Kamala Harris: Howard University's Role in Her Ascent to Politics

Kamala Harris, as a young college student, travelled nearly 3 miles from Howard University to the National Mall to protest apartheid in South Africa. In 2017, she returned to her alma mater as a senator to deliver the commencement address. When she received word in July that she would likely be the Democratic presidential nominee, she was wearing her Howard sweatshirt at the vice president's residence.

Howard University's Influence

Howard University, one of the nation's most renowned historically Black colleges, has played a significant role in Harris's journey. The university has produced notable figures like Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and author Toni Morrison. Some at Howard view Harris's rise as vice president as further validation of the school's mission of service. "There's clearly a direct relationship between Howard and its relationship to democracy and the democracy that we envision, one that is practiced in a way that includes all of us," said Melanie Carter, founding director of the Howard University Center for HBCU Research, Leadership and Policy.

Harris's potential election as president would mark her as the first woman and first graduate of a historically Black college to hold that office. Her ascent has shone a positive light on Howard, especially as many HBCUs face financial struggles. "It empowers students to reach farther than what they thought was possible," said Nikkya Taliaferro, a senior at Howard University from Honolulu. She added that even if Harris doesn't win, her impact is unforgettable.

Student and Alumni Perspectives

Stefanie Brown James, a Howard alumna and co-founder of The Collective PAC, which aims to increase Black political representation, believes Harris embodies Howard's values. "At this moment, she is the personification of the leadership, the excellence, the global responsibility to service, that Howard represents," James said. In her 2017 commencement address, Harris mentioned that Howard taught her to reject false choices and guided her towards public service.

In her memoir, Harris wrote about Howard's expectation for students and graduates to take on leadership roles and make an impact on others. Reflecting on her time at Howard in an Instagram post, she wrote, "Along the way, Howard taught me that while you will often find that you're the only one in the room who looks like you or who has had the experiences you've had, you must remember: you are never alone."

Support and Criticism

Earlier this year, Harris welcomed Howard's men's basketball team to the White House as Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champions. She emphasised that investment in HBCUs is an investment "in the strength of our nation for years to come." Despite recent funding influxes, HBCUs have historically struggled financially. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pa., a Howard Law graduate, highlighted Howards' camaraderie and its influence on alumni in politics.

The Howard network is also providing financial and organisational support for Harris's campaign. The Collective PAC used its HU Bison PAC to hold a virtual call with over 4,000 attendees and raised more than $150,000. On campus, Herd for Harris campaigns support her while other student-led groups mobilise students around voting and presidential debates.

Despite broad support on campus, some students challenge Harris over policies like the war in Gaza. "What we expect of Kamala Harris in this election is really derived from the morals that Howard instilled in us," said Courtney McClain, a student senator at Howard who met Harris in 2020. McClain plans to support Harris while holding her accountable.

With November's election approaching, Harris has been busy with campaign travel and preparing for her debate against Republican Donald Trump on Sept. 10 at Howard. She still found time to address Howards' largest incoming first-year class in front of Cramton Auditorium using a bullhorn. She encouraged them by saying they might be running for president someday.

Howard University's influence on Kamala Harris's journey underscores its role in shaping leaders committed to service and democracy. As she seeks higher office, both support and scrutiny from her alma mater reflect its enduring impact on its students and alumni.