By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
Just nine days after Vice President Kamala Harris kicked off her historic presidential campaign, #WinWithBlackWomen announced it has raised a total of over $2.5 million for Harris for President, surpassing the halfway point of its $4.7 for 47 Campaign and yet another historic milestone in the group’s mission to unite the nation, uplift the voices of Black women, and transform the American electorate. The reignited Brown Girls Fundraising Collective, which raised a historic $1.5 million in just three hours last week, accounts for $2.4 million of total fundraising.
During its latest virtual gathering on Sunday, July 28, the group shared its plans for the road to the Democratic National Convention, discussed its state-level organizing strategy with 44 state-level meetings having already kicked off, and made space for the collective to celebrate and reflect on the historic moment they helped usher in. The group also launched its text message program so that thousands of Americans can stay informed and take action. This latest call saw continued to draw tens of thousands of participants on Zoom and nearly 10,000 streams on YouTube.
In a stunning show of political support, the meeting saw the participation of over a dozen sitting members of Congress, including Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-At-large), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Barbara Lee (CA-12), Stacey Plaskett (VI-At-large), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and Nikema Williams (GA-05).
“The growth and momentum of this movement just goes to show what Black women and our allies have known all along: we are a political, social, economic, and spiritual force to be reckoned with – and we are just getting started,” stated Jotaka Eaddy, Founder of #WinWithBlackWomen. “Our democracy is at stake, and we continue to rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris so she can take her place as the next President of the United States. The unity demonstrated within a span of just over one week is a clear show of the mountains we can move when we stand together.”
Prominent figures and trailblazers addressing the group and in attendance on Sunday night included: National Council of Negro Women president and chief executive officer Shavon Arline-Bradley; community organizer LaTosha Brown; gospel singer-songwriter Erica Campbell; political mavens Donna Brazile, and Melanie Campbell, Leah Daughtry, and Karen Finney; civil rights legend and former NAACP president Hazel Dukes; television’s Judge Glenda Hatchett; St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones; media pioneer and lawyer Star Jones; hip hop icon MC Lyte; musician Tasha Cobbs Leonard; social justice leader Tamika Mallory; sports executive Cynt Marshall; civic leader Cora Masters Barry; media strategist Rachel Noerdlinger; diversity, equity and inclusion professional Holli Holliday; and inspirational speaker Rev. Dr. Iyanla Vanzant; among many other influential female activists and community leaders. The collective also honored Sonya Massey, who was shot and killed in her home by Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy Sean Grayson on July 6, 2024, in Springfield, Illinois. Sunday was declared a National Day of Mourning to reflect and act upon another senseless killing of a Black individual and show of police brutality.
Eaddy continued: “From now to the Democratic National Convention, to Election Day and beyond, we will continue to organize, fight, and reclaim our democracy to shape a better future not only for Black women, but all Americans.”
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:
- Jotaka Eaddy and Shannon Watts share the movement’s rallying call in a conversation with Jonathan Capehart on MSNBC’s The Last Word.
- Spokeswoman Rachel Noerdlinger joins Rev. Al Sharpton to spotlight the history and future of the movement on MNSBC’s PoliticsNation.
- Vice President Harris’ growing support and #WinWithBlackWomen’s immediate impact showcased by CNN: Black women are quickly joining forces to support Kamala Harris’ presidentital bid. Here’s what that looks like.
- Catch up on how #WinWithBlackWomen made history on Sunday, July 21st with The 19th: Four hours, 44,000 Black women and one Zoom call.
