Black History Month Spotlights: Five to Watch
By Haley Coleman ‘18
Talented. Leaders. The future. These three words best describe five students at the undergraduate and graduate level, are following the footsteps of many prominent alumni within their major fields. In celebration of 40 years of The Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs (CBCSA), we honor five black alumni who have served as great leaders within the community and have paved the way for amazing students coming after them. This is Black History Month parallel.
Dramatic Duo
Honoring Oscar-Winning, actor Forest Whitaker and highlighting USC Student Omete Anassi. Forest Whitaker who graduated in 1982, has went on to be one of the most influential actors of our time, winning various awards, and producing and directing his own work too. Omete, better known as “M.C.”, is an up and coming actor who loves two things: helping people and performing. A neuroscience major, with a minor in performing arts, M.C. finds creative ways to intertwine the two fields. He has starred in plays including “Dontell, Who Kissed the Sea” with The Skylight Theater Company and The Dramatic Arts School’s, “Anna in the Tropics”. Recently he played the lead role of Rick in Aaron Ashby’s “Dana’s Song”.
Future of Film
Honoring filmmaker Ryan Coogler and Cinema student Aaron Ashby. In case you didn’t know, Coogler is the genius behind the film that has landed Sylvestor Stallone with a Golden Globe and Oscar nomination (Creed). Coogler, who graduated in 2011, is a writer and director known for Fruitvale Station, Creed and it was recently announced that he will direct Marvel’s Comic Black Panther. Aaron is a Film & Television Production student who has a passion for storytelling. He has worked on multiple projects on campus as well as created his own short films, Chaining Day, Print, HBD, Dana’s Song. Similar to Ryan Coogler and his relationship with actor Michael B. Jordan, Aaron and fellow USC student M.C. Anassi are frequently collaborating. You can check out some of Aaron’s work on his vimeo page. Aaron is occasionally seen performing poetry around the Los Angeles area.
The Songstresses
Honoring R&B Singer Macy Gray and Thornton School of Music’s Celeste Butler. Macy Gray, whose unique, raspy voice serves as one of the most distinctive voices of our time, started her career in music while studying screenwriting at USC. She now works as not only a singer/songwriter, but a record producer and actress. Celeste Butler, is a passionate R&B/Funk singer-songwriter and all around entertainer who was chosen as one of 25 freshmen accepted into The Popular Music Program at USC. At the age of 19 years old, she has already sung for musical heavyweights like Boyz II Men and Chaka Khan, and has competed in national televised vocal competitions and pageants. During her freshman year, Celeste formed a 10-piece backing band, consisting of a full rhythm section (3 horns, and 3 background vocalists) and has since, performed for close to 100 events. Upon graduation, she will become the first African American female to graduate with this exclusive degree.
Health Heroes
Honoring Dermatologist Meena Singh and Gerontology student Natalie Waldon. Meena is a board-certified dermatologist who also graduated from Harvard Medical School and was trained at Mayo Clinic. Natalie Waldon recently finished her Bachelors in Human Biology and is currently working on her Master’s in Aging Services Management at Davis School of Gerontology. Since she can remember, helping people has always brought her joy. She loves working with elderly people because of their wisdom and honesty. To make a difference and advocate for those in the latter years of their lives is of high value for Natalie. She quotes, “Our population is aging and we must take special care of those who took care of us first. Fight On!”
Laying down The Law
Honoring Supreme Court Judge James “Jimmy” Reese and Law student Michael Figgers. Mr. Jimmy Reese, who liked to say, “I choose to stay busy and enjoy every day. You never know if it’ll be your last.” Judge Reese was 96 when he passed. In 1970, he became the first African-American Los Angeles Superior Court Commissioner and years later, he became a superior court judge. He also was the founder of KinderToCollege Literacy Intervention Program for Low Income Boys, in collaboration with USC. Michael Figgers received his B.S. in Finance/ Applied Economics and is now studying law in hopes to practice in the field of capital markets and private equity. He sums up his passions into business/finance, entertainment, and helping others. Already, Michael has found a nonprofit organization called “E-Class Mentorship”, which was formed to educate, mentor, and provide resources to minority elementary, middle, and high school students for the purpose of fostering entrepreneurship, financial literacy, creativity, cognitive and social skills, and community relationships. He chose law because he feels that it is always at the middle of every phenomenon, thus, his law degree would give him a prime position to effect change.
In a few years, we’re going to be honoring these 5 and paralleling them with a new group of up and coming entertainers, doctors, and lawyers!
