By Ahmad Goree
Texas Metro News
Photos Credit: Ahmad Goree
DALLAS- Vice President Kamala Harris had a clear message for her sorority sisters as she addressed more than 20,000 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc (AKA) members at The Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on Wednesday morning.
As the 2024 presidential election continues to heat up, especially after the last debate between President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump, Harris touched on topics such as the circulating conservative plan, “Project 2025.”
“Trump advisors have created a 900-page blueprint of their agenda for the second term,” said Harris. “They call it ‘Project 2025.’ It includes a plan to cut Social Security, to repeal our $35 cap on insulin, to eliminate the Department of Education and end programs like Head Start.”
The vice president delivered the keynote address at the seven-day Boule, featuring record-breaking moments for Alpha Kappa Alpha as the 116-year organization entered the Guinness Book of World Records with a service project, infused millions into the economy, and inducted three honorary members.
Harris was initiated into AKA in 1986 as an undergraduate student at Howard University, where the sorority was founded. She opened her speech by recognizing the women who were initiated with her (her line sisters).
“To my line sisters, the 38 Jewels of Iridescent Splendor, you are such an incredible part of my journey and I love you guys. Thank you for being here.”
Harris went on to discuss the impact of Hurricane Beryl on Texas.
“Our hearts, of course, are with the millions of Texans who are facing the devastating impact of the storm and all those who lost loved ones and the first responders who have worked around the clock to keep people safe and the line crews, who are working as fast as possible to restore power. President Biden has approved a major disaster declaration. And we will continue to stand with the people of Texas as we rebuild and recover.”
She closed her speech with a charge to the members to get out and mobilize.
“In this moment, once again, our nation is counting on the leaders in this room to guide us forward; to energize, organize, and mobilize; to register folks to vote; and to get them to the polls in November,” said the Vice President. “Because we know, when we organize, mountains move. When we mobilize, nations change. And when we vote, we make history.”
As the Vice President left the stage, the crowd of AKAs shouted, “four more years!”
Also attending the event was renowned national journalist, Roland S. Martin, who is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity, Inc. and the National Association of Black Journalists and Society of Black Journalists Hall of Famer.
When asked by Texas Metro News why it is important for the Biden-Harris Administration to engage the Divine Nine (D9), which includes eight other Black Greek Letter organizations, Martin said, “Well first, what you have is your international, national, regional, state, and local organizations. That’s called ‘infrastructure.’ So, when you have that kind of infrastructure, then you’re able to utilize the organization. So that’s what you have to have.”
Martin further touched on the importance of D9 members getting out to vote.
“Well again, it’s all about their power, their voting power. And so, you got about two million members; now you have an opportunity for them to be able to impact in the critical states.”
The trip to Dallas was part of Harris’ summer engagements that included speaking at the Essence Festival in New Orleans and she’ll travel to Indianapolis to speak at the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated’s 2024 Boule, which convenes July 23 to 28, 2024.
