Author and veteran LA journalist Tre’vell Anderson encourages students to practice ‘radical authenticity’
by Brielle Smith
Tre’vell Anderson and Dr. Allissa Richardson discuss Anderson’s ongoing practice of “radical authenticity” in the newsroom, as a Black and queer newsmaker.
Award-winning journalist. Podcast host. Author. Social curator. Now, USC Annenberg Guest Speaker. These are a few of the many hats Tre’vell Anderson wears and graciously slays.
In November 2023, Tre’vell Anderson visited the USC Charlotta Bass Journalism and Justice lab to discuss authenticity and visibility in journalism and media. Their experiences as a nonbinary South Carolina native and Morehouse College graduate drive their passion for advocacy journalism and mission to increase nonbinary and transgender visibility in the media. During Anderson’s visit, they discussed how to remain authentic in journalism in regards to identity.
Anderson’s first book, co-authored by jarret hill, is titled Historically Black Phrases: From I Ain't One of Your Lil' Friends to Who All Gon' Be There. The work colorfully explores Black language and expressions that have driven culture and created community for many generations. Both authors describe the book as a “love letter to the Black community.”
Anderson’s new book, Historically Black Phrases, analyzes how black language drives culture forward.
Using lessons from the text, Anderson shines a light on what it means to unapologetically insert Black culture and experience in journalism and media rather than conforming and producing journalistic content that does not reach across cultural boundaries.
“I had Tre’vell’s Black phrasebook and was instantly hooked. I was interested in meeting and hearing some who understood the importance of encyclopedia-ing AAVE while incorporating the nuances of our culture, says Annenberg Public Relations and Advertising graduate student Reenua Jones. “Black, loud, and proud! Always a win in my book!”
Despite modern media’s renaissance recognition of transgender culture, Anderson reminds us that trans history has long existed. They instill the importance of recognizing facts that have been historically shadowed and celebrating the qualities that others won’t. From their new memoir, “We See Each Other: A Black, Trans Journey Through TV and Film,” Anderson examines the importance of visibility and celebration of identity in media, unearthing a transcestry that has long awaited amplification.
Tre’vell Anderson takes a farewell photo with Dr. Richardson and some of the USC Annenberg attendees.