Howard University holds a special place in Vice President Kamala Harris’ life, as it is where she spent some of her most formative years and where she will spend election night. Harris, who graduated from Howard in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree, also pledged the first Black sorority in the U.S., Alpha Kappa Alpha, while at the Historically Black College and University. The campus is known as “The Mecca” for its legacy of producing Black community leaders. If elected, Harris would be the first Black woman to win the presidency, a historic achievement she seldom discusses on the campaign trail.
While Harris does not often bring up her race while campaigning, she has emphasized Howard University’s role in her life throughout her political career. The campus also served as a location for debate preparations against former President Donald Trump and the launch of her 2020 presidential bid. Harris’ campaign recently focused on HBCUs to attract young voters and alumni through the “HBCU Homecoming Tour.” This tour aimed to meet voters where they are, given that there are nearly 290,000 students enrolled at HBCUs across the country. Homecomings at HBCUs are reminiscent of family reunions and provide a sense of community.
Despite being unable to attend Howard University’s homecoming due to campaign commitments in battleground states, Harris expressed her pride in her alma mater in a letter, highlighting the importance of hard work and reaching one’s potential. The HBCU tour was organized by Cameron Trimble, a Howard graduate who found immense pride in being able to cast his vote for a fellow Bison. Mississippi state Rep. Justis Gibbs, another Howard graduate, spoke about how Harris inspired him to get involved in politics and emphasized the significance of her potential presidency for breaking through barriers.
Support for Harris is strong among some Howard University graduates, as seen in their belief in her ability to inspire change and break through barriers. However, there is still a sense of anxiety among supporters, as a recent CBS News poll found an even split in support for Harris and Trump across battleground states, indicating a close race. Despite the uncertainty of the election outcome, Howard graduate Virgil Parker emphasized that Harris’ journey shows that anyone can achieve success, regardless of their background. As a person of color and HBCU graduate himself, Parker sees himself in Vice President Harris and admires her access to success.
