By Intern Ilias Alaffi

USC’s Asian Pacific American Student Assembly (APASA) and Black Student Assembly (BSA) held an open joint general meeting Monday in the TCC Forum to discuss intersectionality and foster meaningful conversations between Black and APIDA (Asian Pacific Islander Desi American) students.

Students engage in small-group discussions during a joint meeting hosted by USC’s Asian Pacific American Student Assembly and Black Student Assembly on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in the Tutor Campus Center Forum at USC in Los Angeles. (Photo/Ilias Alaffi)

The event began with free snacks, including brands popular amongst Black and APIDA communities. Participants slowly arrived close to the 6 p.m. start time, filling up seats among several circular conversation tables. Various topics and questions were prepared by event organizers Pushpita Hossain of APASA and Jaylynn Watson of BSA to facilitate discussion at every table. More students showed up than expected, as conversation tables began filling up and extra chairs were needed.

Snacks and drinks, including brands popular within Black and APIDA communities, are displayed at a joint APASA and BSA meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at USC in Los Angeles. (Photo/Ilias Alaffi)

Shortly after the event started, the organizers began presenting, giving a brief overview of the event and its purpose. They shared commonalities among Black and APIDA cultures and gave examples of cultural exchange between the two groups. In an interview after the event, organizer and BSA Intersectionality Chair Jaylynn Watson said the main goal of the event was connection and community. “I wanted both of our communities to intermingle, get to know each other, connect, and I do think we got that,” she said. The meeting lasted about an hour, being held from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Blank tote bags and markers were laid on each table, meant to be designed by participants as they discussed the various questions. Tote bag designing was a key marketing strategy likely used to get increased participation in the event.

Students design tote bags while participating in guided discussions during a joint APASA and BSA meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in the Tutor Campus Center Forum at USC. (Photo/Ilias Alaffi)

Question themes revolved around complex identities, intersectionality, shared experiences on and off campus, and allyship. Conversations got personal at times, the structure of small groups at conversation tables making the discussion feel casual and comfortable for participants.

Organizers Pushpita and Jaylynn were nervous at first, thinking it may end up being a small general meeting. “But there were a lot of people that showed up” APASA Diversity Chair Pushpita Hossain said after the event concluded. “One of the things I wanted to do as Diversity Chair was to make sure that we were able to connect with a different community on campus…and this was a great way,” she added.

Hand-designed tote bags rest on a table during a joint APASA and BSA meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, at USC in Los Angeles. The creative activity accompanied discussions about complex identities and shared experiences among Black and APIDA students. (Photo/Ilias Alaffi)

Participants were actively engaged throughout the event, with facilitators sitting at each table to help guide conversations whenever necessary. Participant Shayzari Kent, who serves as an administrative assistant to BSA, said the event went really well. “There was a lot of people, there were so many important conversations happening about multiculturalism, about intersectionality.”

Sage Murthy, USC student and APASA director, decorates a tote bag during a joint APASA and BSA meeting on Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in the Tutor Campus Center Forum. (Photo/Ilias Alaffi)

The two assemblies operate under USC’s Undergraduate Student Government, meaning schedules are tight and members are constantly busy. Because of this, collaborations between APASA and BSA are rare, making Monday's event extra special. APASA and BSA will be having a joint photoshoot later this month, part two of an effort to foster intersectionality among APIDA and Black communities on USC’s campus. “We were all super excited especially for the photo shoot portion,” said Watson, “so it's not over yet, we still have more to do and we are really excited about it.”

APASA x BSA: Discussing Intersectionality