An historic election inspires across generations

This blog was written as part of Charlotte Mecklenburg Library's Black Lives Matter program initiative. Learn  more about the program and corresponding events here.

As a Black woman, Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris embodies so much that is familiar to me and in which I take great pride. To begin, she is a graduate of Howard University – “The Mecca” of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) as it is known in the Black community. It was there as an undergraduate that she pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA), the nation’s first historically Black sorority, also founded on Howard’s campus. Upon graduation, she went on to earn her law degree to become an accomplished attorney with many notable achievements including serving as Attorney General of California and a US Senator.

Kamala Harris has been the first to do many things, and that list of firsts will get notably longer when she takes office as Vice President of the United States next week. During the pursuit of her Senate seat, her candidacy for President and later as running mate to President-elect Joe Biden, Kamala Harris has consistently embraced her blackness. She proudly wears sweatshirts from her alma mater and speaks fondly of her days as a student. She has expanded the familiarity with and showcased the reach of the Divine Nine (historically Black sororities and fraternities) in a way never seen before, and regularly wears her AKA pearls. I too am a graduate of Howard, was initiated into the Alpha Chapter of AKA, and a licensed attorney – never before has a man or woman in a position of such power and success had a background that so closely mirrored my own. 

When I met Kamala at a fundraiser in Charlotte in the fall of 2019, we briefly connected over our shared experiences as Howard graduates and sorority sisters. The feeling of those shared bonds was unparalleled. Many women like me could relate when then Senator Harris was repeatedly interrupted by Vice President Pence during the Vice Presidential Debate last October. The moderator didn’t play an active role in ensuring that Senator Harris was given equal time to speak or respond to questions. In that moment, Kamala Harris modeled how to gracefully, yet firmly, serve as your own advocate and command the attention and respect that you deserve - “I’m speaking.” With her words and actions Kamala encouraged us to be confident that what we have to say deserves to be heard and reminded us that we have worked to be at the proverbial table. Therefore, we cannot let our opportunity to contribute to these important conversations pass us by. She modeled how we as women must use our voices to be our own advocate. As a young executive who has been talked over and had my comments fall on deaf ears only to be restated with highest regard when echoed by someone else, I admire and appreciate Harris’ calm and collected manner at all times. She has inspired me to let my voice be heard with confidence and boldness. We all must start somewhere. While our voices may initially shake our confidence will grow each time we speak.  

On Saturday, November 7, 2020 during her speech at the Biden-Harris victory celebration, Vice President-Elect Harris stated, “Every little girl that’s watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities.” As the mother of a young Black girl, I am encouraged by the possibilities that my daughter will grow up having as norms. It is one thing to be told you can be anything when you grow up —however, it is all that more powerful to have an example of someone who looks like you having already archived your heart’s desire. Many others came before Kamala Harris, each doing a part in overcoming obstacles that helped pave her way. While she is the first Black woman to reach the White House as Vice President, she has made it clear that she does not intend to be the last. 

As she continues to blaze trails, Kamala Harris has remained true to herself and used her voice to be an advocate for many while encouraging and bringing others along with her as she reaches higher heights.  While I’m not a little girl anymore, I am not ashamed to admit that I too am encouraged by Kamala’s achievements, the advancements that our country continues to make and the possibilities that lie ahead.

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This blog was written by Tamra Berry. Tamra is a Human Resources Executive in financial services. She and her husband, Akadius, reside in Charlotte’s Historic West End with their daughter, Zora, and beloved dog, Jackson.