March 8, 2024

The ASCCESS Summit, hosted by the USC Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), welcomed more than 200 business leaders in Southern California to connect and learn about resources and procurement opportunities with the university.  

The full-day event, held at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center, included a robust agenda featuring best practices in business diversity, panel discussions, and one-on-one matchmaking sessions with key university procurement divisions, including USC Business Services, Keck Medicine of USC, and USC Facilities Planning and Management.  

A university-wide commitment to supporting diverse businesses 
As an anchor institution and one of the region’s largest private employers, USC is uniquely positioned to expand opportunities for entrepreneurs. This annual event builds on the university’s deep commitment and efforts to advancing economic equity. These efforts include partnering with the university’s 22 academic schools and Keck Medicine of USC to empower the region’s diverse businesses and build an ecosystem to support small and local businesses. 

Expanding equitable access 
The USC Office of Business Opportunity (OBO), was established in 2020 by President Carol L. Folt to significantly expand USC procurement opportunities for local diverse businesses. OBO, headed by Dr. Michèle G. Turner, associate vice president, partners to ensure diverse-owned businesses are enabled and empowered to leverage their relationship with USC to compete for contracts with USC and other major public and private entities. OBO’s efforts also include Trojan Shop Local, led by Gary D. Brown, which supports nearly 80 small businesses across Los Angeles.  

Building an ecosystem of opportunity  
All of these efforts are part of USC’s civic engagement and economic partnerships team, led by Effie Turnbull Sanders, grounded in the university’s commitment to building a shared vision for Los Angeles and advancing economic inclusion for all.