Howard University to Host Harris’s Historic Election Night Watch Party: A Full Circle Moment
Vice President Kamala Harris is set to make history once again by choosing her alma mater, Howard University, as her election night headquarters on November 5, 2024. This decision brings her political journey full circle, returning to the institution that helped shape her into the leader she is today.
Multiple sources close to the campaign have confirmed that the Democratic presidential nominee will spend this pivotal evening at the prestigious historically Black university in Washington, D.C. The campaign is eyeing the iconic Quad as the potential venue, though final location details are still being finalized.
The Choice Carries Deep Symbolism
Harris’s selection of Howard University isn’t just a practical decision – it’s deeply personal and historically significant. As a proud 1986 graduate and member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) sorority, Harris has repeatedly credited “The Mecca,” as Howard is affectionately known, with molding her into the person she is today.
In a recent letter to The Hilltop, Howard’s student newspaper, Harris wrote, “I recognize my time at Howard shaped me into the person I am today. At Howard, we learn that we have the capacity to be great and also that we responsibility to work hard to live up to that potential each day.”
A Night of Potential History
The stakes couldn’t be higher for this election night. If successful, Harris would break multiple barriers, becoming:
- The first woman elected president of the United States
- The first graduate of a historically Black college to hold the nation’s highest office
Campaign Preparations in Full Swing
The Harris campaign is preparing for various scenarios on election night. Sources say the team has plans in place for:
- The possibility of delayed results spanning several days
- Multiple addresses to the nation if needed
- Strategic responses to any premature victory declarations
The announcement of Howard University as the election night venue comes as Harris prepares to address more than 50,000 supporters on the Ellipse near the White House. This speech is expected to call on Americans to “turn the page” on her Republican rival, former President Donald Trump.
Howard’s Historic Role
Founded in 1867 shortly after the Civil War, Howard University, often called the “Black Harvard,” has been a cornerstone of Black education in America. As one of the nation’s premier historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), it has educated thousands of African-American leaders and continues to be a powerful force in shaping American society.
The Other Side
Meanwhile, Trump’s campaign has announced their election night watch party will be held at a convention center in West Palm Beach, Florida, near one of his resorts, though his personal plans for the evening haven’t been disclosed.
Looking Ahead
As November 5 approaches, all eyes will be on Howard University’s campus, where Harris could either make history as the first woman to win the White House or see her presidential bid come to an end.
Either way, her choice to return to her alma mater for this momentous occasion highlights the enduring influence of HBCUs in American politics and the special place Howard University holds in Harris’s journey from student to potential president.
The selection of Howard University as her election night venue reinforces Harris’s commitment to her roots and the institutions that shaped her, while potentially setting the stage for one of the most significant moments in American political history.
Table of Contents