Music and applause reverberated out of Founders Park on Tuesday evening as students, community members and double Dutch enthusiasts came together to attend the USC Black History Month Family Reunion. Attendees enjoyed vendors, catered food and live musical performances. 

The Family Reunion served as the final celebration in the lineup of Black History Month events. Past events from this month included a lecture on historically Black fraternities and sororities, a Black History Month Dance Drama Production titled “Rhythms of Triumph” and “Punk for the People,” which highlighted the influence of Black, Indigenous and people of color in punk rock. 

Antonio McVay Jr., a sophomore majoring in aerospace engineering, said the event was a great way to connect with people and that his favorite aspect was the music. The background music blended together songs from various Black artists, which McVay said created a great example of Black culture. 

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“It’s a really good vibe, to be among like-minded people, people who want to support Black culture, but also people who are here as Trojans,” McVay said. 

The event featured vendors selling jewelry, waist beads and essential oils, as well as a performance of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” known as the “Black National Anthem,” by Giselle Strong, a senior majoring in music industry. 

Franita Tolson, the first Black dean of the Gould School of Law, spoke at the event. She said one of the themes of USC’s Black History Month celebrations was “celebrating the joy of Black excellence,” which everyone, regardless of background, could participate in by acknowledging the impact of Black people on American history.

“Black history and American history are one [and] the same and are … inseparable from one another. There’s no American history without Black history, which is filled with stories of resilience, of perseverance and achievement, stories that speak to our shared experiences of humanity,” Tolson said. 

The event also had trivia questions with opportunities to win prizes. Khorie Jenkins, a freshman majoring in health promotion and disease prevention studies, won a hat at the trivia table and said she enjoyed shopping at the vendor booths.

“I really like the event. A lot of the people are really, really nice, I think the music has been great, I talked to a lot of the USC committees here, and I’m really enjoying myself,” Jenkins said. 

Tolson told attendees she loved the spirit of community, togetherness and support present at the celebration, and told attendees to remember their community in times of hardship, as well as the strength and wisdom they would gain through overcoming adversity. 

“When a road gets bumpy, remember that you’re never alone,” Tolson said. “You can rely on the commitment and care of the family surrounding you here today. Today is both a celebration for our community as well as the celebration of history. Thank you all for helping to write the next chapter.” 

Audrena Goodie-Mahone, a member of the Black History Month planning committee and the program specialist at Marshall School of Business’ Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, said it was a pleasure to be among “our people” and urged the crowd to continue celebrating Black History Month after February ended.

“Don’t think that Black History Month is just a month. We celebrate Black History Month 365 days of the year. All this Blackness stays on me 365 days of the year,” Goodie-Mahone said. 

Tolson said USC wasn’t just a place where people were educated, but where “leaders” were created. Tolson said audience members should work to “inspire and uplift others” and to lead an impactful life they could take pride in.

“Living through history is one thing, but writing it is another. Be writers of history. Dare to be great leaders who leave a great legacy,” Tolson said. “Sometimes the world can leave you with a sense of hopelessness … but do not fall into that trap. You have the courage and resolve inside of you to be the leaders who can turn that sense of hopelessness into hopefulness.”