How Greek Life and HBCUs shaped Kamala Harris and a Generation of Black Students

How Greek Life and HBCUs shaped Kamala Harris and a Generation of Black Students

The Vice President came of age inside collegiate institutions that have shaped Black, middle-class culture for generations. She says they imprinted deeply upon her as well.

Kamala Harris's story is remarkable in numerous ways. If elected president, she’ll be the first coming from several life experiences, including one that many Black commentators have noticed: She’d be the first president who’s a graduate of an HBCU, and a member of one of the “Divine Nine” Black sororities and fraternities. She called her time at Howard University, and her membership in the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, an important part of her journey. So what can we learn about the would-be president by looking at those institutions?

In this episode, host Kai Wright discusses who the “Divine Nine” are and why they were created with Lawrence Ross, and then chats with historian Dr. Natalie Hopkinson. Political analyst Dr. Christina Greer gives us cultural context on how HBCUs like Howard shaped not only Harris, but a whole generation of Black university students. She talks about the influence of Black Greek life, and the nuanced politics of the 1980s.

Every summer we crowdsource a Spotify playlist with our listeners built around a particular theme. This year, for the third edition of our seasonal soundtrack, we are asking you to contribute a song that represents your political identity or political priorities in 2024.

See how the collection is shaping up so far

, and add yours to the mix by leaving a message at 844-745-8255. Be sure to share your first name, where you’re calling from and a little bit about what the song represents for you in the context of the 2024 election.

Tell us what you think. We're @noteswithkai on Instagram and X (Twitter). Email us at notes@wnyc.org. Send us a voice message by recording yourself on your phone and emailing us, or record one here.

Notes from America airs live on Sundays at 6 p.m. ET. The podcast episodes are lightly edited from our live broadcasts.

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Amber Ruffin Talks ‘The Wiz’ Revival, Writing for ‘Late Night,’ and Representation in Comedy

Amber Ruffin Talks ‘The Wiz’ Revival, Writing for ‘Late Night,’ and Representation in Comedy

Amber Ruffin is a comedy phenom. She’s spent a decade writing and performing on “Late Night with Seth Meyers,” and hosted her own show, “The Amber Ruffin Show.” She’s a co-author of bestselling books ...

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Voter Vibe Check: Why Trump Has More Support from Black Voters Than Ever

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A February 2024 New York Times/Siena College poll reveals as many as 23 percent of Black respondents said they would vote for Trump if the election were held right then. The numbers are strikingly hig...

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Comedian Bassem Youssef’s Honest Reflection on Fame, the Pressure of Representation, and What it Means to be American

Comedian Bassem Youssef’s Honest Reflection on Fame, the Pressure of Representation, and What it Means to be American

Egyptian American satirist and comedian Bassem Youssef was once known as “The Jon Stewart of Egypt,” after gaining notoriety for his criticism of the government during the 2011 Egyptian revolution. Bu...

1 Huhti 202450min

David Alan Grier Is Still Hitting Career Highs, More Than 40 Years After His Debut

David Alan Grier Is Still Hitting Career Highs, More Than 40 Years After His Debut

David Alan Grier has been a mainstay on TV, Broadway and film since his initial acting debut in the acclaimed Broadway show “The First,” about Jackie Robinson’s life and legacy. That role, in 1981, ea...

25 Maalis 202452min

Voter Vibe Check: Democratic Voters Are Torn Over Biden’s Gaza Policy

Voter Vibe Check: Democratic Voters Are Torn Over Biden’s Gaza Policy

A movement is emerging among registered Democrats across the U.S. In Minnesota and Michigan, collectively, more than 150,000 voters chose “uncommitted” rather than selecting Joe Biden on their primary...

18 Maalis 202450min

Kai Wright Presents Blindspot Episode 5: What If I Could Have Grown Old With My Brother?

Kai Wright Presents Blindspot Episode 5: What If I Could Have Grown Old With My Brother?

In 1985, doctors at a methadone clinic in the South Bronx made the harrowing discovery: 50 percent of their patients had HIV. Three years later, in the same neighborhood, a pair of epidemiologists est...

15 Maalis 202440min

How Actor Danielle Brooks 'Already Won' Before The Oscars

How Actor Danielle Brooks 'Already Won' Before The Oscars

Danielle Brooks, nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress following her masterful portrayal of Sofia in the 2023 remake of “The Color Purple,” discusses her journey to the Oscars wit...

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Kai Wright Presents Blindspot Episode 4: Respectability Politics and the AIDS Crisis

Kai Wright Presents Blindspot Episode 4: Respectability Politics and the AIDS Crisis

By 1986, almost 40 percent of people diagnosed with AIDS in the United States were either Black or Latino. As the full contours of the crisis became apparent, a group of Black gay men began to organiz...

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