Kamala Harris embraces AKA roots
WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Vice President Kamala Harris is vying to be the first Black woman president. She would also be the first member of any historically black fraternity or sorority to hold the position.
After red, white and blue -- pink and green might be Vice President Kamala Harris’s favorite color combo because of her affiliation with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, or AKA for short.
Harris graduated from Howard University in Washington D.C. in 1986 with a degree and an international web of sisters – many of whom support her to this day.
“It’s an exciting time to have an HBCU grad,” said Elicia Pegues Spearman, who works for AKA.
Spearman said Harris would be the first AKA to be President, but Black excellence is nothing new for the sisters of Alpha Kappa Alpha.
“We keep trying to achieve and strive for excellence,” Spearman said.
It’s not just the AKA’s that are supporting Harris – the Divine Nine, a group of historically black fraternities and sororities, are supporting efforts for all Americans to vote.
“What we really care about is getting out the vote, voter registration, voter education, voter empowerment,” Spearman said. “There are people who could not vote, and it’s important for all of us to come together.”
George Washington University professor Peter Loge said Black voters are coveted by both Democrats and Republicans.
“Representation matters,” Loge said. “You are going to have voters younger, women, people from Indian Americans, African-Americans looking and saying ‘here’s somebody who looks like me, sounds like me.”
Spearman said she believes Harris’ candidacy is important for younger generations to see.
“This is exciting to see, a women candidate who can inspire other little girls to believe ‘I can one day run the United States of America,’” Spearman said.
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