On February 20, The USC Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab will host “An Evening of Common,” with the legendary and groundbreaking conscious rapper from Chicago, IL.
This event will be part of the Charlotta Bass Media Trailblazer Speaker Series in conjunction with USC Vision and Voices, a university-wide arts and humanities initiative that provides experiences for all USC students.
This is the second annual Charlotta Bass Media Trailblazer Speaker Series event. The Academy Award–, Emmy-, and Grammy-winning artist, actor, author, and activist continues to break down barriers with a multitude of critically acclaimed roles and success in all aspects of his career. Common has just released his brand-new book, And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self, in which he details his own experience of pursuing wellness as a crucial element of his success.
The Bass Lab bestows this award annually to two Black storytellers who have made a difference in the media landscape for that year. One or both honorees then visit campus to deliver a speech.
“I’m super excited because this is my first time doing an event like this at USC where it’s dedicated to spread enlightenment about Black history and Black Excellence. It’s definitely an honor to be a part of this program and this opportunity as a whole.” - Zoe Trask, a Fellow in the Charlotta Bass Lab.
The inaugural award recipients in 2023 were the Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Darnella Frazier, witness for Mr. George Floyd, who was awarded a Special Citation from the Pulitzer Prizes for her bravery.
“For me, I grew up in Chicago. He was kind of like the blueprint for Chicago artists and artists turned activists: [showing] what you really can do as an artist and musician. He represents Chicago really well. To be able to…organize an event for someone who’s so well known in my hometown feels very full circle.” - Olivia Kelleher, a Fellow in the Charlotta Bass Lab.
The Bass Lab decided to select Common as this year’s recipient because of his work in activism, health, and mental health, especially related to mental health in Black spaces. His most recent book, “And Then We Rise” is “written for everyone, but it is of special importance for Black Americans, who suffer from heart disease and cancer—the leading causes of death in our country—at far higher rates than other Americans, and at earlier ages.”
“For Black women and Black men in America, self-care is a revolutionary act,” Common writes. “When you’re working against dark forces, you’ve got to prepare yourself so that you can step forward with everything you’ve got.” - Common
The event will begin at 7pm at Bovard Auditorium on USC’s campus. Attendees may register for free here. Introducing Common is USC’s Vice Provost for the Arts, Josh Kun. The conversation will be moderated by Allissa V. Richardson, USC Annenberg professor and founder of Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab. This candid discussion with Common will explore his messages of health, hope, and healing. At the end of the dialogue, a Q&A and book signing will follow.
“Socially conscious rap superstar Common is a modern-day renaissance man.”—Apple Music
The speaking event will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.
Common is the author of two New York Times bestselling memoirs, Let Love Have the Last Word and One Day It’ll All Make Sense, in addition to his new book, And Then We Rise. With roots as an underground rapper, Common’s latest albums, A Beautiful Revolution Parts 1 and 2, were written as a call to action to uplift, heal, and inspire listeners dealing with injustice. For the past few years, Common has been deeply engaged in social justice and advocacy work around mass incarceration, mental health, and voting.
Common runs his own foundation which allows him to use his entertainment platform to advance critical social issues with a focus on education, justice, wellness, and jobs.
This event will be presented by the Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in partnership with USC Visions and Voices, and this event will also be co-sponsored by the USC Black Alumni Association.
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Taylor Marie Contarino is a Fellow in the Charlotta Bass Lab at USC and is also the leader of the USC Annenberg Media Equity Board.