The recent Win With Black Women Zoom call on July 21 made history by raising over $1.5 million to support Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy as the Democratic presidential nominee. Among the 44,000 participants was writer and producer Janine Sherman Barrois, a member of the organization since its inception in August 2020. Barrois has been following Harris’ career since attending a fundraiser for her successful election as California attorney general in 2010. She emphasizes the urgency of securing Harris’ political trajectory in the current political climate.
Barrois, along with other prominent figures in the entertainment industry, believes that the upcoming 2024 Democratic National Convention in Chicago will further bolster support for Harris. Celebrities like Kerry Washington, Mindy Kaling, Tony Goldwyn, and Ana Navarro have been announced as nightly hosts for the event. Win With Black Women will also host a Sisterhood Lounge at the convention in partnership with other Black women-led organizations, featuring talks with various Black women government leaders.
The momentum from the Win With Black Women Zoom call has inspired individuals like Evan Seymour Bain to create grassroots initiatives within the entertainment industry. Bain started a WhatsApp group called Black Women in Entertainment for Kamala (BWIE4Kamala), which has quickly grown to over 500 members. The group focuses on voter engagement, fundraising, and social media campaigns to support Harris’ candidacy.
Actress Jenifer Lewis, a vocal supporter of Harris, emphasizes the importance of engaging Gen-Z and millennial voters. Lewis plans to travel to Historically Black Colleges and Universities in Atlanta to mobilize support for Harris. She believes in giving back and using her platform to encourage voter participation in the upcoming election.
After the convention, Win With Black Women’s grassroots efforts will continue to ramp up, focusing on voter registration and mobilization. Prominent figures in the entertainment industry, like film and television producer Debra Martin Chase, are committed to supporting Harris’ campaign through donor events and fundraising efforts. The collective effort to ensure voter turnout in the upcoming election is crucial, as the race is expected to be closely contested.
In conclusion, the support for Vice President Kamala Harris’ candidacy from the entertainment industry is a testament to the unity and collaboration among diverse groups. The upcoming 2024 Democratic National Convention and grassroots initiatives led by organizations like Win With Black Women highlight the importance of voter engagement and activism in shaping the future of American politics. The dedication and passion of individuals like Janine Sherman Barrois, Evan Seymour Bain, Jenifer Lewis, and Debra Martin Chase demonstrate the power of collective action in driving positive change.
