Charlotta Bass Media Trailblazer Lecture Series

Every year during Black History Month, the Lab hosts the campus-wide Charlotta Bass Media Trailblazer Lecture Series. We award up to two Black storytellers who have made a difference in the media landscape for that year. Then one, or both, honorees visit campus to deliver a talk. Our inaugural award winners in 2023 were the Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist, Nikole Hannah-Jones, and Darnella Frazier, witness for Mr. George Floyd, who earned a Special Citation from the Pulitzer Prizes for her bravery. Ms. Hannah-Jones packed the house in Bovard Auditorium, which is USC’s largest theater. She then accepted her award in a private reception that the USC Black Alumni Association graciously sponsored. Our 2024 winner is none other than, Common. The rapper, actor and activist packed Bovard too — on the rainiest day of the year! — and then signed his new book, And Then We Rise: A Guide to Loving and Taking Care of Self.