SISTAS UNMUTED AT THE DNC
By NICKI MAYO
Black Women Unmuted Editor-at-large
Black women were front and center at the 2024 Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago from August 19 to 22. Here’s a look at the sistas who had the mic in the Windy City. Since there were so many, this list will stick to those who delivered speeches or performances.
Night #1 (Aug. 19): For the People
Watch the entire DNC night one program.
Monday night kicked off the DNC with the “For the People” theme. Considering the number of Black women taking the stage throughout the night, the evening’s vibe resembled that on any given day during the annual Essence Festival in New Orleans. Here’s a look at the numerous politicians, strategists, community organizers and advocates that addressed the DNC on August 19.
Minyon Moore is chair of the 2024 Democratic National Convention Committee. She kicked off the event with Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chair Jaime R. Harrison.
Watch Minyon Moore open the 2024 DNC.
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) serves California’s 43rd District encompassing parts of Los Angeles.
Watch Rep. Maxine Waters’ speech at the DNC.
Melanie Campbell is president/CEO of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation and convener of Black Women’s Roundtable.
Watch Melanie Campbell’s speech at the DNC.
Former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia Fudge addressed the DNC audience as the party’s Credentials Committee co-chair. Fudge is also the campaign chair for Vice President Harris’ presidential campaign. Read more about Fudge’s political career in Deborah Barfield Berry’s report From HUD to Home: Marcia Fudge’s Journey
Bishop Leah D. Daughtry is co-chair of the Rules Committee. She was Chief Executive Officer of the 2008 DNC and created Faith In Action, the Democratic Party’s outreach to communities of faith.
Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) represents Illinois’ 14th Congressional District. Underwood is the youngest Black woman ever elected to Congress.
Watch Rep. Lauren Underwood’s speech during the DNC.
Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) represents the third district of Ohio.
Watch Rep. Joyce Beatty’s address at the DNC.
April Verrett is president of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). She joined several union leaders onstage at the DNC.
Watch April Verrett’s speech at the DNC.
Mayor Karen Bass is the first woman and second African American to serve as mayor of Los Angeles, the nation’s second largest city. She previously represented California’s 37th Congressional District.
Watch Mayor Karen Bass’ remarks at the DNC.
Country music star Mickey Guyton performed her song “All American.”
Watch Mickey Guyton’s performance at the DNC.
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.)
Sen. Laphonza Butler (D-Calif.) is the first Black lesbian to openly serve in Congress and the second Black woman to represent California. Governor Gavin Newsom appointed Sen. Butler to the senate seat to complete the term of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein.
Watch Sen. Laphonza Butler’s speech at the DNC.
Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris greeted the DNC crowd Monday night. Harris wore a tan suit and an X user dubbed her look “The Audacity of Taupe 2.0,” which is a play on President Barack Obama’s taboo tan suit.
Watch Vice President Harris’ welcome message at the DNC.
Doris Johnson and Stacey Johnson-Batiste
Kamala’s childhood friend Stacey Johnson-Batiste and her mother Doris Johnson offered insight into the vice president’s protective nature throughout her life. Johnson-Batiste described how Harris interceded and stood up for her in the face of a bully. Johnson said Harris’ mother would be so proud of the woman she is today.
Watch Doris Johnson and Stacey Johnson-Batiste’s remarks at the DNC. https://youtu.be/R5-SDPUV-hA
Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) represents the 30th Congressional District, encompassing parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Her DNC address included a visual list comparing the resumes of Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump.
Watch Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s presentation at the DNC.
Louisiana’s Kaitlyn Joshua was featured among the testimonials during the “Our Fight for Reproductive Rights” segment. Joshua explained how experiencing a miscarriage changed her family’s life.
Watch Kaitlyn Joshua and others’ reproductive rights testimonials during the DNC.
Night #2 (Aug. 20): A Bold Vision for America’s Future
Watch the entire DNC Tuesday night program.
Tuesday night’s theme was “A Bold Vision for America’s Future.” The celebratory state roll call stole the show as representatives displayed their regional culture. Former FLOTUS Michelle Obama closed out the night with her husband Former President Barack Obama. Here’s a look at the Black women that took to the DNC stage on August 20.
Patti LaBelle sang “You are My Friend” for the in memoriam honoring the lives of prominent Democratic Party politicians, strategists and organizers and activists that passed away in the past year.
Watch Patti LaBelle’s performance at the DNC.
The Roll Call
Multiple Black women were unmuted on the microphones from the floor of the DNC during the celebratory state roll call.
Watch the 2024 DNC state roll call.
Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks delivered the keynote address during night two. She’s currently running for Maryland U.S. Senator. If she wins, Alsobrooks will be the first Black woman elected to a statewide position in the Old Line State.
Watch Angela Alsobrooks’ keynote address to the DNC.
Former FLOTUS Michelle Obama
Former First Lady of the United States Michelle Obama fired up the audience with a message of hope, service and shared economic responsibility.
Watch FLOTUS Michelle Obama’s speech during the DNC.
Night #3 (Aug. 21): A Fight for Our Freedoms
Watch the entire DNC night three program.
Wednesday night at the DNC centered on the theme, “A Fight for Our Freedoms.” The myriad of speakers set the stage for the final address of the night from Vice President Kamala Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Here’s a look at the Black women that also took the stage at the DNC on August 21.
The House of the Lord Church’s Bishop Leah D. Daughtry and Sri Siva Vishnu Temple’s Sri Rakesh Bhatt opened the third night of the DNC with words of faith.
Watch the invocation from night three at the DNC.
2019 Minnesota Teacher of the Year Jessica Davis sang The National Anthem.
Watch Jessica Davis’ performance at the DNC.
Alexis McGill Johnson is president and CEO of Planned Parenthood, a national organization dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and education.
Watch Alexis McGill Johnson’s address at the DNC.
Kelley Robinson is president of the Human Rights Campaign, a national civil rights organization that fights to make equality, equity and liberation a reality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people.
Watch Kelley Robinson’s DNC speech.
Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) represents Delaware’s at-large congressional district. She’s currently running to become Delaware’s first Black woman to hold the Senate seat.
Watch Rep.Lisa Blunt Rochester’s speech at the DNC.
Lateefah Simon is a civil rights organizer, anti-human trafficking advocate and candidate for California’s 12th congressional district encompassing Alameda County.
Watch Lateefah Simon’s speech at the DNC.
Amanda Gorman is the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. She is revered as a bestselling author, poet, & activist.
Watch Amanda Gorman’s address at the DNC.
Oprah Winfrey is a multimedia maven known for her work as a talk show host, television producer, actress, author and more.
Watch Oprah Winfrey’s address at the DNC.
Night #4 (Aug. 22): For Our Future
Watch the entire DNC final night program.
The final night of the DNC focused on the theme, “For Our Future.” The speakers of the night included the Exonerated 5, Rev. Al Shaprton, Kerry Washington, D.L. Hugley and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren and more. Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage for a 40 minute speech addressing her policy ideals for her potential administration. Here’s a look at the Black women and girls that also took the stage on the final night of the DNC, August 22.
Marcia Fudge returned to the stage for a second time as campaign chair for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign. As the former Housing and Urban Development Secretary, Fudge spoke about Harris’ plans to improve homeownership.
Watch Marcia Fudge’s address on the final night of the DNC.
Anya Cook is a Florida woman that experienced a miscarriage because she could not terminate the pregnancy due to Florida’s abortion ban.
Watch Anya Cook’s testimony at the DNC.
Kerry Washington is an actress, television show producer, film director and advocate. She’s best known for her work in the tv drama “Scandal.” Washington’s segment included Harris’ great-nieces Amara and Leela teaching the audience how to properly pronounce “Kamala.”
Watch Kerry Washington Amara and Leela’s pronunciation tutorial at the DNC.
Helena Hudlin
Helena Hudlin is Vice President Harris’ goddaughter. She shared the importance of having Harris’ guidance in her life. Hudlin appeared alongside Meena Harris and Ella Emhoff, Harris’ niece and stepdaughter respectively.
Watch Helena Hudlin, Meena Harris and Ella Emhoff’s remarks at the DNC.
Rep. Lucy McBath and Melody McFadden
Rep. Lucy McBath (D-Ga.) serves Georgia’s seventh congressional district. She dedicated her life to gun reform following the fatal shooting of her son Jordan in 2012. Melody McFadden began working with Moms Demand Action after her niece Sandy Pa’Tricewas fatally shot on a trip to Myrtle Beach in 2014. Rep. McBath and McFadden appeared alongside fellow gun control advocates during the “Freedom from Gun Violence” segment.
Watch gun control advocates during the “Freedom from Gun Violence” segment at the DNC.
Maya Harris is the younger sister to Vice President Harris. Maya Harris served as a senior policy advisor to Hillary Clinton during her 2016 presidential campaign.
Watch Maya Harris’ address to the DNC.
Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris returned to the DNC crowd Thursday night to formally address the nation as the official Democratic Party nominee for president.
Watch Vice President Harris’ address message at the DNC.
