Black Women Unite to Supercharge Kamala Harris’s Presidential Campaign

WASHINGTON — Vice President Kamala Harris is poised to deliver the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday, marking a significant moment as she becomes the first Black and South Asian woman to head a major party ticket. Her recent nomination has invigorated a crucial voter base within the Democratic Party: Black women.

Following President Joe Biden’s decision to withdraw from the reelection race last month, he endorsed Harris as his successor. Her campaign has rapidly amassed over $300 million and secured the necessary delegate votes, a surge largely supported by Black women activists. “What we’ve seen happen in the last couple of weeks is an influx of resources that will allow Harris to mount as effective a mobilization campaign as she can,” said Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University.

The campaign’s battleground states director, Dan Kanninen, reported that over 360,000 volunteers have joined the effort to canvass and make calls. This mobilization will be critical, especially in states like Georgia, where Black women’s participation was pivotal in turning the state blue for Biden in 2020. Their efforts helped Democrats secure two U.S. Senate seats, which enabled the party to confirm significant judicial appointments, including Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

The Cook Political Report has adjusted Georgia’s ranking to “toss-up” since Harris announced her candidacy, noting her slight lead over former President Donald Trump, contrasting with Biden’s earlier deficit. Keneshia Grant, an associate professor of political science at Howard University, explained that Biden’s endorsement of Harris was not immediate after his announcement to step down, highlighting a moment of uncertainty regarding her position.

Calls for unity around Harris were spearheaded by influential figures like U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, who stressed the importance of supporting her potential candidacy. “Passing over this Black woman in this moment would not be tolerated,” Grant stated, pointing to the mobilization of Black women as a significant factor in the party’s strategy. Within hours of Biden’s announcement, a massive Zoom call organized by #WinWithBlackWomen drew over 90,000 participants and raised $1.3 million for Harris’ campaign.

Networking within Black Greek-letter organizations, known as the “Divine Nine,” provides Harris with a strong platform. As a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she can rally support from over 2 million members committed to community service and voter engagement. Deborah Elizabeth Whaley, a professor at the University of Iowa, emphasized the role of these organizations in historical civil rights efforts, stating, “The whole idea is that you’re coming together in the name of service to help Black communities.”

The National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body of the Divine Nine, announced plans for a major voter turnout campaign, leveraging the extensive network of chapters and members it oversees. Their involvement showcases a commitment to civic engagement, even as they must remain nonpartisan.

Harris’ strategy also includes by harnessing Black sororities like her own, which recently launched a political action committee. During a recent conference, she inspired over 6,000 sorority sisters, declaring, “When we mobilize, nations change. And when we vote, we make history.”

The selection of Beyoncé’s “Freedom” as her campaign anthem reflects a more assertive approach. Grant highlights this choice as emblematic of Harris’ intention to call out political opponents rather than simply responding to attacks. Kinitra Brooks, an academic specializing in literary studies, echoed this sentiment, noting the song’s themes of hard-won freedom and the ongoing struggle to maintain that freedom amidst contemporary challenges.

As Harris embarks on a brisk campaign trail through battleground states such as Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and Pennsylvania, she frames her efforts as a “fight for the future,” pledging to safeguard core freedoms amid what she describes as an assault on long-established rights. “We are not going back,” she affirmed at a recent rally in Las Vegas.