Amid a landmark gathering that showcased the unity and influence of the African diaspora, Bozoma Saint John—a renowned marketing executive and first-generation American of Ghanaian descent—rallies African Diasporans behind Kamala Harris’s 2024 Bid. Emphasizing personal connection, strategic mobilization, and the power of collective narratives, Saint John highlighted the profound impact Harris’s election could have on minority communities both in the United States and around the world.
The Hall of Fame-inducted” marketing professional, entrepreneur and author acknowledged that while policy discussions are important, the heart of the campaign should be a personal mission to enhance the experiences of those living in the U.S. “It feels like a very exciting time because, you know, I love the fact that we mobilize for so much—including this very moment in time.”
Drawing from her own life experiences, Bozoma shared, “I am a first-generation American. I know what it feels like to be in the U.S. and to grow up in a way that makes you feel ‘other.'” Embracing her dual identity, she added, “I don’t deny being Ghanaian (yay to the Ns on the call!).” She noted a recurring sentiment in political campaigns that can make individuals feel as if they don’t belong—a sentiment she felt during Barack Obama’s campaign and sees resurfacing now.
Electing Kamala Harris is not just about politics; it’s about elevating the entire community. “In the effort to elect Kamala Harris to office, we are actually also elevating ourselves,” she asserted. Bozoma stressed the importance of shaping narratives, emphasizing that how Harris is perceived reflects on all who share her heritage. “As a marketer by trade and by practice, I understand that narratives are extraordinarily important to how we are seen in the world.”
The former Global CMO of both Netflix and Endeavor urged the diaspora to view the campaign through a personal lens, highlighting the urgency of self-preservation. “The conversations that are being had around this campaign, both aloud and behind the scenes, affect us in ways that will be detrimental if we don’t activate,” she warned. “We have to put in the effort as a diaspora to ensure that what I would call one of our own is also in office.”
She recounted a moment of immense pride when she joined Vice President Harris during her official visit to Ghana last March. “It was one of the moments of pride when I stood up and sang both the U.S. national anthem and the Ghanaian national anthem,” she reflected. Unapologetic about her “dualness,” Bozoma emphasized how her heritage informs her work, personal life, and advocacy. “I have never been shy about proclaiming my dualness and using that in all of the efforts that I have around my work and in my personal life and otherwise.”
Bozoma also stressed the collective responsibility in shaping perceptions and outcomes. “We need to make it personal. This is not just a conversation where you can get caught up in the weeds about policy and what she’s going to do for the greater good,” she noted. “The way that she is seen is the way that we are all seen.”
The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills cast encouraged active participation and vigilance. “You don’t want to pretend as if the conversations that are happening are not about us,” she stated. “The only mission that I have right now is to ensure that the narratives that are being told about Vice President Harris as she campaigns to the White House make sure that we are being seen in the best light, because what happens to her happens to us, and let’s not make any mistake about it.”
Bozoma call for the African diaspora to engage personally and proactively in the political process—recognizing the power of collective action—not only underscores the broader significance of Vice President Harris’s campaign for communities striving for recognition and inclusion but also highlights the pivotal role the African diaspora can play in shaping the future political landscape of the United States.
