Today, Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden named former rival Senator Kamala Harris as his running mate, a historic candidacy. Kamala Harris is not only the first woman of color on a major party ticket, she’s also the first Asian American on a presidential ticket. And, should they win, she would be the first woman Vice President.
But Harris’s candidacy is groundbreaking in another way. Senator Harris is the first graduate of a historically Black college or university (HBCU) to run on a major party’s presidential ticket.
Senator Harris is a 1986 graduate of Howard University in Washington, DC. The university’s president, Dr. Wayne Frederick, called Biden’s choice “an extraordinary moment in the history of America and Howard.”
An extraordinary moment in the history of America & @HowardU! @KamalaHarris’ selection as the Democratic VP candidate represents a milestone opportunity for our democracy to acknowledge the leadership Black women have always exhibited. My friend & fellow alumna, we are w/ you! pic.twitter.com/XuxKAGrs3B
— Wayne A. I. Frederick (@HUPrez17) August 11, 2020
While at Howard, Harris was also a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, which also celebrated the selection of Harris on Twitter.
Congratulations to @SenKamalaHarris —the first HBCU graduate—to be selected to serve on a major party ticket! She is emblematic of the caliber of leaders that our HBCUs produce. Last year, I interviewed her about the future of HBCUs. https://t.co/w3ZKbelQXD
— Harry L. Williams (@DrHLWilliams) August 11, 2020
Harris will likely use this to her advantage against of the President’s talking points. President Trump has often mentioned his increase in funding of HBCUs on the campaign trail — though it was Representative Alma Adams’s bill he signed.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, in a time of great concern around racial injustice in the country, her candidacy will be felt by many as momentous.
Source: Forbes
‘Smart, Tough and Ready to Lead': Biden Picks Kamala Harris as Vice Presidential Candidatehttps://t.co/j1NwWf2BrW pic.twitter.com/RgcFQalrkz
— Alpha Kappa Alpha (@akasorority1908) August 11, 2020
Dr. Harry Williams, President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, took to Twitter to congratulate the Senator, noting the significance of Harris being selected.
