Unshakable Resilience: Kamala Harris Inspires Black Girls to Reach New Heights

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On Thursday, August 22, history was made. When Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination to be President of the United States, it was more than just a political moment; it was a powerful affirmation for Black girls across America. In a time when our stories are being stripped from school libraries, our history and HERstory are being erased from social studies curriculums, and our very identities are under attack, Kamala Harris’s ascent to this moment is nothing short of revolutionary.

For years, we have watched the rise of MAGA politics, where the validity of our natural hair is questioned, our ability to control our own bodies is taken away, our names are deliberately mispronounced, and misogynistic words like “dumb” are casually used to describe the Vice President of the United States. These are not just political moves—they are personal affronts to every Black girl who dares to dream, to speak out, and to stand tall in her truth.

But last night, as Vice President Harris spoke about her journey and the influence of her mother, something shifted. Her words were a powerful reminder that despite the challenges, despite the attempts to silence and diminish us, we are here, and we are powerful.

I remember when I first met Vice President Kamala Harris. It was March 2019, and she was still a Senator from California, running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. I was 16 years old, had just finished my undergraduate degree from Texas Woman’s University, and was getting ready to start law school at SMU Dedman School of Law in the fall. As she traveled the country campaigning, an event brought her to the Dallas, Fort Worth area, and I was asked to introduce her to the crowd. As you can imagine, I was nervous and searched for weeks for the right words to capture what she and her campaign for President meant to Black girls across the nation. As I stood up to address the over 500 people in attendance, I shared my story and emphasized to the audience that Black girls were watching. I told the crowd that Kamala Harris was Black Girl Magic—a phrase that encapsulates the brilliance, strength, and resilience of Black women and girls.

Backstage, before the event began, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with her. When I shared my journey to law school, I could see that she was genuinely moved and proud, just as so many of us feel when we look up to her. But it wasn’t just her reaction that stayed with me—it was how she took the time to connect with me, to listen, and to encourage me in a way that felt deeply personal. She told me never to doubt my ability to overcome any obstacle, and those words have stayed with me ever since. In that moment, Kamala Harris didn’t just speak to me—she spoke to every Black girl who has ever been told that her dreams are too big or her voice too loud. It was a clear demonstration of who Kamala Harris truly is: a leader who understands the significance of her role and the impact she has on the next generation.

Her acceptance speech last night echoed that same message. Kamala Harris’s journey is a testament to what is possible when we refuse to let others define us. She has shown us that we can pursue our wildest dreams, that we can break barriers, and that by doing so, we can change the world.

As Vice President Harris reminded us, “Never let anyone tell you who you are. You show them who you are.” This is a lesson that resonates deeply, particularly at a time when so many are attempting to rewrite our narratives. Kamala Harris’s story is one of resilience and determination, traits she learned from her mother, who, as the Vice President shared, was a “brilliant, five-foot-tall, brown woman with an accent” who taught her daughters to never complain about injustice but to do something about it.

In a time when our rights are being stripped away, when our stories are being erased, Kamala Harris’s nomination is a beacon of hope. It is a reminder that we are not just part of the story—we are the story. And that story is one of resilience, of power, and of unshakable belief in our ability to overcome.

As Black girls across America watched Kamala Harris accept the nomination last night, we were reminded that we are enough—just as we are. We were reminded that our voices matter, that our dreams are valid, and that our futures are bright. We were reminded that we stand on the shoulders of giants, and that because of women like Kamala Harris, we can reach even higher.

Together, we can write the next great chapter in the most extraordinary story ever told—the story of a nation where every Black girl knows that she belongs, that she can achieve anything, and that her voice can change the world. Thank you, Vice President Harris, for showing us that our potential is limitless. Thank you for being a source of inspiration and a reminder that we belong in every room, on every stage, and in every space where decisions are made. Your journey is a powerful example of what it means to be Black Girl Magic, and because of you, we know that we, too, can help write the next great chapter in this extraordinary story.