Monday (Apr. 29) Vice President Harris visited Atlanta, Georgia to kick off her national “Fight for Economic Opportunity Tour”. Due to the dearth of information from the MSM as to what the Biden-Harris administration is doing specifically for Black Americans to try to right past and current inequities and iniquities and due to disinformation campaigns specifically targeting Black men, the purpose of the tour is to inform about the Biden-Harris administration’s initiatives and how to access the resources now made available.
Prior to starting the tour, VP Kamala Harris spoke with Reverend Al on Keeping it Real:
VP Harris’ first stop in Atlanta was a visit to the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs (RICE), where she spoke with business leaders.
I wanted to start here, as not only a symbol of the spirit of the kind of work that produces the kind of excellence that we’ve seen. And, this is my first stop in Atlanta, on the tour. (Applause.) I’m hoping to uplift your stories as examples of what is possible with the kind of support that includes the resources, that includes the relationships, that includes as a fundamental point, access in every way. And through that, then the inspiration that comes with that, in terms of people knowing they can have a dream and they can actually achieve it, because the resources, and the infrastructure is there to allow that to happen.
Vice President Harris’ event in Atlanta was a moderated discussion with Rashad Bilal, a financial advisor, and Troy Millings, an educator, of the podcast Earn Your Leisure (for background see "Meet Rashad And Troy, The Financial Powerhouses Of REVOLT'S Assets Over Liabilities").
In her introductory remarks, VP Kamala Harris names three key areas the Biden-Harris administration has concentrated on to address historical inequities towards the Black community: 1) access to capital; 2) counseling through the Small Business Association (SBA) and 3) access to markets.
So, the work that we have been doing over the last three years has been focused on all of these areas and also understanding the context in which we exist, which is the longstanding disparities, and understanding that in spite of those who, in certain parts of our country, want to attack DEI, we understand that you can’t truly invest in the strength of our nation if you don’t pay attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion. (Applause.)
VP Harris names further inequities as to the ability of Black Americans to own a home, injustices in the G.I. Bill which excluded Black veterans from benefits, redlining and bias in home appraisals. She speaks of increasing Pell Grants, forgiving student loan debt (including for those who did not complete their studies and a new rule where medical debt can no longer affect one’s credit score.
Asked what advice she would give to the audience in terms of entrepreneurship:
That you are worthy of and entitled to receive an investment in your dream and your ambition, and to seek out the resources that exist — and we’re trying to make it easier for you to find those resources — but seek them out.
Go for it. Apply for it.
Here’s the full event:
VP Kamala Harris’ remarks and conversation start at 53 minutes.
This is great coverage of Vice President Kamala Harris’ tour from Jonathan Capehart:
Wednesday (May 1), on the day that Florida’s 6 week abortion ban took effect, Vice President Kamala Harris delivered a fiery speech in Jacksonville, Florida. Here are a few excerpts:
So, listen, I think we all know this is a fight for freedom. This is a fight for freedom — the fundamental freedom to make decisions about one’s own body and not have their government tell them what they are supposed to do. (Applause.)
Across our nation, we witnessed a full-on assault state by state on reproductive freedom. (Applause.)
And understand who is to blame. Former President Donald Trump did this. (Applause.)
Audience - Booo —
As of this morning, 4 million women woke up in this state with fewer reproductive freedoms than they had last night. This is the new reality under a Trump abortion ban.
Starting this morning, women in Florida became subject to an abortion ban so extreme it applies even before many women know they are pregnant — which, by the way, tells us the extremists who wrote this ban either don’t know how a woman’s body works or they simply don’t care.
Trump says he wants to leave abortion up to the states. He says “up to the states.”
All right. So, here’s how that works out. Today, one in three women of reproductive age live in a state with a Trump abortion ban, many with no exception for rape or incest.
And as much harm as he has already caused, a second Trump term would be even worse. Donald Trump’s friends in the United States Congress are trying to pass a national ban. And understand: A national ban would outlaw abortion in every single state, even in states like New York and California.
And now Trump wants us to believe he will not sign a national ban. Well, I say, enough with the gaslighting. (Applause.)
VP Kamala Harris’ remarks start at 2:11:00
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Vote and GOTV. “When we fight, we win!” — VP Kamala Harris