Members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority in Chicago are celebrating a major achievement after a virtual event on Sunday night raised an impressive $1.5 million for Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. The fundraiser was organized by Win With Black Women, a political advocacy group that helped bring together more than 40,000 AKA members from across the United States.
Cook County Commissioner Donna Miller, who was a year behind Vice President Harris at Howard University, expressed her enthusiasm for the event. “Everybody was excited, thrilled, astonished, and mesmerized about how all this could happen for this woman we all want to support,” said Miller. She represents the county’s 6th district and has been a strong supporter of Harris.
Miller was with other sorority sisters when President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential race and endorsed Harris. “We were already gathering on this historic day, and then we started getting messages about this call. We knew it was going to be historic,” Miller added.
The virtual call has reinvigorated the group of supporters who had worked with Harris in the past. Miller noted, “Now that group is reunited, reinvigorated, and reengaged to make something happen for this election.” The energy and enthusiasm from the call are expected to drive further mobilization efforts among supporters.
Brandy Garris, a member of the Chi Omega Omega chapter of AKA, also participated in the call. She shared her excitement, saying, “I can’t stop smiling. I think this is really shedding light on what’s important to us, and how the world can make a change and a difference. You can do that one step at a time, one call at a time, one Zoom call at a time!”
Alpha Kappa Alpha is one of the nine historically Black Greek-letter organizations that make up the National Panhellenic Council, often referred to as the “Divine Nine.” While these organizations do not officially endorse political candidates, they are coordinating efforts to encourage voter turnout.
Danette Anthony Reed, the International President and CEO of AKA, released a statement highlighting the organization’s focus. “As a non-profit and non-partisan organization, AKA’s primary focus is supporting and advocating for justice and addressing issues without centering on any particular individual. As an organization composed mainly of Black women who have influenced the American democratic landscape, we hold a unique perspective on Vice President Kamala Harris vying for the Democratic nomination in this year’s election. Her candidacy represents significant progress toward diversity and equality, embodying the values and aspirations we have long championed. Seeing a woman rise to such a prominent position fills us with pride and hope for a future where diversity and equality are at the forefront of decision-making.”
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The success of the virtual fundraiser reflects the strong support Harris has among the sorority members and emphasizes their commitment to advancing social justice and equality.
