SCampus Student Guidebook

Student Services

Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs

Director: Corliss P. Bennett-McBride
Asst. Director: Mark A. Pearson
(213) 740-8257
(213) 740-3298 (FAX)
Student Union 415
Email: cbcsa@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/cbcsa

The Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA) provides a wide range of support services, programs and activities aimed at the development of undergraduate and graduate students. CBCSA is committed to creating an environment that encourages intellectual, professional and cultural growth of African American students entering and completing degree programs. CBCSA targets five major areas of focus, including cultural and community awareness, leadership, professional development, social enrichment and retention.

Programs and Services

Academic Monitoring and Intervention

CBCSA monitors the academic progress of first-year African American students. Students experiencing academic difficulty receive counseling from CBCSA staff and exposure to campus resources for academic support.

African American Resource Handbook

This handbook gives new USC students, faculty and staff valuable insight into African American culture in Los Angeles and at USC. It includes lists of USC African American faculty and staff members; clubs and organizations; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; African American online resources; and places for leisure and entertainment in Los Angeles.

African American Honor Society

The African American Honor Society promotes high scholarship; helps students develop an appreciation for scholarly work and the scholarly endeavor of others; and recognizes academic achievement.

African Centered Leadership Academy (ACLA)

Grounded in principles of Afrocentricism, the ACLA provides an avenue for students to develop collective leadership styles with four main goals: to create a sense of community; to help students identify and cultivate their own leadership styles; to leave a legacy for African American students; and to serve as ambassadors for African-centered leadership campus wide.

Black Family Weekend

Held in conjunction with USC’s Trojan Parents Weekend, the Black Student Assembly invites students and their parents to an annual soul food dinner. The CBCSA tailgate barbecue follows on Saturday morning before the USC football game. The final event is a non-denominational spiritual gathering at the United University Church open to all USC students, parents, faculty and staff.

Black Graduation

Traditionally held the Thursday evening before USC commencement, Black Graduation is an African-centered ceremony that honors undergraduate, graduate and professional school students who have successfully completed their studies at USC.

Black History Month

The month of February is filled with culturally meaningful programs coordinated by the Black Student Organizations. Some of last year’s programs included the Black History Month kickoff rally, National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Yard Show, Rites of Sisterhood’s Women of Color: History Makers of Today, Somerville Place’s Blacks in Academia Forum, a Black Graduate and Professional School Forum, the Somerville Scholars’ Black Cultural Show: A Celebration of Black Music, Dance, Food and Art, and BSU/Phi Beta Sigma’s Poetry Night.

Diversity Career Workshop Series

Each month, CBCSA and the USC Career Planning & Placement Center co-sponsor a career workshop that focuses on issues of diversity in the workplace and seeks to assist African-American students in making a successful transition from USC to the work force. Issues addressed in the workshops include networking, preparing a résumé, effective interviewing techniques, and professional dress and etiquette.

Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Exchange Program

In spite of the fact that Los Angeles is a major metropolitan city, it lacks a historically Black college or university. This program gives students a chance to study and experience college life at an historically Black college or university. Students have the option of spending one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student.

Marcus Garvey Service Learning Project

The Marcus Garvey Service Learning Project (MGSLP) cultivates curiosity and creates more worldly students, through volunteerism and service learning. The project is based on a curriculum emphasizing business principles and entrepreneurship. Selected grade-school students are placed with USC student mentors who provide guidance during the project. The program culminates with the grade-school students presenting business plans.

Pre-College and Community Outreach

Current African-American students share their rich and varied college experiences with local youth to offer them insight into college life.

Somerville Place

A residential community named after John and Vada Somerville, the first two African-American graduates of USC’s Dental School, Somerville Place was established to foster understanding of, and respect for, the African-American culture while developing a sense of family and community. Somerville Place creates an environment where academic success, leadership, self-direction and personal growth are nurtured. All residents strive to achieve five goals: spirituality, respect, retention, successful transitions and positive social values. The Somerville Advisory Board, consisting of USC faculty and staff members, mentors the 32 residents.

Welcome Week Activities

Held during the first two weeks of September, Black Welcome Week is a collaborative effort of CBCSA, the Black Student Assembly and the Black Student Organizations. Culturally and socially informative activities assist in welcoming African-American students to the Trojan Family.