Kevin Shepherd’s grandmother used to tell him: “Boy, don’t you forget where you came from.”
Shepherd spoke along with other community members at the Association of African-American Students meeting Tuesday night, a gathering to celebrate the 50th anniversary of racial desegregation at USC. Other guest speakers included Ramone Jackson, Henry Wright, USC Gospel Choir director Carl Wells and Valinda Littlefield, director of USC’s African-American Studies department.
Focusing on the history of race relations on campus, the speakers fielded questions from AAAS members about current affairs and goals for the future. Among the questions were, “How can we get together and make a true difference on this campus?” and “What can we do to keep improving ourselves and climbing up the ladder?”
Littlefield praised the students for thinking about their futures as well as their past.
“You have to ask yourselves what you want to be known as,” she said. “Keep your rich history alive, think about the future. Build a relationship with your professors and always put your best foot forward — it makes a difference.”
Also mentioned at the panel were famous alumni who have come from AAAS and the inspiration they can provide to current members. They included Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin and USC’s first African-American student body president, Harry Walker.
Elected in 1971, Walker’s campaign slogan was “Let’s Get It Together,” a phrase he used to reach out to others.
“The first African-American student at USC successfully got her degree,” Jackson said. “That’s the kind of legacy we should be focusing on.”
The panel also answered questions about diversity and how to include other student organizations in future AAAS events. John Dozier, the university’s new Chief Diversity Officer, offered insight on the topic.
“Diversity is an interesting issue here at USC,” Dozier said. “It isn’t just about black and white, but celebrating the differences in each other. Your challenge as a student is to embrace AAAS, but to also step out of your comfort zone and meet other folks.”
Aaron Greene, a second-year public relations student and president of AAAS spoke about the importance of connecting AAAS with other groups on campus.
“We’re one of the biggest organizations here, and there’s an opportunity for us to reach out to different groups and unify the campus,” Greene said.
Meeting other types of people is an important way to educate themselves and educate someone else, Dozier told the students.
“And in my experience, I’ve found that a lot of people need a lot of education,” he said.
Wright praised the students for taking the time to treasure their history and be a part of the conversation. Stressing the importance of keeping records and networking on campus, he said an archive of AAAS events would help future students continue the work of their predecessors.