Many Howard University students were stunned Friday afternoon when former Vice President Kamala Harris made an unannounced return to her alma mater to promote her new book, 107 Days.
Harris, a 1986 Howard graduate, walked across The Yard, greeting students, signing copies of her book and offering words of encouragement to the next generation of Bison.
The former vice president’s book, 107 Days, reflects on an unprecedented stretch in modern American politics. The title refers to the period between July 21, 2024, when Joe Biden announced he would not seek reelection, and Election Day, Nov. 5, 2024.
During that time, Harris became the Democratic nominee. She said the closeness of the election and the history that followed stand out most.
“What is historic about that in many ways,” she said, “is that it was the closest election for president of the United States in the 21st century and a Howard grad did that.”
The 2024 presidential election was the second closest election in the century following behind the race between George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000, according to electoral and popular votes reported by Encyclopedia Britannica.
Harris said that returning to Howard to share her story was especially meaningful. As she signed books and posed for selfies with students outside the campus bookstore, she reflected on how Howard shaped her trajectory, and emphasized the importance of HBCU alumni investing in current students.
“I attribute my success to many blessings and among them at the highest level is having been educated at this university,” Harris said.
She encouraged students to never doubt their abilities.
“Never let a circumstance make you feel alone or feel small,” she said. “Know your greatness always because we are expecting a lot of you. You are brilliant, you are leaders, and I am so proud of you.”
Her message struck a chord with many in attendance.
“I thought it was surprising. I thought the message was for me when she said ‘don’t let your circumstances define you,’” said Olivia Spence, a sophomore who watched Harris speak in the bookstore. “Kamala inspires me by her persistence, she’s a trailblazer.”
Damarian Washington, a junior history major from New York, also expressed feeling encouraged and unified by Harris’ words.
“It feels inspiring, especially in a time now where we feel so divided. Seeing somebody who’s been here, especially at her stature, it just felt like something good is going to happen,” Washington said.
Harris also spoke about young people’s role in democracy, praising Gen Z for its determination and influence.
“I am so excited about your generation of leadership,” she said. “You all, as Gen Z, have been through a lot. The thing I admire about your generation is you are impatient, you’re not waiting for other people to lead.”
Clusters of students gathered around Harris in The Valley, cheering as she spoke about Howard’s legacy and the responsibility that comes with being a Bison.
“The world expects so much of a Howard student. When you go out in the world, the world knows that you are a leader,” Harris said after expressing her love for the university.
Harris’ message resonated with students across the crowd.
“Howard molds us into these great individuals and leaders in life,” Washington said. “Being at Howard truly is inspiring because you can become like that one day, a vice president, a leader, a politician, something.”
Her surprise visit energized the campus and reminded many students of Howard’s legacy of producing trailblazers.
“This was a reminder that resilience really is a big thing and it felt good to just be more unified as a community at Howard. I know when we were there, everybody was running. Everybody was joyful. Just seeing her presence alone made us realize being unified is the best thing that can happen for our community,” Washington said.
Harris left students with a simple but powerful piece of mind, to know their worth and continue leading change in the world.
“You have the capacity to lead and to be brilliant and to speak truth and to have courage and to stand in moments that require your voice and require your truth,” she said. “You are all leaders right now, you were born leaders. And what this place will do is nurture that.”
Harris closed by connecting her pride as an alum to the promise she sees in current students as they continued to cheer.
“I am counting on you as a very proud Bison,” Harris said.
Copy edited by D’Nyah Jefferson – Philmore
