WASHINGTON, USA: As Kamala Harris embarks on her presidential campaign against Donald Trump, her college membership in Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), a historically Black sorority, is emerging as a significant asset.
Founded in 1908 at Howard University, AKA is the first sorority for Black undergraduate women in the US, and it boasts a network of 360,000 members across the country. Many of these members are mobilizing to support Harris, providing her with a powerful grassroots network for fundraising and voter registration.
Although AKA is officially non-partisan, many of its members are individually taking action to back Harris. Tanya Baham, an AKA member and social worker in Louisiana, expressed her commitment to ensuring that people of all ages register to vote and make it to the polls. The sorority’s influence extends beyond college campuses, as AKA has chapters for both undergraduates and graduates, creating a lifelong network that Harris can tap into for support.
Harris’s affiliation with AKA and other Black sororities has allowed her to foster relationships with influential figures within these organizations. As Vice President, she hosted leaders from Black sororities and fraternities at the White House and headlined AKA’s convention in Texas. Shortly after President Joe Biden ended his reelection bid, Harris attended another convention for the Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta in Indiana. Such engagements demonstrate her commitment to maintaining strong ties with these communities and leveraging their support in her campaign.
Members of AKA were also part of a “Win With Black Women” Zoom call that raised $1.5 million, and Glenda Glover, the sorority’s former president, is leading outreach efforts for Harris at historically Black colleges. AKA has even formed a political action committee to fundraise for political candidates, marking a historic first for the organization.
However, the impact of these efforts on the actual election outcome remains uncertain. While the sorority provides a robust network for Harris, it is challenging to determine how this will translate into votes. The organization and its members have generally been tight-lipped about their political activities, with many declining to comment publicly on the election. Additionally, the overall influence of sororities like AKA may be limited, given that only a fraction of U.S. voters are members of these organizations.
Political scientist Daniel Hopkins from the University of Pennsylvania noted that while mobilization through sororities is beneficial, it may not significantly sway the broader electorate. Furthermore, research indicates that African Americans, while traditionally strong Democratic supporters, have shown signs of drifting away from the party, especially among younger and less frequent voters.
Despite these challenges, Amanda Wilkerson, an assistant professor of higher education at the University of Central Florida, emphasizes that organizations like AKA are “hidden apparatuses” in political organizing. These groups have played crucial roles in previous elections and are well-equipped to mobilize their networks in 2024. According to Wilkerson, Harris is uniquely positioned to leverage these networks of support, making her campaign strategy distinct, yet rooted in well-established organizing practices.
As Harris moves forward in her bid for the White House, the backing of her sorority sisters and the broader Black Greek-letter community could provide a meaningful boost, both in terms of grassroots support and financial resources. However, whether this support will translate into electoral success remains to be seen.
