Harris at NABJ forum/ Kamala Harris Black voter outreach/ Harris Philadelphia NABJ/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Vice President Kamala Harris is set to participate in a forum organized by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia, following her absence from the group’s summer convention in Chicago. The forum comes as both Harris and her Republican rival, Donald Trump, vie for the support of Black voters in the pivotal 2024 election. Harris will be interviewed by journalists from TheGrio, Politico, and WHYY-FM.
Kamala Harris Prepares for Philadelphia NABJ Forum After Skipping Summer Convention Quick Looks:
- Kamala Harris to attend NABJ forum in Philadelphia after missing the summer convention due to a scheduling conflict.
- Donald Trump’s earlier appearance at the NABJ event stirred controversy over comments regarding Harris’ racial identity.
- Harris aims to appeal to Black voters, a critical demographic in the 2024 election, especially in key battleground states like Pennsylvania.
- The interview will cover key issues important to Black voters, though Harris has previously declined to offer specifics on some policies.
Kamala Harris Set for Key Interview at National Black Journalists Forum
Deep Look:
Vice President Kamala Harris is scheduled to participate in a key forum organized by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) in Philadelphia on Tuesday, following her absence from the group’s summer convention in Chicago. Harris had initially missed the event due to what her team described as a scheduling conflict, which occurred just over a week after President Joe Biden unexpectedly withdrew from the 2024 presidential race.
The Philadelphia forum holds significance as Harris continues her efforts to secure support from Black voters—a crucial demographic in her campaign. Both she and her Republican opponent, Donald Trump, have been making concerted efforts to win over this voter base ahead of the November 2024 election. Black voters, who are traditionally loyal to the Democratic Party, played a decisive role in the 2020 election, with Biden securing 92% of their votes compared to Trump’s 8%, according to Pew Research Center data.
Trump’s appearance at the NABJ convention in July sparked controversy when he questioned Harris’ racial identity and clashed with one of the moderators over what he felt was an unfair line of questioning. The forum Harris will attend is seen as an opportunity for her to engage directly with Black journalists and voters, addressing concerns and presenting her vision for the future.
The NABJ forum will feature a panel of three journalists who will interview Harris—similar to Trump’s earlier session. Reporters from TheGrio, Politico, and WHYY-FM, a public radio station based in Philadelphia, will pose questions covering a range of topics important to the Black community. These include issues related to education, the economy, and criminal justice—areas where many Black voters have expressed concern and a desire for clarity from Harris.
Despite being a long-standing advocate for social justice and civil rights, Harris has faced some criticism for not providing detailed policy positions on certain issues during her campaign. Many within the Black community are particularly interested in hearing more about her plans for criminal justice reform, education, and economic empowerment—areas that are crucial to their daily lives.
Pennsylvania, the state where the forum is taking place, is expected to play a pivotal role in the upcoming election. Many forecasters consider it a must-win state for both parties in the Electoral College. Harris’ appearance at the forum, coupled with her outreach to Black voters, could be critical in determining the direction of her campaign in this key battleground state.
As the race intensifies, Harris’ team is hoping that this direct engagement with Black journalists and voters will bolster her connection with the community and improve her standing as the Democratic candidate.
