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SCHOL ARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

N O V E M B E R 7 TH A T U N I V E R S I T Y P A R K C A M P U S

THE FOUNDERS

REV. DR. THOMAS KILGORE JR.

Founder, USC Black Alumni Association

Founded in 1976 by Rev. Dr. Thomas Kilgore Jr., the USC Black Alumni Association (BAA) is a leadership network established to strengthen the legacy of educational attainment and excellence of USC’s Black students. The BAA provides scholarship assistance, career mentoring and cultural advocacy through alumni networking, volunteer involvement, philanthropy and social enterprise.

THE FOUNDERS

VERNA DAUTERIVE ME ’49, EDD ’66 USC Trustee, educator, philanthropist and USC alumna whose leadership advanced education in Los Angeles

PETER DAUTERIVE ’49 A financial executive, civic leader and USC alumnus committed to educational opportunity

PORTIA GRIFFITH A community leader and founding supporter whose service helped establish the organization’s early work

THOMAS L. GRIFFITH JR. A pioneering attorney and judge who helped expand opportunity and representation in the legal profession

USC BL ACK ALUMNI AS SOCIATION

2026 HONOREES

BYRON ALLEN ’83

2026 HONOREES

M’LIS WARD ’86

USC BL ACK ALUMNI AS SOCIATION

JUJU WATKINS CLASS OF 2027

JABARI BROWN ’98

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5 0 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y P R O G R A M

BLACK NATIONAL ANTHEM xx

FPO INVOCATION xx WELCOME xx xx

BLACK ALUMNI CHAIR REMARKS Terri Holoman ’81 and Daniel Prince ’00, MA ’02 Anniversary Committee Chairs PERFORMANCE xx

BARBARA SOLOMON OUTSTANDING STAFF & FACULTY AWARD JaBari Brown ’98

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5 0 TH A N N I V E R S A R Y P R O G R A M

OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD JuJu Watkins, Class of 2027

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SPECIAL PRESENTATION PERFORMANCE xx

OUTSTANDING ALUMNA AWARD M’Lis Ward ’86 EMÉ VISIONARY AWARD Byron Allen ’83 CLOSING REMARKS xx xx

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WELCOME

TERRI HOLOMAN ’81

Co-Chair, 50th Anniversary Celebration

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Terri and Daniel guide the 50th anniversary celebration — shaping programFPOming for the scholarship benefit, rallying every decade committee and stewarding the 50 for 50 Campaign so this milestone leaves a lasting legacy for future Trojans. Seque commolor ati dolestion conseque essite nus, nam explabo. Ficipsus ute et volut licider eprovition ratium velene is molorep ellabor alibeaqui aut qui ut doluptas pro te nist, utet eicimi, te alicto cusae denit porem laut offic tem eostio. Itatum aut aliqui sitae as si atemodicium delibereius elit volorem ut aliquia nus. Vende lautecum aut as con numque simolo et et unto offic te possimenim aut laceribus des ea ium, secae. Ceribus magnat et ad qui ditio tem fugitio test amus solupta iunturitas des acium resequi

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

WELCOME

DANIEL PRINCE ’00, MA ’02

Co-Chair, 50th Anniversary Celebration

FPO

Terri and Daniel guide the 50th anniversary celebration — shaping programming for the scholarship benefit, rallying every decade committee and stewarding the 50 for 50 Campaign so this milestone leaves a lasting legacy for future Trojans. Seque commolor ati dolestion conseque essite nus, nam explabo. Ficipsus ute et volut licider eprovition ratium velene is molorep ellabor alibeaqui aut qui ut doluptas pro te nist, utet eicimi, te alicto cusae denit porem laut offic tem eostio. Itatum aut aliqui sitae as si atemodicium delibereius elit volorem ut aliquia nus. Vende lautecum aut as con numque simolo et et unto offic te possimenim aut laceribus des ea ium, secae. Ceribus magnat et ad qui ditio tem fugitio test amus solupta iunturitas des acium resequi

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MESSAGE FROM THE USC BL ACK ALUMNI COUNC IL CHAIR

APOLLO EMEKA ’09, DPPD ’20

Founder and CEO of Apollo Strategy Group Inc.

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Dr. Apollo Emeka is the Founder and CEO of Apollo Strategy Group Inc., an innovative leadership and strategy consultancy for business leaders, companies, and the Next Wave of ventures launched by diverse and impactful founders.

Prior to founding Apollo Strategy Group, Apollo launched and sold a business he scaled from one to seven locations within four years while serving as an FBI Intelligence Analyst. In 2022, he retired from a decorated 20-year military career as a U.S. Army Special Forces Green Beret and a U.S. Military Intelligence Analyst.

Since its inception, Apollo Strategy Group has created over $500m in value for 100+ high-performance leaders and businesses in industries such as technology, real estate, professional services, and entertainment by developing bespoke strategies and providing handson implementation.

Apollo has a Doctorate of Policy, Planning and Development from the University of Southern California and lives with his wife and two children in Pasadena, CA. Apollo Strategy Group Inc. is Small Business Certified, Disabled Veteran Business Certified, and Minority Business Enterprise Certified.

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EMÉ V I S I O N A RY AWA R D

BYRON ALLEN ’83

Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Allen Media Group Byron Allen founded Allen Media Group in 1993, which today owns 13 ABC-NBC-CBS network affiliate broadcast television stations in 11 U.S. markets and ten 24-hour HD television networks serving nearly 275 million subscribers. It also produces, distributes and sells advertising for 80 television programs, making it one of the largest independent producers and distributors of first-run syndicated television programming for broadcast television stations. Allen has been recognized with numerous honors for his leadership, entrepreneurship and contributions to the media industry, including Harvard Business School’s inaugural Legendary Honor Award, the USC McMorrow NAI Champion Award, the UCLA Visionary Award and the Fred Dressler Leadership Award. He was also named to the Bloomberg 50 and Goldman Sachs’

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs list and inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame. Recently, Allen Media Group partnered with Google in a multi-year, multi-platform agreement to accelerate growth across its portfolio of media and digital properties. The company expanded its reach through the acquisition and relaunch of Black News Channel as TheGrio Television Network, while also securing distribution for a major HBCU GO college football package. Earlier this year, Allen assumed the role of chairman and chief executive officer for BuzzFeed, Inc., building on the iconic foundations of BuzzFeed, HuffPost and Tasty by expanding into free-streaming video, audio and user-generated content. A dedicated leader in the entertainment industry and the broader community, Allen continues to make an impact as a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and through his board service with the Motion Picture & Television Fund, the National Association of Broadcasters Television Board and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles.

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O U T S TA N D I N G A L UM N A AWA R D

M’LIS WARD ’86

Trailblazing Pilot and Flight Instructor Since graduating from the USC Marshall School of Business, M’Lis Ward has achieved two historic firsts: becoming the first Black woman to serve as a U.S. Air Force flight instructor and the first Black woman to captain a commercial airline. Yet when the Chicago native enrolled at USC with an Air Force ROTC scholarship, she originally planned to become an accountant. That all changed during Ward’s sophomore year, when she took an orientation ride in a Lockheed T-33 Shooting Star jet. After earning her Bachelor of Arts in business administration, Ward trained to become a pilot at Reese Air Force Base in Lubbock, Texas and became the first Black woman to receive a fighter pilot rating as the only woman in her class. She then spent the next four

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

years training male students to operate the two-seat, 5,000-pound T-37 jet, as women were still barred from flying fighter jets and bombers. In 1992, Ward moved from active to reserve duty and joined United Airlines, where she was assigned as second officer on the DC-10. Six years later, she was promoted to captain and flew a Boeing 737-300 for 11 years, holding the elite positions of standards captain and fleet technical captain. Ward is currently a captain and the only Black woman serving as an evaluator on the Airbus A-319, A-320 and A-321 aircraft. When she’s not flying, she coaches high school basketball; a gifted athlete, she was a reserve forward on USC’s 1983 and 1984 women’s NCAA championship basketball teams and is also an eight-time Club Champion in her weekly golf leagues. Over the years, Ward’s groundbreaking achievements have been chronicled in such publications as Ebony, Essence and In the Black. In 2010, she received the USC Alumni Association’s Alumni Merit Award. Ward lives in Denver with her wife, Denise Garcia, and their twin daughters, Analise and Isabel.

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

O U T S TA N D I N G S T U D E N T AWA R D

JUJU WATKINS CLASS OF 2027

USC Women’s Basketball Player

Judea Skies “JuJu” Watkins is the definition of a phenom — a USC women’s basketball superstar whose dominance on the court has energized the game. Now in her senior year at USC, the 6-foot-2 guard has made good on the promise she first displayed as a child prodigy at age 7.

In 2023, ESPN ranked Watkins the No. 1 recruit in her class. She committed to USC and made an immediate impact, setting a USC record for points scored in a freshman debut. Watkins went on to earn first-team AllAmerican accolades from the Associated Press and the United States Basketball Association. In addition, she received the Ann Meyers Drysdale Award as the nation’s top shooting guard, among other honors.

Born and raised in Watts, Watkins established herself as a talent to watch in high school, playing for Windward School and Sierra Canyon High School. In her freshman year at Windward, she averaged 21 points and nine rebounds per game. After transferring to Sierra Canyon her junior year, Watkins led the team to an Open Division state title. She capped her senior year with a spectacular 88-39 win over Notre Dame High School. In recognition of her extraordinary record, Watkins received several honors, including the Naismith Prep Player of the Year award.

Watkins’ sophomore season was equally impressive. On Nov. 15, 2024, she became the USC player to reach 1,000 career points fastest, in just 38 games. Later that season, she helped the Trojans defeat the Bruins to win the regular-season Big Ten championship.

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

Although an ACL injury sidelined Watkins during the 2025-26 season, she is returning to play this fall. Watkins is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

B A R B A R A S O L O M O N O U T S TA N D I N G S TA F F & FAC U LT Y AWA R D

JABARI R. BROWN ’98, MA ’05

Director, Undergraduate Academic Advisement and Civic Engagement, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism JaBari R. Brown is a proud double Trojan whose lifelong commitment to USC reflects a legacy of leadership, service, mentorship and student success. Over the course of his 25-year tenure at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, Brown has advised more than 3,000 students. In his current position, he oversees programs supporting the academic success of nearly 2,000 students. His many accomplishments include co-creating the Trojan Transfer Association, advising the Annenberg Black Student Association and leading scholarship initiatives. He also served as the inaugural chair of the USC Annenberg Staff Council. Outside of the USC Annenberg School, Brown shares his energy and expertise with several university organizations, most notably the USC Staff Assembly. As the inaugural chair of the assembly’s Scholarship and Awards Committee, Brown helped establish

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

the Staff Scholarship Program. He also helped create the Lincoln Riley Staff Scholarship Award. Brown’s other university affiliations include the USC Department of Public Safety Community Advisory Board, USC University Club Board and the Dornsife Gateway Internship Program. A passionate volunteer, Brown played a key role in reestablishing the USC Black Alumni Association’s Legacy Through Leadership mentorship program, where he regularly mentors students and reviews scholarship applications. In recognition of his dedicated work and volunteer efforts, Brown has received several honors, including USC’s Outstanding Advisor of the Year Award, the Trojan Fight On Staff Award and the USC Alumni Association’s Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award. Originally from San Diego, Brown earned his Bachelor of Arts in sociology and psychology from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and his Master of Arts in communication management from USC Annenberg. Alongside his wife, Faraah Mullings Brown ME ’02, he continues to strengthen a Trojan legacy defined by leadership, service and dedication.

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

EMCEE

TYRAH MAJORS ’19 Tyrah Majors is a two-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, author, and professor. Named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list for Media in 2026, she currently serves as a reporter and anchor at KIRO 7, Seattle’s CBS affiliate, where she covers everything from breaking crime news to entertainment stories. Tyrah earned her master’s degree in journalism from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. During her time at USC, she conducted indepth reporting on Los Angeles’ homelessness crisis and created Major Moves, a digital show highlighting young entrepreneurs and their journeys to success.

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

Beyond the newsroom, Tyrah is an adjunct professor at Seattle University, where she mentors the next generation of journalists. She is also the author of Grammy and Me, a children’s book celebrating the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Originally from San Diego, California, Tyrah’s passion for storytelling is rooted in her love of community, creativity, and human connection. Outside of work, she enjoys sketching, discovering new restaurants, and returning home to Southern California to visit family. Through her work in journalism, education, and storytelling, Tyrah is passionate about amplifying diverse voices, highlighting inspiring people, and telling stories that make a lasting impact.

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

2025-2026 STUDENT SCHOL ARS

SOPHOMORE Ehiosa Bello, Global Health USC Keck School of Medicine

SOPHOMORE Winsor McNeel, Writing for Screen and Television USC School of Cinematic Arts

Evan Torrence, Electrical and Computer Engineering USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Zaire Franklin, Jazz Studies USC Thornton School of Music

Hosanna Zerisenai, Public Policy USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

JUNIOR Amelia Godard, Business Administration USC Marshall School of Business

Kadijatou Sow, Legal Studies USC Gould School of Law Kayla Chaney, Biomedical Engineering USC Viterbi School of Engineering London Mallard, Health and Human Sciences USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Science Olivia Freeman, International Relations USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Science

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

Dayanara Almon, Business Administration (Marketing) USC Marshall School of Business Kennedy Brabham, Cinematic Arts, Film and Television Production/Writing for TV USC School of Cinematic Arts Gabrielle Desdune, Business Administration USC Marshall School of Business Mussie Yimer, Computer Engineering USC Viterbi School of Engineering

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

2025-2026 STUDENT SCHOL ARS

SENIOR Brandli Powell, Arts Technology and Business Innovation USC Iovine and Young Academy

SENIOR Jolisa Cage, Accounting USC Leventhal School of Accounting

Caden Williams, Accounting USC Leventhal School of Accounting

Leah Seldon, Communications USC Annenberg School for Communications & Journalism

Carter Hooper, Business Administration (Business Analytics) USC Marshall School of Business

Leela-Blue Mullins, Art USC Roski School of Art and Design

Chajaia Pete, Business Administration (Entrepreneurship and Innovation) USC Marshall School of Business

Makai Singleton, Journalism USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Danielle Brown, Business Administration USC Marshall School of Business

Malik Brown, Human Biology USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Science

Faith Osaji, Business Administration USC Marshall School of Business

Oluwatobiloba Adesanya, Computer Science/Business Administration USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Grayson King, Public Relations and Advertising USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

Samia Smith, Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation USC Iovine and Young Academy

Jenae Edwards, Architecture USC School of Architecture

Tracy Logan, Legal Studies USC Gould School of Law

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

2025-2026 STUDENT SCHOL ARS

GRADUATE Brice Patchou, Applied Data Science USC Viterbi School of Engineering

GRADUATE Jessie Parks, Urban Planning USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Chidinma Nwankwor, Computer Engineering USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Maureen Zeufack, Producing for Film, Television and New Media USC School of Cinematic Arts

Chukwudi Okafor, Pharmacy/Regulatory Science USC Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Nnenna Onwe, Applied Data Science USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Cyndey Davis, Public Health USC Keck School of Medicine

Sabrina Simon, Marriage and Family Therapy USC Rossier School of Education

Denise Williams, Social Work USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work

Stephanie Allen, Public Administration USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Earicka Jones, Communication Management USC Annenberg School for Communications & Journalism

Terrence Porter, Social Entrepreneurship USC Marshall School of Business

Hiyab Misghina,Public Policy USC Sol Price School of Public Policy

Wilman Abam-DePass, Business Administration USC Marshall School of Business

Jasmine Franklin, Business Administration USC Marshall School of Business

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

LEADERSHIP

USC BLACK ALUMNI ASSOCIATION USC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Jazlyn Turner Director, Black Alumni Association

50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE Terri Holoman ’81 Co-chair

Faithe Clary ’26 MLS Associate Director USC ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Jessica Lall ’06 President, Board of Directors Erika Jordan ML ’18 Associate Senior Vice President for Alumni Relations Joycelyn Blizzard Assistant Vice President Alumni Affinity Engagement

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

Daniel Prince ’00, MA ’02 Co-chair Apollo Emeka’09, MCBS ’17, DPPD ’20 BAC Chair James Ward III ’11 BAC Chair-Elect Debbie Patillo ’84 Dominique Woods ’06 Ellisen Turner ’97 iAsia Brown MBV ’23, EDD ’26 Kyle Webb MBA ’16

Miki Turner MCG ’18 Raphael Henderson ’82 Reggie Roberts JD ’00 Simeon Stewart ’92, MBA ’17 Will Poole ’06

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

LEADERSHIP

BLACK ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL (BAC) Apollo Emeka ’09, DPPD ’20 Chair

BLACK ALUMNI ADVISORY COUNCIL (BAC) Lorraine Wheat, MFA ’19 Marshae Franklin, OTD ’21 Nii-Quartelai Quartey ’06 Terrell M. Green, MS ’23 Wilma Pinder ’62 Bryanna Wallace ’19 Carol Ross-Burnett Penn Ed.D ’23 Jean Pennicooke, Ed.D ’20 Kathryn Shirley, MBT ’97 Kyle Webb, MBA ’16 Patrick Holloway ’85 Sharon Young ’91 Valencia Belle Ed.D ’23

James Ward III ’11 Chair-Elect Aria Aaron MBA ’21 Ashley Holt MCG ’21 Debbie Pattillo ’84 Reginald Roberts, JD ’00 Rhonda Richards-Smith ’02 Will Poole ’07 Carol D. Anderson ’93, MA ’04 Dominique Washington ’11 Erica Lockhart ’97

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DECADE COMMITTEES

’70S & ’80S BAA TROJANS Renata Elmore ’84 Patrick Holloway ’85 Co-Chairs

’10S BAA TROJANS Dominique Washington ’11 Barry Wilkins ’14, MPMR ’21 Co-Chairs

’90S BAA TROJANS Carol D. Anderson ’93, MACC ’04 Jevon Phillips ’93, MPW ’96 Co-Chairs

’20S BAA TROJANS Candace House ’24 Jevon Marco-Walls Torres ’24 Co-Chairs

’00S BAA TROJANS Jennifer Moore MRED ’08 Rhonda Richard-Smith ’02 Co-Chairs

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Storm the DJ The Jasper Co. USC Advancement Communications USC Alumni Association Events Team USC Alumni Association Finance Team USC Communications USC Cultural Relations and University Events

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PRESENTING SPONSOR

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PREMIER SPONSOR

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LEGACY SPONSOR

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LEADERSHIP SPONSOR

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PL ATINUM SPONSOR

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JaBari Brown ’98

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USC Annenberg is proud to recognize

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Barbara Solomon Outstanding Staff & Faculty Award

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Congratulations to the BAA 50th Anniversary Scholarship Benefit Honorees

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GOLD SPONSOR

Director, Undergraduate Academic Advisement and Civic Engagement

For 50 YEARS, The USC Black Alumni Association has built pathways to opportunity for generations of Trojans. Sanders Roberts LLP and BAA Board Member Reginald Roberts proudly support that mission and celebrate this historic milestone. Fight On. SANDERSROBERTS.COM | OUTSTANDING LAWYERS. GREAT RESULTS.

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CARDINAL SPONSOR

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UPCOMING EVENTS

USC Spring Weekend April 1-3, 2027 USC Latino Alumni Association’s Scholarship Gala Saturday, March 6, 2027 Asian Pacific Alumni Association’s 45th Anniversary APAA Scholarship & Awards Gala Saturday, March 13, 2027 Lambda LGBTQ+ Scholarship Benefit Saturday, April 10, 2027 USC Alumni Awards Saturday, April 17, 2027

USC BAA SCHOLARSHIP BENEFIT 2026

UNITING, UPLIFTING AND EMPOWERING TROJANS

Support Our Scholars Text to Donate Send BAA TO 71777

Proceeds raised support scholarships and professional development programming

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