When newly crowned Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris announced her candidacy roughly 100 days before the November election, she knew she could rely on a secret superpower: more than two million members of Black sororities and fraternities who quietly wield massive power to deliver her both money and votes.
Harris, a member of the historically Black Alpha Kappa Alpha since her time at Howard University, tapped into that power on one of her first campaign stops as a presidential candidate. Appearing in a cream-suit and heels, she drew rapturous applause while speaking to members of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority at their annual Grand Boulé convention in Indianapolis.
Black Greek life doesn’t end after collegiate community service events, boisterous house parties, and the sweet freedom of graduation. Behind the salmon pink and kelly green signage of Harris’ sorority is a pearl necklace-wearing behemoth of a voter mobilization beast—and I would know.