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Shirley Staples Carter shares insights and ideas on issues of access and engagement.

Hip-Hop artist and producer David Banner headlines Beyond the Classroom Experience Series

David Banner

David Banner, a legendary Hip-Hop artist and producer,  was the featured speaker at  a Beyond the Classroom event commemorating the 50th anniversary of Hip-Hop. 

Jabari Evans, SJMC assistant professor of race and media, hosted the program for students in his Journalism 311 class. The series was a collaboration between the SJMC in the CIC, USC Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Center for Civil Rights History and Research, Department of African American Studies, and the University’s Center for Integrative and Experiential Learning. 

The event sparked critical conversations, encouraging students to contemplate societal issues addressed in Banner’s music and the potential for their own storytelling to evoke change. Students left the event with a newfound sense of their own “why”—why they choose journalism as a path and how they can make a difference through their own work. See photos from the event »

 

Students attend Ad/PR Academy

Students at conference
Mikayla Robinson, Drekevious Watts and Aya Obaid at the 2023 Ad/PR Academy.

Three USC students participated in the 2023 AdPR Academy, held annually in Atlanta, and sponsored by the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at the University of Georgia. Aya Obaid, Drekevious (Dre) Watts and Mikayla Robinson attend the program, which was founded by Dean Tom Reichert during his tenure there as chair of the department.

Similar initiatives under the auspices of the AdPR Academy have since been founded at USC (Digital Media Experience), Clemson University and the Brand Academy.


Damion Waymer to serve as IPR Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Waymer, who leads the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications, has been elected as one of three new directors by the Institute for Public Relations Board of Trustees for the IPR Commissions and Centers of Excellence. Waymer will serve as IPR’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to help guide the center’s mission, research and strategy based on long term areas of interest.

Leadership award winner hopes her success helps others

Ethena Inez Lighty has left her mark on the Carolina and Columbia communities through her dedication to leadership and service.

Contributions of four Black SJMC alumnae commemorated with bricks on Horseshoe

As a tribute to the Black alumnae featured in the student-produced documentary The Backbone, USC's Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion installed 18 personalized bricks on the Horseshoe. Four of the women are alumnae of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

The CIC to host annual Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Research Symposium

The CIC will host the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Research Symposium on March 18 in the Hollings Program Room at Thomas Cooper Library. The annual event highlights the collaboration between faculty from the School of Information Science and School of Journalism and Mass Communications on the latest diversity-related research.

Accomplishments in the 2020-2021 academic year

Diversity, equity and inclusion are important goals across the college and comport with the university's strategic plan priority #4. This report provides a summary of new and ongoing initiatives implemented and reported.

Building a culturally competent librarian workforce

Diversity, equity and inclusion have been woven into the School of Library and Information Science since it was founded 50 years ago. But we took stock of some notable examples of the iSchool’s progress in hiring, outreach and strategic programs.

Social justice in the media

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones was the keynote speaker for the joint CIC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Research Symposium and SJMC Media & Civil Rights History Symposium in March.

iSchool Social Impact Committee and Diversity Leadership Group hosts discussion on Caste by Isabella Wilkerson

As part of this semester's equity, diversity, inclusion and social justice programming, the iSchool Social Impact Committee and Diversity Leadership Group hosted a discussion on Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson. The discussion was led by iSchool alumnus Gerald Moore.

Making a statement

In the weeks following George Floyd’s death, the CIC hosted online forums, offered diversity training and altered teaching curriculum to emphasize its commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Alumna A'Ja Wilson speaks to the reality of women of color

I am honored to use this blog space to share a most provocative and powerful reflection from our very own A'Ja Wilson.

What can I do?

Thoughts on what we can do in response to yet another crisis - racial injustice. I share thoughts from Dr. Dustin Supa of Boston University.


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