Tianna Shaw-Wakeman made history as the first Black valedictorian at the University of Southern California after earning a master’s in Social Entrepreneurship, while also championing sustainability and social justice throughout her academic journey.
Tianna Shaw-Wakeman has made history at the University of Southern California (USC) by becoming the institution’s first Black valedictorian. She achieved this remarkable milestone after earning a master’s degree in Social Entrepreneurship from USC’s Marshall School of Business.
Prior to her graduate studies, Tianna completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology at USC’s Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences.
Breaking Barriers Through Academic Excellence
During her graduation ceremony, Tianna reflected on the significance of her achievement:
“This revelation stands as a testament, albeit small, to both how far we’ve come as an institution, as a country … and how far we have to go.”
She also spoke candidly about her early days at the university:
“There weren’t a lot of people who were southerners; there weren’t a lot of people who were Black; there weren’t a lot of people who were low-income. It really was just an overwhelming world for me.”
A Passion for Sustainability and Social Impact
Tianna’s journey at USC was marked by a deep commitment to environmental and social issues. She joined the university’s Environmental Core in her freshman year and later helped organize the 2019 climate strike. Her passion led her to co-found DivestSC, an initiative advocating for the university to transition its investments from fossil fuels to clean energy.
In addition to her activism, Tianna volunteered with Teach for Los Angeles, where she tutored elementary school students in reading and writing.
“I only saw my role… as trying to be a vessel for this energy and this vibrancy about how important sustainability is that was already there among the students,” she shared.
Her story stands as a powerful reminder of perseverance, leadership, and the impact of using education as a tool for change.
READ ALSO: “School isn’t a scam,” Successful Businesswoman says as she shows off her 4 degrees
SOURCES: ALLSCHOOL, SCHOLARSHIP REGION
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