Our Team - Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab

Administrative Staff

Allissa Richardson

Founding Director

Dr. Allissa V. Richardson, founding director of the USC Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab, researches how African Americans use emerging technologies to build independent news networks. Through the Bass Lab, she has established a central hub for advancing scholarly inquiry into media innovation and justice-driven journalism.

Rafiq Taylor

Public Relations Associate

Rafiq Taylor is the Public Relations Associate for the Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Lab, where he leads guest relations and media outreach efforts to amplify the Lab’s mission.

Partners

Halline Overby

Director of Photography

Halline Overby is a multidisciplinary artist and producer who specializes in visual media, design, and communication. As a practicing photographer and videographer, he focuses on social impact, community-centered projects, and collaborations that uplift BIPOC people, places, spaces, and organizations while staying deeply connected to art, culture, and conversation.

Taylor Marie Contarino

Community Engagement Associate

Taylor Marie Contarino is the founder and CEO of Taylor Marie LLC, The Connection Agency. Passionate about bringing creative concepts, projects, and ideas to life, Taylor‘s work lies in connecting the dots to bring exciting and impactful, mutually beneficial partnerships to life.