Writing for BET News, The Burton Wire’s founder & editor-in-chief Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. talks to some of the African American community’s most prized members about the election of Senator Kamala Harris as Vice-President of the United States, making her the first woman, African American (Jamaican descent), South Asian (Tamil), HBCU graduate (Howard University) and member of a historically Black Greek Letter organization (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.) to hold the office. Breaking all kinds of barriers on her upward political trajectory, Madam Vice-President-Elect is being lauded for her courage, tenacity, ambition and love of this country. Check out what some of Harris’ colleagues and Sorors have to say:
Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA)
“From the start, Senator Harris has served as an inspiration to not just women, girls, and people of color, but to people all over the world who now see themselves in her and her story. As the first Black woman and South Asian- American to be a major party’s vice-presidential nominee, her achievement is historic and I have no doubt that she will continue to be unapologetic, steadfast, and of course – ambitious, in her work for the people. The truth of the matter is that our nation is at an inflection point and in need of compassionate and dignified leaders. Senator Harris is that and so much more, and I am so very pleased to have supported her in this fight.” —Rep. Maxine Waters
Star Jones (Attorney and Talk Show Host)
“My sister, Kamala Harris, has stepped into history [today].  Everyone knows that Senator Kamala Harris will be the first Black and South Asian woman to be Vice President of the United States.  However, we in the Black community know that Kamala is also the first alum of an HBCU (Howard University), member of the “Divine Nine,” my soror of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and a Black Women’s Friendship/Service Organization (“The Links”) and member of a Black professional organization like the National Bar Association. As vice president of the United States, Kamala will be bringing the entire village of Black Excellence to the table!” —Star Jones(AKA)
Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (D-Ma)
“Kamala’s historic nomination and her historic election is a recognition of the skill, passion, and determination that have made her a trailblazer throughout her career in public service. It is also a testament to the central role that Black women have played in the Democratic Party for generations, and a long-overdue reflection of the contributions they have made to this country. And for the next generation of girls of color, it is a reaffirmation that there is no limit to their ambition, no ceiling on their dreams.” —Rep. Ayanna Pressley
Maisha Y. Land, Creator, Stroll to the Poll Viral Stroll and Video
“Black women have always been pioneers, breakers of ceilings, cutters of paths, inventors of solutions, pavers of futures and bearers of light even in the midst of dimness put in place by those historically more empowered in an attempt to stop us. Kamala Harris becoming the first, Black woman to serve as vice president, means more than a moment in Black history or U.S. history. It represents a moment of light in world history for me; a flame reminding us all that Black women of the world have always been worthy of leading the way and will continue to do so.” — Maisha Y. Land (AKA)
Andrew Gillum, Former Mayor of Tallahassee (FL)
“Vice President-elect Kamala Harris represents the best of who we are as a people. The ancestors are rejoicing as they look down on the progress that has been made—all the while pushing us to go further, fight harder, and to never give up. The battle for justice, equality, and fairness requires that we have inflection points and moments such as these to celebrate our progress. The election of VP-elect Harris now becomes one of those seminal moments in Black and American history that will challenge the generations to follow and to climb even higher.” —Andrew Gillum
To hear what Congressman James Clyburn (D-SC), Congresswoman Val Demings (D-Fla.), Baltimore City State Attorney General Marilyn Mosby (AKA), Georgia 5th Congressional District Congresswoman-elect Nikema Williams (AKA), the Honorable Virgie Rollins and the Reverend Leah Daughtry have to say about Harris’ historic win as part of the Biden 2020 Democratic ticket , then visit BET News.
Follow The Burton Wire on Twitter @TheBurtonWire. Follow Nsenga K. Burton, Ph.D. on Twitter @Ntellectual.Â
