By Jeremy Allen, Executive Editor, and Ebony JJ Curry, Senior Reporter
Perhaps the two most powerful Black women in America – Vice President Kamala Harris and media mogul Oprah Winfrey – came together last week for a groundbreaking event and a call to Unite for America.
In person, there were 400 people gathered at a remote studio in Farmington Hills. Virtually, hundreds of thousands of citizens and celebrities tuned in to watch Oprah conduct one of her classic interviews with the vice president and presidential hopeful about her campaign and her plans to tackle issues including inflation, immigration, reproductive rights, and gun control, among other major issues that will determine the outcome of the Nov. 5, 2024, presidential election. Oprah said Harris “has unleashed a unifying force unlike anything we’ve seen in politics in a long time.”
It was an event where Vice President Harris was perhaps as open as she has ever been about her stance on some of the most polarizing campaign issues. There was even a moment where she, according to her, might have been too candid.
“If somebody breaks in my house, they’re getting shot,” she said, laughing. “I probably should not have said that. My staff will deal with that later.” This came a moment before a local mother and her daughter shared a tragic moment about a recent school shooting where the daughter had been shot twice by a fellow student.
Oprah called upon 15-year-old Natalie Griffith — an Apalachee High School student who was shot during a shooting on campus earlier this month. When Winfrey asked her where Griffith shot, she pointed to the bandages covering her shoulder and wrist. Her mother Marilda talked about the phone call she got at telling her about the shooting in real time. Fighting through tears, Marilda said no parent should have to experience what she did.
Harris talked about how she’s a proponent of the Second Amendment, but she’s also for more stringent and sensible gun laws.
Celebrities including Tracee Ellis Ross, Meryl Streep, Chris Rock, and Julia Roberts chimed in virtually to tell why they support Harris and why Harris is the candidate America needs now.
When Streep became the center of attention, she opened by stating: “Oh hello President Harris. Oops!” to which Harris replied, “Forty-seven days.”
The conversation also touched on Harris’s transformation from President Joe Biden’s running mate to presidential candidate. She expressed a sense of purpose and responsibility, feeling called to step up and lead.
Interestingly, there was some controversy surrounding the event, with some claiming Harris used a teleprompter during the interview. However, this was quickly debunked, with many pointing out that the teleprompter was actually for Oprah.
All-in-all, the interview was sparked by the energy of more than 140 pro-Harris grassroot campaigns ranking from Win with Black Women, White Dudes for Harris, Black Men for Harris, and other niche groups who began popping up in July after President Biden endorsed Harris and announced that he would not see re-election. The interview, and the moment, was about Black women leading a movement. The focus was on progress, unity, and power. They weren’t just supporting a candidate—they were shifting the future of politics.
The rally streamed across platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitch, reaching millions. But the real heart of the night was what happened afterward, in Farmington Hills.
The Meridian in Farmington Hills became the place where history was marked. Elected officials, grassroots organizers, and community members stood together. They were not there just to celebrate. They gathered to reflect on the work they had done and the work still ahead. The room was filled with passionate supporters, but there was something more—a deep understanding that they were part of something bigger.
Jotaka Eaddy, the founder of Win With Black Women, and Regina Wallace-Jones, CEO of Act Blue, were among the key voices in the room. They reminded everyone present of the power of collective action, the importance of standing together, and the unique strength of Black women. Their message was not one of hope alone but one of commitment. They knew the road had been long and that it would continue, but their leadership in this moment spoke volumes about what Black women can accomplish when they stand together.
And it wasn’t just Black women. The movement included a broad range of support. Organizations like Latinas for Harris, South Asians for Harris, White Women: Answer the Call, and Win With Black Men had all played pivotal roles in this campaign. This coalition was diverse, and its strength lay in its inclusivity. The voices in that room were voices that represented the real America—an America that is plural, complex, and, at its best, unified.
Oprah Winfrey’s surprise appearance at the reception, alongside the founder of Win With Black Women, brought a sense of intimacy to the already electrified space. She is a figure who carries both cultural and personal significance for many, and her presence was a reminder of the importance of this moment—not just for Kamala Harris, but for the
movement at large. As they took the stage, the room erupted into applause, a collective recognition of the hard work, dedication, and vision that had brought them all together.
“We wouldn’t be here without the idea of solidarity,” shared Winfrey. “I want to thank every Black woman who is a part of Win With Black Women. You’ve been making the call for years. Ya’ll been here. And then to open the door and extend it to all of you who are here, like the Cat Ladies for Harris. We’ve done the things that the country says can’t be done, we have proven them wrong and have proven ourselves very right.”
Throughout the night, there was joy, there was dancing, and there was music. But more than that, there was reflection. People shared stories of the work they’d been doing since that July call. They spoke of the challenges they’d faced and the triumphs they’d experienced. But they also spoke of the future—of the work still to be done, the communities still to be reached, the people still to be mobilized.
This wasn’t a moment of blind optimism. It was a moment of clear-eyed understanding that change is hard, that progress is not linear, and that the fight for justice is ongoing. But it was also a moment of pride. The people in that room had been part of a movement that had already achieved so much. They had mobilized communities, brought people together, and, most importantly, they had demonstrated the power of Black women’s leadership.
“Just 47 days, until we’ll be saying President,” noted Winfrey. “But I loved when the Vice President, said that we are all here unified as a group, and because we are all here unified as a group, we all look like what America is.”
The virtual rally earlier in the evening had set the tone for this moment. Kamala Harris spoke to millions of people across the country, reminding them of the stakes in the upcoming election. She didn’t need to convince anyone in that room—they were already deeply invested in her campaign. But her words reinforced their commitment. They were ready to take this fight all the way to the White House, and they knew that they had the power to do it.
Groups like Win With the Black Church and Republicans for Harris reminded everyone that this movement wasn’t monolithic. This moment was broad, it was inclusive, and it was powerful. The diversity of the organizations that came together for this night underscored the strength of Harris’s campaign.
This movement has been driven by Black women, but it has embraced everyone who shares the vision of a more equitable future. From caregivers to rural Americans, from young activists to seasoned organizers, this coalition is as wide-ranging as it is strong. And that strength was on full display in Farmington Hills.
As the night wound down, there was a palpable sense of determination in the room. People weren’t just celebrating what they had accomplished. They were preparing for what’s next. The upcoming election will be one of the most consequential in modern history, and everyone in that room knew it. But they also knew they had the tools, the resources, and the power to make a difference.
Kamala Harris’s campaign has been historic from the start, but it’s more than that. It’s a campaign that represents the possibility of real, meaningful change. It’s a campaign that is fueled by people who believe that this country can be better—that it must be better. And it’s a campaign that has been lifted by the tireless work of Black women, whose leadership, vision, and strength have pushed it forward.
The “Celebration of Unity” reception was a moment to reflect on all of that. It was a night of joy, yes, but it was also a night of purpose. It was a reminder of the power of collective action, of the strength that comes from standing together, and of the deep belief that justice is worth fighting for.
The night closed, but the work continued. And with this coalition behind her, Kamala Harris’s path to the White House feels more possible than ever. The road ahead may be long, but the people in that room were ready. They had been working for this moment for months, and they weren’t stopping now.
As Black women have always known, progress doesn’t come easily, but it does come. And when it does, it’s because of movements like this one—movements built on unity, strength, and the belief that a better future is possible. The “Celebration of Unity” wasn’t just a moment. It was a movement. And that movement is red hot with just over a month to go until the nation chooses its next president.
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