Samantha Sheppard

Associate professor of performing and media arts

Samantha Sheppard is an associate professor of cinema and media studies at Cornell University. She says Black women celebrity activism could be critical in the next few months of this election cycle.

Sheppard says:

“In the last few days, we've witnessed the power and purchase of Black voters, particularly Black women. Before President Biden stepped down, it was clear that Black voters would stand by him as he faced re-election. Now that Biden has stepped aside, we are witnessing the deep and vested interest of Black voters and women in supporting the presumed Democrat nominee Vice President Kamala Harris. 

“We are witnessing the unique role that Black women celebrities, who have been marginalized in their own industries, as they take center stage ​in the effort to support Vice President Harris. Last night's class #WinWithBlackWomen Zoom event included 40,000 Black women who discussed how they would support Harris, raising $1 million in four hours. Many Black women celebrities were on that call. 

“I think we're going to see and hear a groundswell of Black women celebrity ​activism. It has already begun. Kerry Washington, Viola Davis, Jennifer Lewis and others have pledged their support. These Black women celebrities are going to be the difference maker in pushing non-Black celebrities to be vocal and supportive of Harris. This is key. This has been a tough year for Black women in leadership (e.g., Claudine Gay). It's critical for Black women with platforms to work together to rise above the misogynoir that Harris will face.”

Riché Richardson

Associate professor of African American literature

Riché Richardson is a professor of African American literature and an expert in black feminism and gender studies. She comments on Harris' legacy.

"The prospect of Vice President Kamala Harris receiving the Democratic Party's nomination to run for president and also be elected as the first woman in this nation’s history to serve in that capacity is exciting, just as the momentum that she has generated in just the first week of campaigning is historic.

"As I have mentioned in my research, she is part of a long history and legacy of Black women emerging as national icons spanning back to the antebellum era, a pattern in the political arena that I trace from the post-Emancipation era that is the obverse of stereotypes recurrently linked to Black womanhood in areas such as advertising."