Kamala Harris/ Stevie Wonder/ Georgia election/ Black church/ early voting/ Souls to the Polls/ Newslooks/ JONESBORO/ Ga./ J. Mansour./ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris visited two Georgia churches, urging Black congregants to vote in the upcoming election. Joined by music legend Stevie Wonder, who performed “Redemption Song,” Harris emphasized kindness and unity, contrasting her message with divisive politics. The visit was part of the “Souls to the Polls” initiative, encouraging early voting across battleground states.
Harris and Stevie Wonder Rally Georgia Voters: Quick Looks
- Vice President Kamala Harris visited Atlanta-area churches as part of the “Souls to the Polls” initiative, encouraging early voting.
- Music icon Stevie Wonder joined Harris, performing songs and urging churchgoers to make their voices heard at the polls.
- Harris focused on themes of kindness, community, and lifting others, indirectly contrasting her message with political divisiveness.
- Early voting is already underway in Georgia, with more than 310,000 votes cast on the first day.
- Harris celebrated her 60th birthday with a special performance by Stevie Wonder, who led the crowd in a rendition of “Happy Birthday.”
Harris and Stevie Wonder Urge Georgia Voters to Head to the Polls
Deep Look:
On Sunday, Vice President Kamala Harris rallied Black churchgoers in Georgia, urging them to vote in the upcoming election. As part of the nationwide “Souls to the Polls” effort, Harris visited two Atlanta-area churches to connect with congregants and encourage early voting. She was joined by legendary musician Stevie Wonder, who energized the crowd with a stirring performance of Bob Marley’s “Redemption Song” and led a birthday serenade for the vice president, who turned 60.
“Souls to the Polls,” a long-standing initiative, dates back to the Civil Rights Movement and continues to be a crucial part of Black voter mobilization, particularly in Georgia. The effort focuses on getting church congregations involved in early voting and countering voter suppression, a challenge that has persisted since the Jim Crow era. In both churches, buses were provided to take congregants directly to early polling stations following the services.
Harris delivered a unifying message, calling for kindness, compassion, and support for one another, while implicitly contrasting these values with former President Donald Trump’s confrontational style. “Our strength is not based on who we beat down,” she told the congregation at Divine Faith Ministries International in Jonesboro. “Our strength is based on who we lift up. And that spirit is very much at stake in these next 16 days.”
Stevie Wonder amplified Harris’ message with his music and his call to action, telling the crowd, “We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow.” After leading the crowd in “Happy Birthday,” Wonder continued to inspire with a short rendition of “Higher Ground.” Harris, visibly moved, called the performance a highlight of her life.
Pastor Donald Battle of Divine Faith Ministries expressed optimism about Harris’ chances in the state, stating, “Georgia’s gonna be the state that turns it for the vice president.” The comment emphasized Georgia’s importance as a battleground state in the upcoming election, with early voting numbers already exceeding those from 2020.
At her first stop, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Stonecrest, Pastor Jamal Bryant hailed Harris as “an American hero” and “the voice of the future,” while also hinting at the possibility of America electing its first female president. “When Black women roll up their sleeves, then society has got to change,” Bryant declared, energizing the congregation.
Throughout her speeches, Harris drew on biblical themes, referencing scripture to emphasize the need to love one’s neighbor and uplift communities. She also highlighted the role of leadership in building unity rather than sowing division. Her appeal to voters, particularly in the Black community, centered on the importance of collective strength and solidarity, especially during a contentious election season.
In addition to Harris’ appearances, “Souls to the Polls” buses were actively transporting congregants to early polling locations, underscoring the importance of making voting accessible and encouraging participation in the electoral process. Early voting began in Georgia last Tuesday, with a record-breaking 310,000 voters casting ballots on the first day.
A Historic Tradition of Mobilizing Voters
“Souls to the Polls” has deep roots in America’s civil rights history. One of its early inspirations, the Rev. George Lee, a Black entrepreneur in Mississippi, was murdered by white supremacists in 1955 after helping nearly 100 Black residents register to vote. His legacy, along with other figures of the movement, continues to inspire efforts to mobilize Black voters, ensuring their voices are heard in elections.
This tradition, combined with Harris’ focus on the Black church as a hub for civic engagement, reflects the critical role of faith communities in promoting voter turnout, particularly in battleground states like Georgia.
Stevie Wonder’s Musical Support
Stevie Wonder’s involvement gave the event a special resonance, as his presence helped bridge the gap between faith, culture, and politics. Leading the crowd in his unique version of “Happy Birthday,” Wonder brought a sense of joy and celebration to the event, but he also delivered a serious message: the need to get out and vote.
For Harris, the birthday serenade was a personal highlight, as she expressed her admiration for Wonder, calling it a major milestone in her life. Wonder, in turn, emphasized the importance of voting, saying, “We’re going to make the difference between yesterday and tomorrow.”
Looking Forward
As the clock ticks down to Election Day, Harris is racing to secure votes and maintain momentum. On Monday, she will join former Republican U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney to campaign in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, where their bipartisan message will aim to connect with undecided voters.
