Trojans honor legacy and liberty at USC’s most extensive on-campus Juneteenth gathering to date

Trojans congregated on Thursday for a poignant and joyous gathering in tribute to Juneteenth, the 160-year-old observance commemorating the liberation of enslaved Americans.

“Juneteenth serves as a reminder that liberty is not merely proclaimed, it must be realized,” host Kash Amos articulated as he welcomed the event’s over 300 participants at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center on USC’s University Park Campus.

Amos, a student at the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, expressed that this year’s theme of “Educate, Innovate and Elevate: Reinvesting in Our Communities” urges the community “to act, to learn, to construct and to uplift.”

It was on June 19, 1865, that enslaved Black individuals in Texas were finally informed they had been liberated — 2 1/2 years after President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation.

Black communities have commemorated Juneteenth for generations, yet the day was not established as a federal holiday until the enactment of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Carol Folt on Juneteenth: ‘Black history is American history’

The USC celebration featured a traditional African libation acknowledging ancestors, a rendition of “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often called the Black national anthem, and a soul food brunch.

As she waited in line for the offerings from Los Angeles eatery Annie’s Soul Delicious, graduate student Ayomi Fadaka from the Keck School of Medicine of USC expressed her gratitude for attending her very first Juneteenth celebration at USC.

“I appreciate the focus on community and the opportunity to celebrate together,” she remarked. “It’s wonderful to see people connect, to enjoy music and food, and to foster community.”

The gathering also included several speakers, among them USC President Carol Folt.

“Black history is American history,” Folt declared in her address from the steps of the Gwynn Wilson Student Union. “I believe this firmly, and I’m immensely proud of it. … We must recognize it, and we can never allow it to be muted.”

Folt, whose tenure as president concludes on June 30, reflected on the significant growth of the event as she reminisced about the university’s inaugural Juneteenth celebration in 2020, which was conducted virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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She also honored numerous distinguished Black Trojans, including Professor Percival Everett from the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences, who received the Pulitzer Prize this year for his acclaimed novel James. Folt acknowledged Everett for encouraging students to share their own narratives.

“Black History at USC is being forged every day, and it’s a legacy that every Trojan shares,” Folt stated. “It requires commitment for individuals to continually strive for excellence and uplift others. I am confident that this community and the Trojan Family will persist in this endeavor.”

Understanding history as a continuous journey

Professor LaVonna Lewis from the USC Price School of Public Policy informed the audience that during her upbringing in Oklahoma, she was never taught about the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in her history classes. It is regarded as the most devastating episode of racial violence in American history and occurred in her native state.

“Blissful ignorance is being unaware of what you don’t know, while willful ignorance is the decision to remain uninformed,” Lewis remarked. “I chose to become an educator to assist as many individuals as possible who are unaware that there exists more to history than what is documented in textbooks.”

In her comments, USC Black Staff and Faculty Caucus President Cynthia Brass reminded attendees that there remains much to be accomplished on the path toward “authentic freedom, equality, and liberation for Black Americans.”

“Juneteenth stands as a significant emblem of hope and advancement,” Brass noted. “However, it is crucial to remember that the struggle for freedom and equality is an unending battle that demands persistent dedication.”

Students and alumni celebrate Juneteenth

Recent graduate John Russell from the USC Marshall School of Business has only begun observing Juneteenth in recent years.

“It’s become more widespread since the onset of this decade,” Russell mentioned, who currently works in undergraduate admissions at USC. “Now, I aspire to engage in activities on this holiday that pay homage to my ancestors.”

For Amos, taking center stage at the event was a profound privilege.

“I believe it’s vital to see your community gathered in one space, allowing yourself to relax and feel at ease in your surroundings,” Amos reflected after finishing his emcee responsibilities. “Experiencing celebration is essential for everyone on this occasion, and it holds significant meaning for me.”