Our Beloved Co-worker and Friend Sonya Black

The faculty and staff at the USC Rossier School of Education are devastated by the unexpected loss of our co-worker and dear friend, Sonya Black. This campaign will be one way for us to express our condolences to her three beautiful children- two of them are very young. Funds will be used at the family’s discretion to meet current and future needs. Please donate whatever you can. No amount is too small.

Sonya joined USC Rossier in 2010, and was dedicated to the Office of Faculty Affairs for 13 years. In January 2023, she was promoted to Faculty Affairs Coordinator. Anyone who came to visit the office while Sonya was there knows that she was the heartbeat. Sonya was gifted with an ability to form positive and encouraging relationships with Rossier’s 100+ faculty as well as with fellow staff members. Everyone who visited the School for job talks, interviews and much more had nothing but words of praise regarding her welcoming presence. Beyond the regular tasks of her job, Sonya was committed to making Rossier a safe place for all. She would read articles on her own and provide incredible insight into how the School might better enact its mission when we had faculty-staff meetings or in everyday conversation. Sonya was a devoted and loving mother to her children, and she was devoted to her own mother. She was active in her church and her community. We know that her loss will be deeply felt.

Destini, Michael, Jessica, Dwuana, & Brendesha