USC Dornsife College Of Letters Arts and Sciences

University of Southern California

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Archive

Memories of the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray – 1929-2024

The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, who died April 5, 2024 at age 94, trained 1,000 faith leaders in community development and civic engagement at USC, building on an illustrious career …

Reflections from the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray

“If I could help somebody as I travel along…then my living has not been in vain.” Hear the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray quote the song that inspired his life and …

Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray Sings “Lift Every Voice and Sing”

Hear the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray, who died April 5, 2024 at age 94, sing “Lift Every Voice and Sing” shortly before his retirement from the University of Southern California …

Los Angeles’ Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. Murray, Dies at Age 94

Until the pandemic, the Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray was the first person in the USC Center for Religion and Civic Culture’s office every morning. Then 90 years old, he would …

CapRadio: Najuma Smith on Solidarity within Black and Asian American Communities

What does racial solidarity look like among communities of color? CRCC’s Rev. Najuma Smith was interviewed on CapRadio’s Mid Pacific about the complex relationship the Black community has with the Asian American …

KPCC: Najuma Smith-Pollard on LA Council Members’ Racist Remarks

Faith leaders are among those calling for accountability after the revelations of racist comments in a conversation between some of Los Angeles’ top Latino political leaders. The Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard spoke …

Passing on the Kindness: A Conversation on Faith and Social Entrepreneurship

The Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard hosted a conversation with Ida Puliwa, a social entrepreneur and community organizer from Malawi and a “Spiritual Exemplar,” profiled as part of the Center for Religion and …

Rev Murray teaching at USC in 2005

Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray Retires from University of Southern California

The Rev. Dr. Cecil L. “Chip” Murray announced his retirement from his second career—as Tansey Professor of Christian Ethics and chair of the Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement—at the University of …

NY Times: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Abortion Views in Black Communities

Among Black Americans, support for reproductive rights is connected with their concern for broader civil rights, the New York Times reports. The article frames CRCC’s Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard as helping shape …

Roundtable of Faith Leaders and Vice President Kamala Harris on Reproductive Health

Vice President Kamala Harris recently hosted a roundtable with faith leaders on the state of reproductive health care in the United States. The event, held at the Los Angeles County Federation of …

Why Activism Thrives in L.A.’s Black Churches

This article was originally published by Trojan Family Magazine. by Eric Lindberg; Photos by Gus Ruelas Many members of the Rev. Najuma Smith-Pollard’s church near downtown Los Angeles struggled for food during the …

ABC7: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Black History Month

CRCC’s Rev. Dr. Najuma Smith-Pollard was interviewed on ABC7 News about Black History Month. “It’s about having the mindset of we and us, not just me and myself alone,” Smith-Pollard said. “Black …

For Covering and Joy: A Prayer for Black History Month

Najuma Smith-Pollard helped University of Southern California kick off Black History Month with a prayer for the university-wide event, “Black Joy: Embracing Health and Vitality.” Watch the prayer or read the full …

Community Storytelling for Policy Change: 30th anniversary of LA Civil Unrest

In times of turmoil, storytelling can be a catalyst for policy change as well as a symbol for healing and resistance. As we recognize the 30th anniversary of the Los Angeles Uprising, …

Wealth-Building Resources

What are your life goals?  We all have financial goals — you may want to save for education or retirement, get out of debt or buy a house. The USC Center for …

CBS2 and Spectrum News 1: Najuma Smith-Pollard on Martin Luther King Day Jr.

CRCC’s Najuma Smith-Pollard was featured on CBS2 and Spectrum News 1’s “In Focus SoCal” to talk about how Los Angeles communities are continuing the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Speaking …

Hate Crimes & Civil Rights: A Critical Conversation with the FBI & US Attorney’s Office

In response to the rise of hate crimes nationally, the USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement invited faith leaders and community activists to join a critical conversation with the FBI and …

John Hope Bryant: Building Wealth in Communities of Color

The USC Cecil Murray Center for Community Engagement hosted John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE for a Critical Conversation on building wealth in communities of color. John Hope Bryant leads Operation HOPE, …

An Interfaith Dialogue on the Crisis Care Needs of Faith Communities

Faith leaders share about the behavioral health crises affecting diverse faith communities and the critical role they play as a support system during times of crisis. This panel was a part of …

The Special Report: Smith-Pollard looks back on Rodney King Beating

The Special Report with Areva Martin hosted Najuma Smith-Pollard for a conversation on the impact of the Rodney King beating on Los Angeles and the country 30 years later, along with Lora …