After President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, Vice President Kamala Harris received an outpouring of support and solidarity from Black women politicians in New York. More than 45,000 participants nationwide joined a Zoom call to show their backing for her presidential campaign. The call was organized swiftly and efficiently, with the aim of demonstrating the unwavering support of Black women for Vice President Harris during her campaign.
Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson took to X to share news of a significant call organized by Win with Black Women. The group, established in 2020 to champion Black women in politics, saw a surge in donations toward Harris’ campaign during the call that lasted late into the night. According to the group, the call raised over $1.5 million in three hours. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Members Sandy Nurse, and Nantasha Williams also joined the call to show their support.
As the first African American woman to represent the Bronx as borough president, Gibson was able to witness the powerful display of support for Harris on Sunday. Thousands of Black women from various fields, including legislators, political leaders, senators, actresses, members of Congress, and union leaders, came together on a Zoom call to rally behind Harris. The call was filled with discussions about the significance of this moment for women of color, recognition of Biden’s decision to step down, and information about Harris’ background and policy platform. Additionally, organizers shared actionable steps to mobilize supporters.
Gibson vividly remembers the atmosphere of the event – a mix of enthusiasm and apprehension. The attendees were aware of the challenges that Harris would have to face in her fight against Trump, who has proved to be a formidable opponent. Recent surveys indicate that Harris is trailing Trump by a narrow margin both nationally and in crucial swing states. Despite the uphill battle, Harris’ supporters remain optimistic. They acknowledge that being a woman and a woman of color makes the challenge even greater, but they are determined to highlight her impressive record of accomplishments and leadership skills.
Gibson aims to address the persistent issue of low voter turnout in the Bronx and utilize her role as borough president to encourage younger generations to support Harris.
During the Zoom call, Brooks-Powers felt a strong sense of energy and passion from the participants, which she hadn’t experienced on a campaign for a long time. Although she did not reveal any specifics about the discussions, she left the call feeling motivated to help in any way possible. This includes raising funds and speaking to individuals in her community and other battleground states. Brooks-Powers is willing to put on her chucks and get to work.
According to her, it is essential to acknowledge Kamala Harris’s qualifications for the position of president. She emphasized that it’s crucial not to label her as merely a woman or a woman of color.
Brooks-Powers expressed her pride as a woman of color and emphasized her admiration for Kamala Harris’ qualifications. Her previous experience as an attorney general in California, a senator, and four years as vice president make her more qualified than Donald Trump.
Despite several attempts to join the Zoom meeting, the Nurse was unable to do so due to the overwhelming number of participants. However, she managed to catch the end of it and was encouraged by the remarkable mobilization effort demonstrated by the group.
According to Nurse, Democrats were relieved that there is now a chance to steer the country away from an unstable direction. She believes that Kamala Harris, the young and dynamic Vice President-elect, represents a new hope for the country. Nurse acknowledges that Harris is not perfect, but emphasizes that she is the best option available and one that all Democrats should rally behind. She plans to contribute to the cause by hosting phone banks, mobilizing voters in New York, and working closely with her colleagues.
As the first woman, Black person, and Asian American to serve as vice president, Kamala Harris has already made history. Now, with the increasing likelihood of her becoming the first woman of color at the top of a major-party presidential ticket, and potentially ascending to the presidency, Harris is poised to make history once again. Biden’s announcement of his exit from the race has injected fresh energy into the presidential race, with a wave of donations and endorsements pouring in for Harris over the past 24 hours. New York has been no exception, with a number of elected officials voicing their support for Harris, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
In a state recognized for its Black political power, Harris’ support is of significant importance. Although several Black New York elected officials were not present on the Sunday night call, some leaders have gone beyond a simple endorsement. City & State reported that Senate Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins, is enthusiastic about utilizing all her resources to support the first Black woman president to be elected in the country. Additionally, New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading a coalition of the nation’s six Black state attorney generals in endorsing Harris for president.
