Former Vice President Kamala Harris is calling on the Democratic Party to do more to prioritize issues affecting Black women, saying the party has “taken Black women for granted.”
In a candid conversation on Storehouse & Friends, a discussion series hosted by entrepreneur Tamira Chapman, Harris reflected on her time in office and the challenges of being the first Black woman to serve as vice president. The interview coincided with the release of her new book, 107 Days, which recounts her historic tenure and campaign.
“I think the Democratic Party has taken Black women for granted,” Harris said. “There are very specific issues that impact Black women in America that should be some of the highest priorities. I made them priorities when I was vice president, such as Black maternal mortality.”
Harris noted that Black women have long been the backbone of the Democratic coalition but often see their needs sidelined in national policy debates. She cited the rollback of certain federal research programs as an example of how those priorities have shifted. “The current administration has cut funding for scientific research if it has the word ‘woman’ or ‘Black’ in it,” Harris said.
Reflecting on her time in the White House, Harris spoke about the pressure of being “the first” and the scrutiny that came with it. “I’m never going to shy away from who I am,” she said. “I’m never going to feel burdened that, because of who I am in terms of my race and my gender, that I should pretend not to be.”
Despite the challenges, Harris expressed optimism about the country’s future and encouraged her supporters to remain hopeful and engaged. “There was an incredible amount of optimism and a sense of possibilities and, dare I say, joy,” she said. “We cannot let any one election or individual dampen that light that we all carry.”
Harris’s remarks come as Democrats begin reflecting on their future direction heading into 2026 and beyond—particularly how to better engage and support the voters who have long powered their success.
