Meet the 2024 Charlotta Bass Journalism & Justice Fellows!
by Liv KelleherIn an era plagued by misinformation, preserving and championing the work of Black journalists and media-makers has never been more important.
This work is at the heart of the Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab, USC’s first research center dedicated to honoring, exploring, and sharing Black media.
Charlotta Bass waves as she exits a plane.
Charlotta Bass, the program’s namesake, was the first Black woman in America to run a newsroom when she took over The Eagle in 1912. By 1930, Bass changed the name to The California Eagle and built the paper into the largest Black-owned publication in the country. Her tenacity, courage, and commitment to telling the truth about race in America are the foundation of our work.
The Charlotta Bass Fellows and Marketing Associates bring attention to the work of Black journalists and media trailblazers. We accomplish this through a series of events, digital content, and community-building opportunities, including the Media Trailblazer Award ceremony, Charlotta Bass day events, the Bearing Witness e-zine, Black archival practice workshops, and media company visits.
Each Bass Fellow and Marketing Associate brings a unique perspective to our work, both personally and professionally. Our fellows come from nine different cities, two different countries, and a myriad of backgrounds and viewpoints. Together, our diversity makes us stronger.
Get to know our team!
Senior Fellow: Rafiq Taylor
Rafiq Taylor poses for a headshot
Hometown: Omaha, NE
Program: MA in Public Relations and Advertising
“I’ve always been passionate about shining a light on underrepresented and forgotten stories.”
Required Reading: How to Be Black by Baratunde Thurston
Bass Fellows:
John Kwesi Broadway
John Kwesi Broadway poses for a headshot
Hometown: San Pedro, CA
Program, MA in Specialized Journalism Arts and Culture
“As someone who understands the social justice impact that journalism can wield, I feel called to contribute to a Lab that is unapologetic in its intention to wield journalism as a tool to uplift the Black community. “
Required Reading:
The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success by Deepak Chopra.
“It's only about 30 pages but has an incredible amount of wisdom that can help people attain peace and happiness in their life.”
Zoe Trask
Zoe Trask poses for a headshot
Hometown: New Orleans, LA
Program: MA in Specialized Journalism
“Since my journalistic focus is primarily social justice, I was confident that the Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab would give me the opportunity and safe space to elevate and uplift Black voices. I am grateful to be a part of a program that gives me the tools to make a significant impact on Black lives and our society as a whole.”
Required Reading: I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou
Liv Kelleher
Liv Kelleher poses for a headshot
Hometown: Oak Park, IL
Program: MA in Specialized Journalism
“As a journalist, I focus on the intersection of culture and identity. This interest grew out of my love for writers like James Baldwin, Richard Wright, Toni Morrison and Zadie Smith. To be a part of a program that champions and celebrates the voices of Black writers and creators is not only aligned with my values, but crucial to my personal development. I’m grateful to contribute to this incredibly important work and help spread Black news and media.”
Required Reading: Between The World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Taylor Marie Contarino
Taylor Contarino poses for a headshot
Hometown: West Deptford, NJ
Program: BA in Journalism + MA in Specialized Journalism Arts + Culture
“I love the work that the Charlotta Bass Journalism + Justice Lab does and wanted to be a part of it. The events and speakers that we bring to USC's campus are so important and I want to be instrumental in helping to see them through!”
Required Reading: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, The Rose That Grew From Concrete by Tupac Amaru Shakur
Brielle Smith
Brielle Smith poses for a headshot
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Program: MA in Public Relations and Advertising
“The mission of my work is to create positive representation of minorities in media. Working with the CBL does just that!”
Required Reading: A Little Life by Hanya Yanaghira
“I fall in love with every book I read, so it’s hard to just pick one. But ”A Little Life” is amazing!
Varidhi D’Cruz
Varidhi D’Cruz poses for a headshot
Hometown: Lucknow, India
Program: MA in Public Relations and Advertising
“The motto of our lab is ‘Save, Study & Share.’ It’s so basic and yet of the utmost importance. The CB lab gives a platform to voices that go unheard. I actively follow Black media in social justice and have friends here who actively participate in and promote the Black community. My last semester couldn't have been more special than to have a seat at the table with Dr. Richardson whose work I have read and admired for so long! Bonus: I get to work with such talented, creative and kind Trojans. It's a win-win!”
Required Reading: The Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
“I have gifted this book to at least 20 people!”
Marketing Associates:
Sahil Thakkar
Sahil Thakkar poses for a headshot
Hometown: Pune, India
Program: MS in Digital Social Media
“The groundbreaking work of this critical initiative attracted me to the Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice Lab.”
Required Reading: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Sasha Jackson
Sasha Jackson poses for a headshot
Hometown: Union City, CA
Program: MA in Public Relations and Advertising
“I was attracted to becoming an associate for The Charlotta Bass Journalism + Justice Lab because of the mission to share African American stories and explore West Coast racial justice movements. This work is reminiscent of my time working at Howard University's newspaper during my undergraduate career. At Howard, I shared many events in Black history about my alma mater and other memorable moments on the East Coast such as The Civil Rights Movement and the March on Washington. I wanted to continue my journey at The Bass Lab, sharing Black stories, media, and culture.”
Required Reading: Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah
Ava Brown
Ava Brown poses for a headshot
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Program: MA in Public Relations and Advertising
“The mission is moving. I love ensuring that people feel confident in their stories so to do that for the black community and to honor those who have paved the way for so many to make a change is inspiring.”
Required Reading: The Color Purple by Alice Walker
“It is so empowering and it’s a story that has captured me for a long time. It helped shape the woman I want to be and who I want to be for others”
Research Fellow: Jane Yang
Jane Yang poses for a headshot