Jasmine Taylor is the new executive director of the USC Black Alumni Association. A Compton, California native and USC Sol Price School of Public Policy alumna, Taylor brings 30 years of public sector experience to the position.
Previously, she led nonprofits in Baltimore, Dallas and Las Vegas. In 2020, she returned to Los Angeles to serve as the chief operating officer of A Place Called Home —a nonprofit that provides a safe, nurturing environment for young people in South L.A. and offers programs in the arts, education and wellness. A graduate of Coro Women in Leadership, Taylor was also the recipient of a Reinhard Mohn Fellowship and a National Urban Fellowship.
Her involvement with nonprofits began at age 16 when she worked with the Constitutional Rights Foundation and RebuildLA to create her first charitable organization following the 1992 civil unrest in Los Angeles. According to Taylor, “education is a human right” and she has dedicated her life and career to closing achievement gaps and creating access to education for underserved youth.
Taylor and other honorees exemplifying Black excellence will be saluted at BAA’s 47th Scholarship Gala on Friday, March 31, at 6 p.m., at the Ritz Carlton Marina Del Rey. The event will include dinner and tribute by singer-songwriter, Chante Moore.
Also, Miki Turner (USC MCG’18 alumni and faculty) will receive the Kilgore Service Award for her efforts in diversifying the media industry and programming at Annenberg and Kiesha Nix (USC Black Alumni – Corporate Advisory Board) will be presented with the Kilgore Service Award for her charitable initiatives to create pathways for Black youth in South L.A. Nix recently made history as the first Black woman vice president in the Lakers organization. Daniel Prince (USC B.A. 2000, M.A. 2002) is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award, which recognizes his work as a litigator and in giving back to the USC community.
The USC Black Alumni Association, founded in 1976 by the Rev. Dr. Thomas Kilgore Jr., is a leadership network established to strengthen the legacy of educational attainment and excellence of USC’s Black students. The BAA provides scholarship assistance, career mentoring, and cultural advocacy through alumni networking, volunteer involvement, philanthropy, and social enterprise.
Each year, BAA awards 100+ scholars with financial aid. To date, it has awarded over $4.5 million in scholarships to Black USC students. BAA Scholars are in 100% of USC schools, including the university’s graduate and professional programs.
To purchase tickets to the 47th Annual BAA Scholarship Gala, support this important work, and help continue this legacy of access and education, visit alumni.usc.edu/baa/events.
