Faculty Fellows

Faculty fellows guide students in learning how to report on, archive, and analyze Black history, equipping the next generation with the tools to document and share these stories accurately.

Bass Faculty Fellows

Bass Faculty Fellows are scholars, journalists, and media practitioners dedicated to amplifying and preserving West Coast Black media history through rigorous research, teaching, and community engagement. These fellows play a crucial role in mentoring students, developing innovative research projects, and contributing to public conversations about Black media and historical narratives.

Clarissa Beyah

Public Relations Fellow

Clarissa Beyah is a communications executive and professor of professional practice at USC Annenberg. She advises the Bass Lab on public relations strategies that amplify our mission and reach.

Jameela Hammond

Audio Storytelling Fellow

Jameela Hammond is an audio storyteller and adjunct professor at USC Annenberg, who collaborates with the Bass Lab to produce compelling podcasts that highlight underrepresented stories.

Keith Plocek

Drone Journalism Fellow

Keith Plocek is an Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at USC Annenberg and an award-winning journalist who teaches Bass Fellows innovative drone journalism techniques to enhance their reporting.

Melanie Cherry

Public Relations Fellow

Melanie Cherry is a communications strategist and Associate Professor of Professional Practice at USC Annenberg. She supports the Bass Lab by developing impactful social media strategies.

Sandy Tolan

Audio Storytelling Fellow

Sandy Tolan is a Professor of Journalism at USC Annenberg, an award-winning author, and a seasoned reporter who guides Bass Fellows in mastering longform storytelling to explore complex narratives.