooks back then."
According to Bell the first yearbook was published in 1906.
The "Trojans of Ebony Hue" also exhibits features on alumni who have made significant contributions to the black community and to the nation, such as Fay Jackson.
Jackson, who graduated with a degree in journalism and philosophy in 1927, was the first black Hollywood correspondent for the Associated Negro Press(ANP).
"She was the West Coast link to the Harlem Renaissance," said Ball.
In 1937, she was sent to cover the coronation of King George VI for ANP.
"She was the only black person to have any seat of any prominence, whereas other black (journalists) were seated in the back," said Ball.
Jackson also founded Flash, the first black magazine on the West Coast.
The exhibit also features the art work of Varnette P. Honeywood who has illustrated all of Bill Cosby's Little Bill book series.
"She has impacted pop culture through her art works that can be seen on book covers and CD covers," Bell said.
The exhibit demonstrates the impact that African Americans have had in the changing face of Los Angeles. "Trojans of Ebony Hue" features Paul Revere Williams, from the USC class of 1919, an architect who designed most of the city and is considered the father of Beverly Hills.
The point of the exhibit is to show that African Americans and USC are a key part of the Southern California landscape, Ball said.
A new addition this year is the exhibit guide, which includes instructional strategies with background information supplementing the visual images and suggested activities to assist educators in exposing students to black history.
The cataloguing of this information has never been done before and is underwritten by USC Civics and Community Relations, Toyota Motor Sales and the School of Policy, Planning and Development.
USC and Black Connection
Black Alumni Association (originally called USC Ebonics Support Group) was founded by Dr. Rev. Thomas Kilgore, Jr. in 1976.
Historically, USC has had a great relationship with African Americans. While other institutions weren't accepting black students, USC was, said exhibit co-chair Joyce Sumbi, class of 1960.
Black families from the South used to send their children to USC during the Civil Rights Era.
USC is ranked 27th by Black Enterprise magazine as the Best Colleges for African American.
"(USC) is No. 2 in the West Coast," said Ball. Beating out the likes of Stanford and UCLA, she said.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a public service sorority is planning a tribute to women of color today on Trousdale Parkway.
"Trojans of Ebony Hue: Role Models for All Generations" is on display at Lewis Hall Gallery through Feb. 28 and is free. The Gallery hours are 9 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. For more information, call the Black Alumni Association at (213) 740-8342.

Copyright 2001 by the Daily Trojan. All rights reserved.
This article was published in Vol. 142, No. 18 (Monday, February 5, 2001), beginning on page 7 and ending on page 11.