Staff Reports
Kamala Harris is set to waltz into Indianapolis this week to deliver the keynote address at the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s biennial convention. Just to clarify, this grand event is not a campaign stop, although it sure feels like a clever way to keep her name in the political spotlight. The timing is rather conspicuous, especially since President Biden just announced he is stepping back from the race. It’s almost as if a pre-planned speech could suddenly become the soft launch for a candidacy with a “strong” new figure at the helm.
The convention kicked off on July 23 and will wrap up by July 28, bringing together around 8,000 sorority sisters from Zeta Phi Beta’s massive network. Founded back in 1920 at Howard University, this predominantly African American sorority boasts over 125,000 members nationwide. With representation in over 875 chapters, the organization clearly knows how to mobilize a crowd, making Harris’ appearance somewhat of a tactical maneuver in securing those vital black voter demographics as the Democratic Party scrambles to hold its base together.
What to know about Zeta Phi Beta Sorority where Harris is speaking today https://t.co/FCK7pwts5s
— CapBlackSafety (@CapBlackSafety) July 24, 2024
In a hilarious twist of fate, although Harris famously pledged with Alpha Kappa Alpha, another sorority in the so-called Divine Nine, she certainly knows her way around the Zeta Phi Beta festivities. One can only imagine the hearty applause she’ll receive as she leans into her past affiliations, showcasing her ability to juggle sorority relationships like a seasoned politician—not that anyone is surprised by her strategic relationship management.
While none of the organizations within the National Pan-Hellenic Council can officially endorse Harris for president without risking a wave of repercussions, this is where the lines blur. After Biden’s abrupt exit and his endorsement of Harris, the Divine Nine has mobilized to encourage civic engagement in their communities—like some sort of voter registration super-squad. Picture it: sorority sisters armed with clipboards and charm, ready to transform political apathy into action, all while the Democratic powers that be perspire over their potential plans.
Despite her not being the official successor, Harris is already trying to claim the throne by winning over the majority of delegates just 48 hours post-Biden’s announcement. It seems the Democrats are banking on her performance at this convention to lay the groundwork for a campaign that could use a touch of the real world amidst all the talk of progressive policies. Meanwhile, conservatives might chuckle at the spectacle, keeping a keen eye on the increasingly family-unfriendly atmosphere in a party that could easily be more entertaining than any reality TV show, especially as it now flirts with a fading Biden and the spectacle of Kamala’s sorority spectacle.
