As political uncertainty intensifies in the U.S., Black women in the entertainment industry have stepped up to leverage their influence in support of Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 presidential campaign.
The movement, spearheaded by political organizer Evan Seymour, began immediately after President Joe Biden stepped down, marking a pivotal shift in the upcoming election.
The Birth of a Movement
Seymour, who was working on Apple TV+’s The Big Cigar, a series about Black Panther Party founder Huey P. Newton, quickly pivoted from Hollywood to activism.
What started as a WhatsApp chat with 10 Black women in entertainment has blossomed into “Black Women in Entertainment for Kamala” (BWIE4Kamala), a 500-member strong collective dedicated to raising funds, educating voters, and mobilizing support for Harris.
In August alone, Harris’s campaign raised $361 million, far surpassing her opponents, including former President Donald Trump.
A Legacy of Activism
Seymour’s commitment to activism is deeply rooted in her time at Spelman College, where she first began organizing.
Although leaving her job in Hollywood was a tough decision, her spiritual drive and belief in the collective power of Black women led her to take the leap.
Inspired by initiatives like “Win With Black Women” and “White Women: Answer the Call,” BWIE4Kamala has also linked arms with members of the Divine Nine, the historically Black sororities and fraternities.
Hollywood’s Role in Politics
The involvement of prominent actresses such as Yvette Nicole Brown and Erika Alexander has helped amplify the movement. Brown, known for her roles in Community and The Mayor, views her activism not as a risk, but as a duty.
Despite the potential impact on her career, she feels obligated to speak out on issues like voting rights, affirmative action, and women’s rights. Brown states:
“If you are on a red carpet and there’s a spotlight on you, you’re supposed to shine that light back on things that matter.”
Alexander, a producer of the John Lewis documentary Good Trouble, echoes this sentiment. Having previously worked on Hillary Clinton’s campaign, she believes that Harris represents a profound shift in politics, likening her candidacy to groundbreaking moments in other countries that have seen women take power.
Alexander credits the movement’s strength to the deep bonds of “feminism” that tie the group together, saying:
“A woman is different; that’s a huge shift in how we approach the world.”
The Urgency and Risks
While Hollywood’s open political participation can sometimes come at a cost, as it can affect marketability, these women are undeterred. BWIE4Kamala’s goal is not just to prevent a Trump return to the White House but to advocate for a future where Black women’s voices and political power are at the forefront of America’s leadership.
The collective is prepared to risk their personal careers in the entertainment industry to ensure Harris secures her place in history.
As the 2024 election campaign heats up, the powerful coalition of Black women in entertainment is proving to be a significant force in shaping the future of American politics.
