VIRTUAL EVENT Saturday, May 1, 2021 5:30 PM
Celebrating 45 Years of Scholarship, Legacy and Leadership
2021 HONOREES
LEGACY AWARD
Sam “Bam” Cunningham, ’73 OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD
Lika Dozier, ’99 OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS AWARD
Kenneth Frank, ’89 DONOR VANGUARD AWARD
Cassandra Mayfield-Anderson, ’74 KILGORE SERVICE AWARD
Reverend Cecil “Chip” Murray, ’02
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PROGRAM
WELCOME
Simeon R. Stewart II ’92, MBA ’17
Chair, Advisory Council, USC Black Alumni Association
Patrick E. Auerbach, EdD ’08
Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations, USC Alumni Association
SPECIAL GUEST
Dr. Carol Folt
President, University of Southern California
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Tensie J. Taylor, MEd ’14
Associate Director, USC Black Alumni Association
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Naturally 7 2021 USC LEGACY AWARD HONOREE
Sam “Bam” Cunningham ’73 SOCIAL BREAK 2021 USC OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD HONOREE
Lika Dozier ’99
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PROGRAM
BAA SCHOLAR IMPACT SPOTLIGHT 2021 USC OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS AWARD HONOREE
Kenneth Frank ’89 REMARKS
Raphael Henderson ’82
Board of Governors, University of Southern California
IN MEMORIAM 2021 USC DONOR VANGUARD AWARD HONOREE
Cassandra Mayfield-Anderson ’74 2021 USC KILGORE SERVICE AWARD HONOREE
Reverend Cecil “Chip” Murray ’02 SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Naturally 7 CLOSING REMARKS
Patricia J. Tucker, EMBA, EdD ’83 Executive Director, USC Black Alumni Association
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WELCOME FROM THE BAA Dear Trojan Family and Friends, The Black Alumni Association Advisory Council welcomes you to the 45th USC Black Alumni Associations Scholarship Gala. In the wake of very challenging times for each of us, we wish everyone much health and prosperity! In 1976, a group of concerned alumni and community leaders met to discuss the needs of minority students on the campus of the University of Southern California. The trailblazing civil rights organizer, Reverend Dr. Thomas Kilgore, Jr., led the group, which also included Dr. and Mrs. Peter Dauterive and Reverend and Mrs. Thomas Griffith. They would later change the landscape of Los Angeles with their noteworthy contributions to leadership, social justice, and education. They intended to uplift students through financial contributions for tuition assistance, setting the stage for what would resonate in campus history as the first scholarships for minority students at USC. Each year, the BAA awards over 100 partial-tuition scholarships of up to $5000 each to outstanding USC undergraduate and graduate students. Over the years, the support of people like you has made it possible to award nearly $5 million to support more than 4000 USC students. We take pride in the fact that our scholarship recipients have achieved a 100 percent graduation rate since 2008—a rate unmatched for Black students in higher education nationally and globally.
Simeon R. Stewart II ’92, MBA ’17
Patricia Tucker, EMBA, EdD ’83
This achievement would not have been possible without the full support of the alumni body, our Trojan friends, and corporate benefactors. I want to thank each of our sponsors and every one of you for your support and generosity. Today, with the involvement and leadership of our BAA Advisory Council, coupled with the engagement of USC scholars and alumni, the BAA also supports USC students in leadership development, mentorship, networking, and service opportunities. Tonight we celebrate the extraordinary contributions of five individuals who are alumni and friends of the university; Lika Dozier ’99, Kenneth Frank ’89; Cassandra Mayfield ’74, Sam “Bam” Cunningham ’73; and Reverend Cecil Chip Murray ’02. Congratulations, and thank you for your leadership! We also want to extend our appreciation and sincere thanks to our 2021 Gala Committee, Cynthia Heard ’82, Raphael Henderson ’82, Terri Holoman ’81, Lloyd Mckinney ’80, and Debbie Patillo ’84, along with BAA Associate Director Tensie J. Taylor and BAA Assistant Director Gary D. Brown for orchestrating our first virtual celebration ever!
Simeon R. Stewart II ’92, MBA ’17 Chair, Advisory Council USC Black Alumni Association
Patricia Tucker, EMBA, EdD ’83 Executive Director USC Black Alumni Association 5
MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Tensie J. Taylor, M.Ed. ’14
Associate Director, USC Black Alumni Association Tensie J. Taylor is from Louisburg, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina State University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication—Media concentration—and a minor in Psychology. In 2014, she graduated from the University of Southern California with a Master of Education in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs. Currently, Tensie is the Associate Director of the USC Black Alumni Association, where she directs the Legacy through Leadership Mentoring Program; plans events for students and alumni; and assists students with their professional and career development. Tensie is a former red-carpet correspondent in Hollywood, where she met and interviewed celebrities, including Angela Bassett, Magic Johnson, Alan Thicke, Gary Sinise, Nick Cannon, Jesse Jackson, Russell Simmons, Vanna White, Dick Van Dyke, Kevin Hart, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and more at galas, charity functions, and award shows. In January 2016, she published her first book entitled BULLIED From Terror to Triumph, My Survival Story. In this autobiography, she recounts the physical, verbal, and emotional bullying she experienced for 13 years from students at school and how she turned the negativity she faced into positivity. She is very passionate about raising awareness on bullying and implementing more antibullying programs and initiatives. She has appeared in many radio, television, podcast, and newspaper interviews sharing her story in hopes of deterring incidents of bullying. In June 2019, Tensie traveled to Dublin, Ireland to present at the World Anti-Bullying Forum on the topic of school bullying. More than 1400 people from 45 countries attended the conference, and she was able to share her experiences and research. Tensie’s hobbies include reading, writing, singing, playing the piano and trumpet, volunteering, mentoring young people, and traveling. She has traveled to 32 countries and 6 continents, and has played piano internationally in London, England; Ghana, West Africa; and Havana, Cuba. She was a contestant on Wheel of Fortune in 2014 and her most memorable moment was meeting and taking a selfie with Oprah Winfrey. She is passionate about using her experience, resources, and knowledge to help as many people as she can. One of Tensie’s favorite quotes is by Mahatma Gandhi: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” 6
SPECIAL PERFORMANCE
Naturally 7 Certain experiences burn themselves in your memory from the very first encounter. The jawdropping audio pyrotechnics that Naturally 7 put on display every night absolutely belong in that category. “A capella group” so vastly underplays what they create onstage that they had to coin a phrase - “Vocal Play” - to more accurately depict what they do. Naturally 7 is more than a tightly orchestrated collection of great singers. They transform their voices into actual human instruments, effortlessly producing music of any genre. Their vocal choreography is so perfectly interwoven that they compelled the musical maestro himself, Quincy Jones, to declare that “Naturally 7 is the future of vocal music!!” Their sonic mastery was on full display in a series of unforgettable performances on “The World’s Best” TV show, which premiered on CBS immediately following Super Bowl LIII. Hosted by comedian and “Car Karaoke” collaborator, James Corden, Naturally 7 reigned supreme as the world’s “Best Group”, and cemented their singular status among the planet’s musical elite. This was only icing on the cake of a still-vibrant 20-year career, which includes 3 world tours - nearly 500 shows - with the incomparable Michael Bublé, shared billing with global phenomenon Coldplay - including a sold out show at the Barclays Center - and owned the spotlight in a pair of national Cheerios commercials. In addition to Bublé, Naturally 7 has shared the stage with numerous icons, including Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Sarah Connor, Lionel Richie, Ludacris, The Roots, and more. Counted among their world-famous fans are President Barack Obama, Will.I.Am., Ellen DeGeneres, Craig Ferguson, Bill and Melinda Gates, Jay Leno, Allan Titchmarsh, Mo’Nique, Jools Holland, and Arsenio Hall, along with countless others. With the release of their latest project, 20/20, Naturally 7 comes full circle, adding a fresh spin on 20 fan favorites, hand selected by fans the world over. This, their eleventh studio album, celebrates their 20th anniversary in the music industry, giving music lovers all they could hope for, and then some. For the members of Naturally 7 - “Ricky“ Lee Ricardo Cort, Rod Eldridge, Kelvin “Kelz“ Mitchell, Sean Simmonds, Dwight Stewart, Roger Thomas, and Warren Thomas - it’s a privilege to do what they love and bring so much joy to the hearts of their fans each and every night. It’s exactly what you would expect. When something is pure magic it’s destined to withstand the test of time. Naturally… Naturally 7. 7
USC Black Alumni Association LEGACY AWARD
Sam “Bam” Cunningham, ’73 Born in Santa Barbara, California, Sam Cunningham earned All-American honors in football at Santa Barbara High School. He majored in Education at the University of Southern California from 1969 to 1973 where he continued playing football and eventually launched into a celebrated NFL career. Cunningham’s most notable performance at USC (135 yards, 2 touchdowns) against all-white University of Alabama football team, as USC beat Alabama 42-21 in Birmingham on September 12, 1970. Cunningham’s outstanding performance is legendary in football history. His book Turning the Tide, discusses how Cunningham’s performance was more than just a win for USC, it forced southern states to examine the effects that racism had on college sports. That one game prompted the legendary coach Paul William “Bear” Bryant of the University of Alabama to recruit Wilbur Jackson as Alabama’s first black scholarship player, and junior-college transfer John Mitchell who became the first black man to play for Alabama. By 1973, one-third of the team’s starters were black. In 1973 the New England Patriots drafted Sam as a running back. As a first round draft choice and All-Time leading rusher Sam would establish a distinguished career for himself. He played with the team until 1982, when he retired from football and established A&T Landscaping. His determination and skill set him apart early on and did not go unnoticed. Sam Cunningham has received numerous honors including, inductions into the Rose Bowl of Hall of Fame, USC Hall Fame, College Football Hall of Fame, The Santa Barbara Athletic Round Table Hall of Fame, and the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. Football seemed to be the family business. Sam’s three brothers all had distinguished football careers as well. Brother Randall Cunningham retired from the NFL in 2001. Brother Anthony played linebacker at Boise State and Brother Bruce was a defensive back at UNLV. Sam is married to Cine D. Ivery and they have one daughter Samahndi. Between being a loving father, a loyal brother, and diligent businessman, Sam still finds time to volunteer with Camp Fire Boys and Girls Club, Mothers in Action and Brotherhood Crusade, Trojan Football Alumni Club, and the Jonathan Jacques Children Cancer Center. He is also president of the 4th Ave. Block Club in Inglewood, and has a huge community involvement in the city of Inglewood. 8
USC Black Alumni Association OUTSTANDING MENTOR AWARD
Lika Dozier, ’99 Maharlika “Lika” Dozier, an entrepreneur in the music and beauty fields & philanthropist, has a true passion for mentoring and supporting others. Her passion for mentoring stems from a time during her undergrad years at USC when she encountered a challenge and looked to an administrator for support and felt that she received none. That day, she promised herself that she would never allow someone she came into contact with, to feel the same way she did after that interaction. Born in Baltimore, Maryland, and raised in Southern California’s Inland Empire, Lika chose USC’s Thornton School of Music as the place to advance her career in music by pursuing a Bachelors degree in Music Industry. Understanding that one’s network contributes to their net worth, Lika chose Los Angeles as the city she wanted to start her career in, and was enamored by the concept of the Trojan Family. During her freshman year, she expanded her network to include Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated, and has served in some capacity as a mentor ever since, either to high school affiliates of the sorority, younger members of the sorority, or to her fellow Trojans. In 2000, Lika joined the administrative staff of USC Thornton, and in 2004, found herself in a position to work directly with - and mentor - students in the Jazz, Guitar and Music Industry programs. She often would have heart-to-heart chats with the students she served, and enjoyed supporting her students in their musical and life endeavors. Later, she would choose to join the ranks of the Black Alumni Association as an Alumni Mentor, giving her an even stronger platform to support Black students, like herself, who are looking for guidance navigating the University, as well as preparing for life beyond academia. She has truly embraced the idea of the Trojan Family being lifelong and worldwide, and hopes to continue to serve as a mentor to Black Trojans for many years to come. Now, Lika is forever humbled by tonight’s honor being named the first BAA Outstanding Alumni Mentor.
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USC Black Alumni Association OUTSTANDING ALUMNUS AWARD
Kenneth Frank, ’89 Kenneth Frank has a proven track record in the digital transformation and technology arena – specifically in telecommunications, software, services and retail. He currently serves as the CEO of Turning Technologies – an educational technology software provider focused on learning engagement and analytics. Kenny has held responsibility for P&L in excess of $2B and has managed organizations as small as 200 and as large as 7,000. He has vast international experience managing global teams and having worked in both Paris, France and Mumbai, India for over 5 years. He has worked in large, public multi-nationals (Alcatel-Lucent, BellSouth), early stage start-ups (Broadband Office and Masergy) as well as, most recently, private equity backed software turnaround and growth companies. Prior to Turning Technologies, Kenneth served as the founding CEO of Kibo Software – a Vista Equity Partners backed integration of 5 distinct software providers focused on the retail segment. With Vista, he also served as Chief Operating Officer for Aptean – a global, $300M provider of ERP, Supply Chain and CRM to various enterprise channels. Before pursuing his private equity operational roles, Kenneth was most recently President, Solutions and Marketing at Alcatel-Lucent based in Paris, France and lead a joint venture between Reliance Industries and Alcatel-Lucent in Mumbai, India. He was responsible for their integration, software, end-to-end delivery and go-to-market functions globally. Kenneth was a member of the Management Committee reporting directly to the CEO. Kenneth received his BS in Computer Science from the University of Southern California, his MS in Computer Science from Stanford University and his MBA (Beta Gamma Sigma) from Emory University. Kenneth and his wife, Dwana, have been married for 30 years and have 3 adult children. They reside in Frisco, Texas.
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USC Black Alumni Association DONOR VANGUARD AWARD
Cassandra Mayfield-Anderson, ’74 Sandy is a former public school educator who worked 29 years as a Sales Marketing Executive for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt publishing company. Her outstanding reputation as an educational facilitator was demonstrated by her success in providing and implementing educational materials for teachers and students in ethnically diverse school districts across the nation. Sandy was born in Tacoma, Washington at Ft. Lewis U.S Army Base and lived her first 7 years in the Tacoma/Seattle area. Early in her life her family moved to the Los Angeles area where she attended elementary and secondary schools. After graduation from Los Angeles High school she then received degrees from El Camino College, California State University at Los Angeles and ultimately her Masters in Teacher Education from the University of Southern California where she received a full scholarship from the National Teacher Corps Program at the Rossier School of Education. Sandy has had a passion for uplifting the education of ethnic minority children all of her life. This desire has been demonstrated by her support and membership in such notable organizations as USC Educare, EPIC-Educational Participation in the Community, NABSE-National Association of Black School Educators, NAME-National Association of Multi-Cultural Education and the Los Angeles Lullaby Guild where she was actively involved in raising financial resources to support the adoption of black children. While public service and professional achievement in education have been her life long goals, her undying commitment is to continue to help provide pathways to higher education for ethnic minority students. Currently, Sandy enjoys a life of public service as an AKA-Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member, a member of the Drifters Incorporated, Los Angeles chapter-a 501 public service charity organization and working with the USC Black Alumni Association on future projects. Sandy now resides in Hermosa Beach, California and enjoys a life of educational service and international travel with her husband Jim while supporting worthy causes for children all over the world.
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USC Black Alumni Association KILGORE SERVICE AWARD
Reverend Cecil “Chip” Murray, ’02 Reverend Cecil L. Murray was born on September 26, 1929, in Lakeland, Florida, to Janie Belle Williams Murray and Edward Wilder Murray, Sr. Murray’s mother passed away when he was only four years old; he would be raised by his father who was devastated by his wife’s untimely passing. Growing up in the segregated South, Murray, his father, and his brother experienced profound racism firsthand. Murray earned his undergraduate degree from Florida A&M University, but joined the United States Air Force after graduation where he served during the Korean War as a jet radar intercept officer in the Air Defense Command, and as a navigator in the Air Transport Command. Murray retired as a reserve major in 1958, after ten years, and was decorated with a Soldier’s Medal of Valor. After Murray left the U.S. Air Force, he attended the School of Theology at Claremont College in California, where he earned his Ph.D. degree in religion. Murray’s first church was in Pomona, California, where he helped grow a congregation of just twelve members to a group of 150. Murray later served at Trinity A.M.E. in Kansas City from 1966 to 1971; the First African Methodist Episcopal (FAME) Church in Seattle; and Los Angeles’ FAME Church in 1977, after Bishop H.H. Brookins recruited him to join. Under Murray, the congregation grew from several hundred members in 1977, to roughly 18,000. Murray became a nationally known figure in the wake of the 1992 Los Angeles riots; he also became actively involved in the issues of job-training, homeowner loans, affordable housing, condom distribution, and HIV/AIDS awareness. Murray started FAME Renaissance, a non-profit organization that focused on economic development. Murray retired as Senior Pastor from the FAME church on September 25, 2004. In 2005, Murray became a senior fellow at the Center for Religion and Civic Culture (CRCC) and continues to work as a liaison to the Los Angeles area, and to African American and Latino constituents. Murray also works on the Passing the Mantle project, which aimed to train clergy from African American churches across California in effective community development and organizing skills.
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USC Black Alumni Association 2020-2021 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS
FRESHMAN Maggie Bass
Matthew Kempfer
Christian Henderon
Ashley Childress
Selah Kitchiner
Jaya Hinton
Rahsheed Clarke
Noah Lee
Sheridan Hunter
Asiah Dorsey
Trinity Lee
Seanna Latiff
Casey Gardner
Jacquelin Longmire
Lillian Leonard
Megan Gates
Adenike Makinde
Justin Negash
Janae Gooch
Nia Marshall
Mark Parent
Lauren Nash
Nathan Phillips
Maurice GramataJones
Nicole Nwankwo
Brian Price
LaPaula Parker
Amber Pugh
Naomi Poe
Darryl Payton
Taofeeq Rasaki
Ashley Ware
Rachel Roberson
Eroll Rhoden
Joshua Wilson
Samantha Stewart
Makela Rodgers
Kristofer Thomas
Langston Siebens
Alexis Turner
Dylan Singh
Dara Udobong
Terrence Smith Jr.
Kyle Brown Christen Clark Kizzyah Dorant Connor Elliott Alexandria Gee Endiya Griffin Oluwadamilare (Dami) Olatunji
SOPHOMORE Maria Ashby Aissatou Balde Tierra Buissereth
Lennon Wesley III
JUNIOR
Brelind Whitehurst
Hannah Abrahim
Mya Davis
Terrence Amenya
Jordan DeTiege
Addison Arnold
Marlize Duncan
Jessica Brown
Paul Adams II
Jenae Edwards
Jordan Bucknor
Kristin Amadasun
Diaya Fuller
Cydney Davis
Ashley Applewhite
Kaitelyn Haynes
Maiah GainesRichardson
Tyra Beck
Faith Hotchkiss Shamillah Iga Jonathan Kamanta
Ayojide Hospidales Kaitwan Jackson Chasia Jeffries Justus Keaton Sydney Laws OpeOluwa Otegbade Britne Peterson Mya Roberts
Shenaia Turner
Etienne Codjia
Kennedy Hill
Jaela Harding
SENIOR
Mariah Breit
Kyara Galloway
Kameron Brown
Kyra Gardner
Peyton Brown
Elle Giovanni
Amber Butler
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George Uduigwome GRADUATE James Dodd Natalie Hart Kristina Joseph Tyler Kelly Lawrence Rolle Paul Royster Yafeu Tyhimba
LEADERSHIP
USC Black Alumni Association Patricia J. Tucker ’83 Executive Director
Tensie Taylor ME ’14 Associate Director
Gary D. Brown ’96 Assistant Director
USC Alumni Association John lino JD ‘87 President, Board of Directors
Patrick E. Auerbach EdD ‘08 Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations
2021 Gala Committee Raphael Henderson Gala Co-Chair
Simeon Stewart Gala Chair Tensie J. Taylor
Gary D. Brown
Patricia Tucker
Cynthia Mitchell-Heard
Debbie Pattillo
Lloyd McKinney
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Black Alumni Advisory Council Mr. Chris Baccus
Mrs. Terri Holoman
Mr. Danny Bakewell, Jr.
Mr. Justin Lacey
Mr. Gary Brown
Ms. Debra Langford
IMr. an Chestnut
Dr. Sharoni Little
Mr. Michael Corrin
Mr. Kerman Maddox
Ms. Stephanie Farmer
Mrs. Deborah Pattillo
Ms. Donna Gholar
Mr. Reginald Roberts, Esq.
Ms. Cynthia Heard
Mrs. Christiane Roussell-Willis, Esq. Ms. Kathryn Shirley Mr. Simeon Stewart II Ms. Tensie Taylor Mr. Kyle Webb Mr. Anthony Williams
Corporate Advisory Ms. Michelle Avan
Mr. Raphael Henderson
Ms. Kiesha Nix
Mr. Donovan Green
Mr. Lloyd McKinney, Jr.
Honorary Advisory The Honorable John Kennedy
The Honorable Sydney Kamlager-Dove
Mr. Reginald Lathan
The Honorable Reginald Jones-Sawyer Sr.
The Reverend Cecil Murray
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SPONSORS* Presenting Northrop Grumman Renaissance Charitable Fund Eric and Terri Holoman and Family
Gold LA Urban League
AT&T
Marshall School of Business
Union Bank
USC Credit Union
USC Athletics
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
Palazzo Concessions
Merrill Lynch
Six Friends
Cardinal Cassandra Mayfield-Anderson WJN Legacy Foundation Kyle Webb and Family
Bronze SMS Transportation
Operation Hope
Brotherhood Crusade
USC Black Staff and Faculty Caucus
Sir James Buchanon
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Cynthia Mitchell-Heard and Family
Bob and Kathleen Campos
USC Alumni Association
Ian Chestnut and Family
LA Urban League
DP Consulting Group
Viterbi School of Engineering
Lakers Youth Foundation
William Holland and Family
*Sponsors list current as of print deadline
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A Special Thank You
Francis DeLoach - FDL Production Andrea Delph – DreMode Kenneth Heidt – Kensington Caterers Erika Chesley USC Hotel Carrera Tucker Levy – FedEx Cyan Design Studio Outsnapped USC Communications Karla Reid
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Uniting, Uplifting and
Empowering Black Trojans Celebrating Forty-five Years of Scholarship, Legacy and Leadership
3607 Trousdale Parkway, Suite 323 Los Angeles, CA 90089 213-740-8342 alumni.usc.edu/baa