The University’s Black Staff and Faculty Caucus hosted a Black History Month mixer on Wednesday. The event kicked off a series of USC events throughout February that will celebrate Black History Month. Around 30 attendees participated in person and on Zoom.
Speakers acknowledged this year’s Black History Month comes at an uncertain time. The Trump administration has recently rolled back diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies, which will affect Black Americans day to day.
On January 20th, the White House released a sweeping order that ended government DEI programs across the country, including the observation of Black History Month and other cultural holidays in some federal agencies.
Ebony Hall, an Office Manager in USC’s Department of Contracts and Grants, says heritage and identity celebrations are an important part of combating white supremacy, and recognizing the people who have contributed to making the United States what it is today.
“First of all, the rollback is problematic full stop,” Hall said. “I’m glad that I’m on a campus that has not followed in line with the federal mandate, but is still wanting, allowing everyone to celebrate their heritage and their voice and their face and their impact.”
USC has not made a statement about its commitment to DEI, but when the Supreme Court ended affirmative action in 2023, President Carol Folt said USC would continue to create a campus that is welcoming, diverse, and inclusive to talented individuals from every background. Folt said, “We will not go backward.”
Hall shared a similar sentiment, calling attention to the many ways Black Trojans have moved the university forward.
“Everyone loves us, everyone needs us, everyone’s excited with us. That’s how important it is for us to celebrate black history. We have created so much, we maintain so much. We help the wheels stay oiled wherever we are planted,” Hall said. “So to celebrate Black History Month at USC, for all of us that have been here from one years to 35 years to 50 years, it’s important for us to be recognized on how we have contributed in every single facet, every single area of this university.”
Cynthia Brass, President of USC’s Black Staff and Faculty Caucus, said Black History celebrations should extend beyond February.
“For me, Black History Month is every single day of the year and like I said, I’m Black down to my core. There’s no way I can get away from that,” Brass said. “Black History Month is only the month that it’s observed, but celebrating it just brings out folks to come out and get a little bit more information about who we are, what we’re doing, what our focus is.”
Black History Month celebrations will continue next Wednesday at USC with an event highlighting the achievements of Black Trojan athletes.