Inaugural event to celebrate resiliency of Black Americans
DETROIT — The resiliency, culture and heroism of Black Americans and the African diaspora will beth ec entral theme of a virtual event Tuesday that will celebrate the nation's diversity on the eve of President-elect Joe Biden's inauguration.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is slated to speak at the event, “We Are One,” which will also honor the historic nature of her being the first Black and South Asian woman to become U.S. vice president.
Black voters nationwide helped deliver Biden's presidency, overwhelming ly supporting him from the start of his White House bid. Black-led organizing work across the nation galvanized voters of color and contributed to historic turnout in key battleground states.
Tony Allen, CEO of the inaugural committee, said the programming will “honor acts of resilience, heroism, and commitment to unity” f rom Black, Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities “as the coalitions that make up our nation come together to celebrate a new chapter in our history.”
Several of the nation's top Black leaders will deliver remarks, including House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn, a close ally of Biden whose endorsement in South Carolina wide ned Bid en' s winning margin and started his avalanche of March primary victories.
Among other speakers: Stacey Abrams, whose voter registration and education efforts helped flip Georgia blue for Biden; Rep. Cedric Richmond; Congressional Black Caucus Chair Rep. Joyce Beatty; Sen. Cory Booker; and the incoming senator from Georgia, Rev. Raphael Warnock.
The event will pay homage to the legacy of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities, as well as Black sororities and fraternities. Harris is the first HBCU graduate and Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority member to be vice president.