Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of earning the support of Black voters, particularly Black men, during her re-election campaign. She made it clear that the Harris-Walz campaign must work hard to earn the vote of Black men, just as they do with every other voting group in the country. This effort underscores Harris’ history of delivering for Black communities and addressing issues that resonate deeply with this voting bloc.
In a recent sit-down interview with a panel from the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), Harris underscored her approach to engaging Black men, saying, “Black men are like any other voting group. You have to earn their vote.” She dismissed the assumption that any group, particularly Black men, would automatically support her. Instead, she emphasized that her policies, perspectives, and commitment to recognizing the needs of all communities are central to her strategy. Harris made it clear that she intends to serve as a president for all people and is focused on addressing the specific economic challenges facing Black men, particularly around access to capital and wealth-building opportunities.
One of the campaign’s major initiatives, #WinWithBlackMen, has already made an impact. The movement, organized by journalist Roland Martin through Black Star Network, mobilized nearly 20,000 Black men and raised over $1.3 million from 17,000 unique donors in less than 24 hours after Harris launched her campaign. The movement featured speeches from notable figures such as Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, and CNN political analyst Bakari Sellers.
In addition to grassroots efforts, the Harris-Walz team has implemented a targeted advertising campaign focused on the Vice President’s personal story and record of accomplishments. These ads have aired on platforms like The Breakfast Club, The Morning Hustle, Urban One Radio, and popular sporting events in key battleground states. By targeting Black men through various media outlets, the campaign aims to ensure their message reaches this critical group, especially during high-viewership events like the Michigan vs. Texas game and the Falcons vs. Steelers NFL opener.
Economic Empowerment and Opportunity for Black Men
As part of her focus on economic opportunity, Harris explained to NABJ that her work began well before she was at the top of the ticket. She launched an Economic Opportunity Tour aimed specifically at Black men, focusing on increasing access to capital for Black entrepreneurs. Harris acknowledged the barriers many Black entrepreneurs face, saying, “We have so many entrepreneurs in the community who do not have access to capital. They’ve got great ideas, incredible work ethic, and the dream, but don’t have the relationships necessary to succeed.”
To address this, the Biden-Harris administration has committed to tripling the Small Business Administration’s investments in Black-owned businesses and startups. Harris has also pushed to increase the startup tax deduction from $5,000 to $50,000 to help entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground.
Additionally, Harris pointed out her administration’s efforts to close the racial wealth gap by addressing historic inequities in homeownership. She noted that “redlining and biased home appraisals have long stifled the ability of Black families to build generational wealth.” Harris’ work has focused on eliminating these barriers and providing more opportunities for Black men to succeed economically.
On the Ground: Engagement Events Across Battleground States
To further solidify support among Black men, the Harris-Walz campaign has hosted a series of voter engagement events across key battleground states. In Pennsylvania, State Senator Vincent Hughes and Philadelphia Council Member Isaiah Thomas led discussions with Black men about the Vice President’s plans to lower housing costs and increase support for first-time homeowners. Similarly, Georgia has hosted numerous barbershop organizing events and men’s health and wealth conferences to reach Black men on the ground.
In Virginia, the campaign has held a series of barbershop tours, with local leaders like Delegate Michael Feggans and Congressman Bobby Scott joining the conversations. These events, taking place in cities like Norfolk, Richmond, and Virginia Beach, have created opportunities for genuine engagement with Black men in the region. Michigan has also been a key focus, with a variety of barbershop visits, voter social hours, and mixers throughout Detroit, Flint, and Ferndale. Meanwhile, in Wisconsin, events like faith-based coalition rallies and canvassing weekends have aimed to strengthen support among Black men.
As the campaign moves forward, Harris continues to emphasize the importance of economic policies that go beyond reducing unemployment. “It’s not just about employment,” Harris said during the NABJ interview, “The point is, do people have an opportunity to build wealth if that’s what they choose to do?” This perspective, she argues, is key to ensuring that Black men, and all Americans, have the resources they need to thrive.
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