The Center for Diversity & Democracy

Breakfast with Obama

On Tuesday, January 20, 2009, about 50 faculty and graduate students assembled in USC’s Hedco auditorium to share a moment in history as the first African American president of the United States was sworn into office. Two large screens boomed with the excitement of more than a million people gathered on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. The audience focused on the historic event and participated in an enlightening group discussion afterward headed by local scholars: Robin D. G. Kelley, Judith Halberstam, Manuel Pastor, and Ange-Marie Hancock.

A Conversation with Grace Lee Boggs

On Monday, April 27, 2009, the Center for Diversity and Democracy hosted a convesation with Grace Lee Boggs. Grace is an activist, writer and speaker whose more than sixty years of political involvement encompass the major U.S. social movements of this century: Labor, Civil Rights, Black Power, Asian American, Women’s and Environmental Justice.

At 94 years old she spoke to a standing room only crowd who was riveted by her wisdom. Undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty, staff, and community members listened to her speak about the most important struggles of our time.

One undergraduate stated, "she spoke inspirationally about our need to take responsibility...how the issues we face today are complex and deeply interconnected."

Another exclaimed that, "she stirred an immediate need within me to do something selfless--to stand up for what's right."

Watch the video here.

1st 100 Days of the Obama Administration

On Tuesday, April 28, 2009, the Center for Diversity and Democracy hosted a panel to reflect on national and local changes in the first 100 days of the Obama Administration. Community activists Grace Lee Boggs, Carmelo Alvarez, and USC scholars Ange-Marie Hancock and Ricardo Ramirez participated as panelists.