Montgomery County, MD, Council Member Will Jawando shared his passionate opinion on why the African Diaspora must rally behind Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz. Jawando delivered his impassioned message during the African Diaspora for Harris mobilization call, alongside more than 30 influential speakers, including community organizers, state representatives, and activists such as Bozoma Saint John, Banky W, Segun Odulowu, and Ayo Tometi, who joined other African diaspora leaders.
As someone who served in the White House under President Obama, I witnessed firsthand the immense pressure of being the first. Obama, as the first Black president and the first president from the African diaspora, carried a weight that few can imagine. His and Michelle Obama’s speeches at the convention revealed a freedom they didn’t always have during the presidency—a freedom Kamala Harris is now uniquely positioned to embrace.
Kamala Harris steps into this moment not only aware of the history she carries but also poised to build upon it. She has the opportunity, and indeed the responsibility, to be bolder with her policy agenda, thanks to the groundwork laid by those who came before her. Her tenure in the White House will not just be a continuation of past efforts but a leap forward, particularly for communities that have long been marginalized.
One of Donald Trump’s first acts in office was to ban travel to many of our home countries—places where our families, friends, and parents reside, places many of us have lived. This action was a direct attack on the very fabric of our communities. Kamala Harris, however, understands these connections deeply. As a proud alumna of Howard University, a place that has taught Yoruba as a language for years, she embodies the intersection of African heritage and American identity. As a Nigerian-American, I recognize the significance of her understanding and advocacy.
Harris’s push for the trip to Ghana is just one example of her commitment. Not everyone in the White House was eager to make that trip happen, but Kamala did. She understands our community in a way that few politicians do. We are at an existential moment—everything our parents and grandparents immigrated to this country for, everything we’ve fought for, is on the line. The divisive agenda that Trump has pushed threatens the very core of why we came here—for a better life, for better education.
But Kamala Harris is not just the right candidate because of what she represents; she’s the right candidate because she understands us on a deeply personal level. With the freedom to push a bold, progressive agenda, she can disproportionately benefit the African diaspora. And let’s be clear: when you help the African diaspora, when you help Black people, you uplift all people of color. It’s a rising tide that lifts all boats in our diverse, multiracial, multi-ethnic society.
However, this isn’t just about Kamala—this is about all of us. As Michelle Obama reminded us, we must do more than celebrate a successful convention. We must act. We need to reach out to everyone we know, whether they’re back home or here in the U.S. Get on WhatsApp, talk to your friends and family, and ensure that everyone you know—at least 10 people—has a voting plan, has donated, and is involved in grassroots advocacy. My own mother who is 68 years old and recovering from breast cancer is making these calls. That’s the level of commitment we need from everyone.
With just a few days left until the election, the question is: What are you going to do? It’s not enough to be on these mobilization calls or to feel good about the bump in ratings from the convention. You must take action every day. The future of the continent is on the line, our lives here at home are on the line, and Kamala will be a bold president for us—but only if we make sure she gets there.
