The Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab At the University of Southern California

We are the West Coast’s first AI-powered Black media archive and experimental storytelling space.

We save, study and share Black media that changed the world.

Inspired by the revolutionary spirit of Charlotta Bass, we are a collective of journalism educators and tech innovators who are redefining how news media capture and convey Black American life. Our hub of Black witnessing highlights the transformative legacy of the West Coast’s Black press and its profound impact on American history. We aim to showcase how these pioneering journalists shaped narratives of resistance, resilience, and reform, creating an enduring legacy for future generations.

Who was Charlotta Bass?

Charlotta Bass (1874–1969) was a trailblazing journalist, civil rights activist, and political pioneer. As editor of the California Eagle, one of the oldest Black newspapers on the West Coast, she fought fiercely against racism, segregation, and police brutality. Bass became the first Black woman to run for U.S. Vice President in 1952 with the Progressive Party. Discover more about how her legacy inspired the formation of our research center.

Meet Ms. Bass

What does the Bass Lab do?

The Bass Lab amplifies social justice storytelling through innovative journalism. We train students to spotlight marginalized voices, preserve Black media history, and challenge racial bias. Through projects like interactive interviews, podcasts, and archives, the Lab redefines how we remember, report, and shape narratives for transformative change.

Learn More

How can I work with the Bass Lab?

To engage with the Bass Lab, students and faculty can apply to become Charlotta Bass Fellows, gaining hands-on experience in reparative journalism and media innovation. Partners can collaborate on transformative projects amplifying marginalized voices, while donors can fund initiatives like archival preservation and interactive storytelling.

Get Involved

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Learn more about our work.

SECOND DRAFT PROJECT

Visit our AI-powered archive.

BASS FELLOWSHIPS

Join our research team.

BASS MEDIA TRAILBLAZERS

Attend our lecture series.

Explore the Black press of the West.

Dive into more than 200 years of Black social justice movements — through the eyes of the journalists who reported it. Uncover the often-overlooked stories of the West Coast Black press, who powered change through their fearless coverage.

View the Timeline

Take a West Coast tour of Black news landmarks.

Download Monumental, the mobile app that uses AR and geolocation to bring iconic locations from the Black press’s most memorable headline stories to life.

Get the App

Listen to our podcast.

What happens when the “first rough draft of history” gets it wrong? Bias, incomplete narratives, and flawed journalism can distort the truth. That’s where The Second Draft Podcast comes in. Brought to you by the Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab at USC, this podcast revisits Black news stories that were misreported or misunderstood, centering the voices of Black storytellers to set the record straight.

Listen Here

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Engage with journalism history.

Journalism’s “first draft of history” sometimes fails the marginalized. The Second Draft Project empowers social justice icons to correct the record. Chat with them, through our ethical AI technology.

Let’s Talk