This week marks the beginning of Black History Month, and USC is proud to have several notable Black alumni who have had legendary impacts on cinema.
Many Trojans have found success in Hollywood as part of a historically underrepresented community. Among them is Ryan Coogler, the director of blockbuster films like “Black Panther” and “Creed”, and Shonda Rhimes, a Golden Globe-winning producer, and screenwriter.
Jamari Perry is an adjunct associate professor at the USC School for Cinematic Arts. She shared her thoughts on the importance of recognizing Black history, as someone who hails from a community where much progress has been achieved.
“I’m originally from the Bay Area California, where there’s a lot of activism that took place,” she said.
Perry describes herself as a “social justice-oriented person,” who recognizes the work that has been done in the past and continues the fight for every minority community.
One of her favorite examples of Black storytelling was created by a USC alumnus. As a graduate student in the film production program, Perry watched “Mississippi Damned,” a film about the struggles of three young Black children in the rural south by Tina Mabry.
“I was just left with this indelible mark on my soul from the film because it was so raw,” she said.
Even to this day, the project continues to inspire her, especially since it came from a fellow USC School for Cinematic Arts alum and woman of color.
“She’s continued to trailblaze and find ways to make films that are impactful and that have enough inspiration that can leave a mark on any incoming filmmaker like myself at the time,” Perry said.
Mabry was not the only alum to have an impact on Perry.
John Singleton made his directorial debut with the 1991 film “Boyz n the Hood,” which follows a Black man’s experiences in South Central L.A., reflecting Singleton’s upbringing.
“He not only was a trailblazer in the industry, but he was also a trailblazer for the School of Cinematic Arts and USC. Like, he was a product of Los Angeles, he was a product of USC’s film school and he never let anyone misunderstand that,” Perry said. “He was unapologetically himself and he also was so grounded in where he had come from and his own experiences.”
There’s no shortage of pioneers in USC’s Black alumni network in cinema and these legends continue to live on through their work. Whether it’s behind or in front of the camera, USC is the home to some of the biggest filmmakers of tomorrow.