Happily Divorced And After

Vice President Kamala Harris: One Voice, One Fight: The Race to the White House

By Angela M. Coggs

This writer was one of the 44K Black Woman on a historical, meeting of the minds that had only one goal and one plan. To ensure current Vice President Kamala Harris obtains a NEW office in the White House. The vast of most of well-known people on the Zoom was remarkable however since everyone was there on their time and not in their official capacity and all attendees were asked not to share who was on the call and not to screenshot and share it on social media. While on the call, attendees were updated throughout the meeting about the number of attendees, money raised for the Harris campaign, and the fact that the Zoom call had gone viral within minutes.

On July 21, 2024, a significant virtual event organized by the Win With Black Women coalition took place. This Zoom meeting gathered an impressive 44,000 African American women and successfully raised $1.3 million in support of Kamala Harris’s campaign efforts. This initiative highlights the substantial mobilization and fundraising capabilities of African American women in political advocacy and their commitment to supporting influential leaders like Kamala Harris.

Win With Black Women is a collective of influential Black women from various sectors, including business, politics, and entertainment, and everyday people dedicated to empowering Black women and amplifying their voices in socio-political spheres.

(https://www.winwithblackwomen.org/) [oai_citation:2,25 Black Women Who Are Changing the World -](https://www.blackenterprise.com/image-gallery-black-women-changing-the-world/).

On July 22, 2024, a notable Zoom meeting was held with 44,000 African American men, organized by the Win With Black Women organization. The event successfully raised $1.5 million in support of Vice President Kamala Harris. The significant turnout and substantial funds raised highlight the strong support Harris enjoys within the African American community. This fundraiser reflects the ongoing efforts to mobilize and unify Black voters ahead of the upcoming elections.

The Black community is a significant voting bloc in U.S. presidential elections, and its influence on the 2024 election will likely be substantial for several reasons:

1. **Democratic Support**: Historically, Black voters have largely supported the Democratic Party. Mobilizing and securing this support is crucial for any Democratic candidate. High turnout among Black voters has been pivotal in recent elections, including the 2020 presidential election and the 2022 midterms.
2. **Swing States**: In key swing states like Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin, the Black vote can be decisive. High Black voter turnout in these states can sway the results in favor of one candidate.
3. **Policy Impact**: Candidates often shape their platforms to address issues important to the Black community, such as criminal justice reform, economic equality, healthcare, and voting rights. The responsiveness of candidates to these concerns can influence voter turnout and preference.
4. **Influential Leaders**: Black political leaders and activists play a crucial role in mobilizing voters, endorsing candidates, and influencing public opinion within the community.
5. **Young Voters**: The younger generation of Black voters is increasingly active and vocal about social justice issues, and their engagement can impact the overall political landscape and voter turnout.

Overall, the engagement and turnout of Black voters will be a key factor in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. She is ready and I’m with her. #onevoiceonefight #winwithblackwomen

San Bernardino has a rich history of early Black pioneering that can be traced back before the county’s official founding in 1853. Perhaps you’ve heard the names Charles Rowan, Lizzy
Flake, Grief Embers, Toby Embers, and Martha Embers. Much less is known about Hannah
(who went by several different surnames, including as Embers and Smiley) than her famous
companion, Biddy Mason. Both Hannah and Biddy were brought to San Bernardino by Mormon slaveholders in 1851. They lived on Jumuba ranch and worked throughout the colony as skilled midwives until they won their freedom in 1856 in Los Angeles. Hannah returned to San Bernardino to live out the rest of her days. Her daughter, Martha, married Israel Beal, who was a prominent Black pioneer in Redlands.

In collaboration with the National Underground Railroad Network for Freedom, the Santa
Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, and Hannah’s descendants, we are asking the
greater San Bernardino and Redlands area for help. If you have any information or insights into the history of Hannah, Jumuba Ranch, or early Black San Bernardino, please feel free to
contact us. With your help, we aim to preserve, celebrate and uplift the often overlooked history of Black pioneering in the Inland Empire.

What we are seeking: on Jumuba Ranch and Hannah

• Oral histories
• Family archives
• Newspaper clippings
• Maps
• Sketches
•  Diaries

Contacts
Angela Wilkinson (angela.ingham.wilkinson@gmail.com): direct descendent of Hannah and
Israel Beal

Dr. Kevin Waite (kevin.a.waite@durham.ac.uk): associate professor of history and project
director

Christella Maldonado (christella_maldonado@partner.nps.gov): PhD student and research
specialist in Jumuba Ranch and early San Bernardino

It’s Wash Day, and Zara is not excited about wearing her hair in the same styles Mama usually creates. But once Mama takes Zara on a cultural journey, helping her understand the significance of each hairstyle and how to wear each style with pride, Wash Day will never be the same. For Black women, Wash Day isn’t just a routine — it’s a ritual. From the products we choose to the spaces we create the time we spend caring for our hair connects us to ourselves, our culture, and the people we want to be.

Zara’s Wash Day is by author Zenda Walker, a best-selling, award-winning author, licensed cosmetologist, and marketing executive. She is passionate about beauty education and helping people to discover the magic of textured hair. “Creating a story of joy and celebration was my way of shifting the energy and changing the narrative for Black and Brown children. I wanted to celebrate us and uplift us with our heritage, by way of our ‘hairitage,'” says author Zenda Walker.

With a foreword by Academy award-winning actor and New York Times best-selling Lupita Nyong’o, Zara’s Wash Day is an empowering picture book celebrating traditional Black hairstyles! The book was an instant hit and sold out at the Essence Fest July 2024.

Zara’s Wash Day was illustrated by Princess Karibo, a self-taught illustrator from Nigeria. “I had an amazing experience illustrating ‘Zara’s Wash Day.’ Bringing the story to life through art was a privilege, and I enjoyed every moment of depicting the diverse and beautiful aspects of black hair. It was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich textures and styles of black hair in a visually engaging way” says Princess Karibo.

Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day is a semi-biographical story about how the hair texture and cultural styles of people of African descent are linked to a colorful and layered ancestral story. This new and expanded edition of the Writer’s Digest award winner includes a tutorial on creating Fulani-inspired Afro Puffs, and an expanded glossary of terms.

“Every picture of a smiling child that is sent to me, is healing, and encouraging because the message of love, protection, empowerment and knowledge is being received exactly how it was intended.” Zenda says.

“Zara’s Wash Day” is the first book in the Know Your Hairitage Series. Zenda continues the series with in the Fall with “Zion’s Crown“, which tells the story of two young Black boys learning to be proud of their textured hair and will be released on September 10, 2024.

“Know Your Hairitage: Zara’s Wash Day” is sold at https://knowyourhairitage.com/zaras-wash-day-book, and Target.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND ILLUSTRATOR

Zenda Walker is a best-selling, award-winning author, licensed cosmetologist, and marketing executive. She is passionate about beauty education and helping people to discover the magic of textured hair. Originally from the Bronx, New York, Zenda enjoys traveling, spontaneous dance parties, exploring and developing beauty trends and chocolate desserts. She is co-founder of Bounce Mobile Fitness Club, LLC.—a fitness business specializing in rebounding workouts. Zenda resides in New York with her daughter, Zara.

Princess Karibo is a self-taught illustrator from Nigeria, West Africa. She enjoys working on traditional art by day and digital art projects by night.

SACRAMENTO, CA – Last week, Governor Newsom announced that the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR ) awarded $31 million in California Opportunity Youth Apprenticeship (COYA) grants to 51 projects across the state. Assemblymember Holden’s legislation, Assembly Bill 2273, Paid Career Technical Education Internships sought to strengthen and fund Career Technical Education Internships to ensure students are given the opportunity to explore careers and enter the workforce with valuable experience. Designed to create inclusive and accessible opportunities for disadvantaged youth, COYA grants include specific criteria that achieve AB 2273’s intended goals of prioritizing foster youth and disabled youth.

“It takes a collective effort to expand opportunities for our youth across the state and that’s why I want to thank Governor Newsom for including proposed amendments to my legislation in this important funding project. Our young people will benefit greatly from these apprenticeships and because of these guidelines it will be harder for eligible young people to miss out.”

DIR is summarizing the target population for COYA with the term “opportunity youth,” which in the context of this funding opportunity includes individuals from 16 to 24 years of age who are at risk of disconnection or are disconnected from the education system or employment, unhoused, in the child welfare, juvenile justice, or criminal legal systems, living in concentrated poverty, or are facing barriers to labor market participation.

By Antonio Ray Harvey | California Black Media

On June 21, President Joe Biden announced in a letter posted on social media that he is ending his candidacy for a second term and throwing his support behind Vice President Kamala Harris.

“It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as your President. And while it has been my intention to seek reelection, I believe it is in the best interest of my party and the country for me to stand down and to focus solely on fulfilling my duties as President for the remainder of my term,” Biden, 81, addressed the nation in a statement.

Shortly after Biden’s announcement, political and civil leaders from across California reacted to the President’s decision.

Gov. Gavin Newsom hailed Biden’s leadership as President.

“President Biden has been an extraordinary, history-making president — a leader who has fought hard for working people and delivered astonishing results for all Americans,” Newsom said.  “He will go down in history as one of the most impactful and selfless presidents.”

Lori Wilson, the chairperson for the California Legislative Black Caucus (CLBC), released a statement wishing Biden well and endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as Biden’s Democratic nominee successor.

“As Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus, I would like to express our gratitude to President Biden and thank him for his many years of service and support of policies uplifting Black Californians,” Wilson stated. “As a Caucus, we are proud to stand with President Biden and offer our wholehearted and unconditional endorsement to Vice President Kamala D. Harris.  We look forward to working hard to ensure she is elected President in November.”

Biden’s campaign released a statement from Harris.“I am honored to have the president’s endorsement, and my intention is to earn and win this nomination,” Harris stated. “Over the past year, I have traveled across the country, talking with Americans about the clear choice in this momentous election. And that is what I will continue to do in the days and weeks ahead.”

U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA-12) released a statement commending Biden for his many accomplishments.

“From appointing the first Black woman to serve on the Supreme Court to historic investments in addressing climate change and improving infrastructure, to saving lives and reviving our economy after the COVID-19 pandemic, President Biden’s legacy as president will live on forever,” Lee stated. This day is about honoring him.”

Lee also endorsed Harris for President.

“The contrast can’t be clearer: Vice President Harris is a prosecutor. Donald Trump is a convicted felon. Vice President Harris is a woman that wants to protect reproductive freedom and the rights of all people,” said Lee in a statement. “Donald Trump wants to take those rights away. We need to unite around Vice President Harris and ensure that Donald Trump does not get another opportunity to be in the White House ever again.”

LaNiece Jones, Executive Director of Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA), thanked Biden for his service and praised him for his endorsement of Harris.

“We are profoundly thankful for your steadfast commitment to ensuring equity and equality for Black women and all Americans. Your efforts to create a more just and inclusive society do not go unnoticed, and we stand firmly with you as you pass the torch to the next U.S. President.” said Jones. “We are immensely proud of and commend your historic endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, a longtime and esteemed member of BWOPA, to lead this nation.”

California Senate President pro-Tempore Mike McGuire (D-Healdsburg) also expressed his appreciation for Biden’s presidency.

“His leadership has been nothing short of tremendous, especially coming out of a global pandemic. California is deeply grateful for his tireless dedication to this nation we all love to call home,” said McGuire.

California U.S. Senator Laphonza Butler said the nation owes Biden a “debt of gratitude for his service and patriotism.”

“Thanks to his leadership, the American people have witnessed historic investments in education, infrastructure, and so much more,” said Butler in a statement. “The threat to all that progress remains, and we must now do everything we can to ensure Vice President Harris succeeds. There’s no one better prepared for this challenge.”

California U.S. Congressmember Eric Swalwell (D-Livermore) endorsed Harris.

“I am all in with Kamala Harris,” Swalwell said on a public television network.

Former U.S. Congressmember and current Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says she will continue to work with the Biden administration until it ends in January 2025.

“I know that the work will continue through the remainder of the President’s term, and I look forward to continuing to partner with him and Vice President Harris to deliver results for those whom we serve,” Bass stated.

California U.S. Congressmember Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37) posted on X that says she’s “all in” and that she has endorsed Harris.

“Let’s do this Democrats. Let’s do this, Independents. Let’s do this, disaffected Republicans. Here. We. Go. Win!”

California U.S. Congressmember Maxine Waters (D-CA-43) posted on the social media platform X that Harris has her “full support.”

“Thank you, President Biden! I am one of your greatest supporters and I was willing to stay with you through the Democratic Party nomination. However, you have decided to step down and you have endorsed your Vice President Kamala Harris. You are a kind and decent man who is willing to make a sacrifice for what you believe is for the good of the country.”

RICHMOND, VA– The Metropolitan Junior Baseball League (MJBL) will present its 33rd Annual Inner City Classic and Black World Series starting on July 30 in Washington, DC. The country’s oldest continuous, national inner city baseball tournament will begin its competition at Maury Wills Field in the Nation’s Capital at 6 pm after their 20th Annual Bobby Bonds Memorial Symposium at the Congressional Auditorium on Capitol Hill.

The symposium, hosted by representative Jennifer McClellan (VA- 5 district), is a think tank on how baseball and education can improve the lives of African Americans and their communities. Congressman Donald Davis (NC- 1st district) is a member of the Democratic Congressional Baseball team and will also bring remarks to the audience. Justin Journette, the Norfolk State University slugger, will be presented with his plaque from the Black College Nines as they named him the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Most Valuable Baseball Player.

Journette’s power is well known by MJBL followers as he played in the Classic and won the home run derby last year. Also during the program, Evan Smith, who played with MJBL last year, will make a monetary check presentation to the league from the non-profit organization he started in Maryland called Equal Shot 4 All. Smith started the organization to make funds available to less fortunate youth so they can experience the fun, excitement and life lessons the game provided him.

The event is already receiving national attention, with Charlie Wells commenting about it. Wells, who played catcher for the Philadelphia Stars in the Negro Leagues, was one of the players Major League Baseball honored in Birmingham at Rickwood Field said, “There are no African American catchers in the majors today. It’s extremely disappointing to see the steadfast decline of our young people in the game. I’m pleased that MJBL is going to Capitol Hill to champion this issue and make the public aware of their awesome work in the black community.” Wells will have two great nephews out of Virginia participating in the Classic.

Panelists for the Capitol Hill Symposium are former MLB player and manager Dusty Baker via Zoom, Paxton Baker, Washington Nationals minority owner, Sonja Stills, Commissioner of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference, David James, VP of Baseball and Softball Development for MLB, Jarvis Stewart, founding partner of the Washington Nationals, and Ricky Clemons, a Howard University professor. The symposium and games are free and open to the public. Details for broadcasting and streaming will be provided later for those unable to attend in person.

Free Home COVID Antigen Tests and PPE Available – Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

(Black Wednesday Report) – The Los Angeles County Public Health Department reported 262 new COVID-19 cases among Blacks, up by 26 cases. The County also recorded 0 deaths among Blacks since last week, up by 2 souls. In Los Angeles County the total diagnosed Black cases are 198,631 with 3,335 deaths. Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County mourns with all the family members, friends, and individuals who have experienced losses and illness.

Over a nine-week period, starting just before Memorial Day and through the 4th of July, new COVID-19 case rates have increased by 524% among Blacks. The nine-week increase compared to 2023 and 2022 are significant: In 2023 there was an increase of 26%; In 2022 there was a 123% increase.

Los Angeles County has experienced increases in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations every summer over the past three years. Data from the last four weeks has shown a rise in the number of reported positive COVID-19 cases. With traveling and gatherings increasing during summer, protection from COVID infection remains important as new variants have begun to circulate nationwide. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health reminds residents to take common-sense precautions to avoid becoming ill with COVID, especially residents who are at an increased risk of severe illness and death from COVID. Residents should also wash their hands often or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating, after sneezing or coughing, or when in public places. People should stay home if they have any symptoms of illness, including coughing, sneezing, a fever or sore throat, and consider talking with friends and family so they know to be cautious about gathering if they show signs of infection.  In addition to antigen tests, LAC DPH is continuing to assist the community with COVID-19

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needs, such as gloves and masks. PPE requests can be submitted as frequently as needed through our survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/XRRJPGN.

Black Women Rally for Action – Los Angeles County is a coalition of individuals and groups who provide a mechanism for Los Angeles County Black women to advocate on behalf of their health and well-being. The coalition, which does not accept government grant funding, is dedicated to advancing health, economic, and social equity for all Los Angeles County Black women through direct action and connection to effective resources.  In April 2020, the group launched a COVID-19 social media outreach campaign to address COVID-19’s impact in the Black community.  https://www.facebook.com/blackwomenrallyforaction

By Lou K. Coleman | WSS News Contributor

DO NOT listen to all those soothing voices whispering you have all the time in the world. “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” [Isaiah 55:6-7].

For Gods says in [Isaiah 48:9] “For my own name’s sake I delay my wrath; for the sake of my praise, I hold it back from you, so as not to destroy you completely.”  I’m putting my grace on display, my mercy, my long suffering, my patience, but that want last forever.  This is all the more urgent, for you to know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for your salvation is nearer now than when you first believed. [Romans 13:11].

Understand, the offer of Salvation has a time element to it! How much time is left, you ask? Now that we do not know. That is a mystery that God holds in His hand, and He will not tell us. But what He does tell us is that it’s later than you think. It will not be long before this present age as we know it will end. Wake up and do it NOW! The time is short! And be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity because the days are evil. [Ephesians 5:11].

Understand, salvation is a life and death matter, it’s a matter of heaven or hell! When you give your life to God you are not only saved from sin, the evil one, and death; you are also saved from the wrath of God and the judgment to come. The point of this paragraph of God’s Word is that there will be no escape for any of us who neglects our great salvation. [Hebrews 2:1–4].

Besides, if Jesus came on the scene saying “Repent for the Kingdom of God is at Hand” how important do you think it is? Wake up and do it now! For the Lord is not slow in keeping His promises, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” [2 Peter 3:9].

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent. [Acts 17:30]. As [Luke 13:22] admonishes, make every effort to enter the narrow door, because many will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the master of the house gets up and closes the door, you’ll stand outside knocking and pleading, sir open the door for us. But “He will answer,” I don’t know you or where you come from. Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Consider this borrowed time, that God has allotted, which can be compared to the seven days of grace God gave to the people in Noah’s day. The ark was finished, and all the people and the animals were onboard; but God gave all those outside the ark seven days of grace. He told Noah, for yet seven days, and I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights; and every living substance that I have made will I destroy from off the face of the earth [Genesis 7:4].

God left the door open so that those who wanted could enter the ark, but they just mocked and made fun of Noah and his family like they had been doing for many years. And it came to pass after seven days, that the waters of the flood were upon the earth…and the Lord shut him in [Genesis 7:10,16].

Time is about to run out. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Enter the Ark. It is not the will of your Father which is in Heaven, that you should perish [Matthew 18:14; 2 Peter 3:9]. If you have any conscience at all, you will enter the ark while the door is still open.

You know the prophet Isaiah was told to tell King Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order: for thou shalt die, and not live. Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed unto the Lord, and said, remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore [Isaiah 38:1-3].

God did not disagree with Hezekiah, so He gave him borrowed time. Then came the word of the Lord to Isaiah, saying, Go, and say to Hezekiah, Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years [Isaiah 38:4,5]. Every minute of that was borrowed time because God had originally said that Hezekiah’s time was up. God’s grace!

So, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. [2 Peter 3:8].

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment. [Hebrews 9:27].

Behold, NOW is the accepted time; Behold, NOW is the day of salvation [2 Corinthians 6:2].

And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for NOW, our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand [Romans 13:11-14]. For, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.” [Mark 1:15].

And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that liveth forever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer [Revelation 10:5,6].

You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” [Luke 12:40].

By Jasmyne Cannick

President Joe Biden not seeking re-election isn’t just good for Democrats looking to stave off a second Donald Trump presidency, but it’s good news for all the other candidates on the ballot who were at serious risk of millions of Democratic voters sitting out November altogether.

This unexpected, but much needed, turn of events has generated a wave of reactions across the nation, but one thing is clear: Vice-President Kamala Harris’s entry into the presidential race is going to provide a significant boost to down-ticket races for the Democratic Party.

Before Biden’s delayed departure from the election, the Democratic Party was doing an excellent job at ignoring the increasing number of voters of all ages who were not willing to compromise their morals or values in November for Biden to vote in the lesser of two evils–which to them is still evil. From the administration’s handling of the Israel-Hamas War, immigration, the economy, and more–these Democrats were okay with dealing with the consequences of Biden losing understanding that they will struggle under Republicans, they will struggle under Democrats. No matter who is in office, they will struggle. Why should their conscience be in conflict as well? And that was before Biden’s Weekend at Bernie’s debate performance.

Biden staying on the ticket wasn’t just going to hurt our chances to keep The White House and democracy alive in the US, but it was going to hurt all the local and state candidates and propositions that had the luck of being on the same ballot had Democratic voters sat this one out.

Now, I am not really under the illusion that his decision not to seek re-election had anything to do with the millions of Democratic voters who were set to watch the chips falls where they may. I am pretty sure it had to do more with hard to have conversations about the millions of dollars that were not going to go to the Democratic Party had Biden stayed the course. And now that Harris is in and will be the presumptive nominee, the spigots are on again and the money is flowing. I haven’t seen this much excitement for a candidate since a then Senator Barack Obama earned the nomination of the Democratic Party back in 2008.

Whether you like her not, for millions of Democrats, Kamala Harris represents a new era of leadership, one that is more inclusive and reflective of America’s diverse population. Within 24 hours, her candidacy has galvanized a broad coalition of voters, including women, People of Color, and young people. This renewed enthusiasm at the top of the ticket is going to have a ripple effect, energizing the base and increasing voter turnout, which is crucial for down-ticket candidates.

For states like California and counties like Los Angeles, the largest in the US, this is a game changer.

Californians have 11 ballot propositions on their November ballot. Among them, a controversial ballot proposition to repeal parts of Proposition 47 (Prop 47) and increase drug crime and theft penalties and allow a new class of crime to be called treatment-mandated felony, which gives offenders the option to participate in drug and mental health treatment.

Prop 47 was a ballot measure passed by California voters on in 2014 that made some non-violent property crimes, where the value does not exceed $950, into misdemeanors. It also made some simple drug possession offenses into misdemeanors and provided for past convictions for these charges to be reduced to a misdemeanor by a court. Under Prop 47, offenders qualified for a reduction from a felony to a misdemeanor for certain crimes including: certain forgeries, commercial burglary, petty theft with priors, bad check, grand theft crimes, possession of stolen property, and possession of a controlled substance.

Realistically, there is very little that could happen to keep California’s 54 electoral college votes from going to Harris—assuming she’s the nominee—a low voter turnout of Democrats would favor this conservative backed proposition.

Even though local races are “technically” nonpartisan in California, a similar fate was projected in the Los Angeles County’s district attorney race that sees progressive prosecutor Democrat George Gascón fighting to keep his job against former Republican turned No-Party-Preference Nathan Hochman. Hochman has been endorsed by at least 6 of the 9 people (excluding Gascón) that he ran against during the primary. Setting the stage for a second showdown between Gascón and seemingly everyone else who was on the ballot during the primary and has now lined up behind Hochman.

Harris’s historic candidacy as the first Black and South Asian woman on a major party’s presidential ticket holds immense symbolic value. Her presence has already mobilized minority voters who feel underrepresented in the political arena. Increased turnout among these demographics can significantly impact races at all levels which is going to be especially key for progressive candidates like Gascón and criminal justice reform measures on the November ballot whom these voters are more likely favor.

President Biden’s decision to step aside has opened the door for Kamala Harris to lead the Democratic ticket and give us a fighting chance to avoid another Trump presidency. The announcement of Harris as the potential nominee has raised more than $81 million in the 24-hour period since Biden’s announcement.

Facts. Harris’s candidacy has energized the base, already mobilized key voter demographics, and strengthened the party’s overall electoral chances. As we move towards the election, Harris is going to be a powerful catalyst for important down-ticket races. She was just the lifesaving move that had to happen in order to bring the Democratic Party back to life because all races on the ballot with Democrats were going to suffer had Biden stayed on the ticket. Now, on to November.

Jasmyne Cannick is a Democratic strategist and elected delegate to the LA County Democratic Party.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FL– Global superstar Ciara and NFL quarterback Russell Wilson celebrate their son Win’s fourth birthday with Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. It was Win’s first visit to Magic Kingdom Park and the family spent the rest of his magical day enjoying iconic attractions including the new Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. (Olga Thompson, photographer)