The Wiltern rang with chatter as audience members awaited former Vice President Kamala Harris to take the stage on October 28. In a conversation moderated by “Scandal” star Kerry Washington, Harris returned to Los Angeles to discuss her recent book “107 Days,” which documented her historic 2024 United States presidential campaign.
Harris was greeted with a standing ovation before using moments of laughter, hope and solemnness to detail her historic presidential run. Harris said she wrote “107 Days” as a “journal of collective journey” that chronicled the challenges and triumphs she faced as the first Black woman to secure a major party’s nomination.
“It was really intense. I did not allow myself any time to reflect during those 107 days. There was no room for that,” said Harris. “That day happened. I needed to move on to the next day.”
Washington assured Harris that she had done everything in her power to win. Cheers rang throughout the audience in support of Harris. Eerie silence followed as Harris detailed the most difficult chapter in the book to write: election night.
“The most difficult chapter in the entire book to write was about election night. And I will share with you the experience that Doug [Emhoff] and I had — to say that it was traumatic for a multitude of reasons,” said Harris. “ It took me a while to be able to process what happened, and then I started writing.”
On election day, Harris and former First Gentleman Emhoff returned to Washington, D.C., where family and friends gathered to support them. Unbeknownst to Harris, Emoff received information from a Fox News commentator that she was not favored to win. This became her fate as Harris delivered a concession speech at her alma mater, Howard University, the following day.
Harris said that she struggled to reconcile with the outcome, but even after the loss, her dedication to fighting was unwavering.
“The next day, I had to give a speech I did not intend to give… I’m battling how am I going to reconcile this for all of the people who believe in this?” said Harris. “Literally on my way to Howard, I rode into the street [and thought of] something I also believe, which is that sometimes the fight takes you somewhere else, but we don’t give up. We don’t stop fighting.”
CEO of Rise Financial Pathways Forescee Hogan-Rowles said Harris’ work served as a reminder of the challenges Black women in leadership often experience. Hogan-Rowles worked on Harris’s attorney general campaign team and later ran for political office herself. In these experiences, Hogan-Rowles learned the importance of taking space and moving with confidence as a Black woman.
“I’ve actually been on the campaign trail with her when she first ran for attorney general… It was a lot of what I have experienced as a black woman running for office when she was pointing out that often you may be the only one in the room that looks like you,” Hogan-Rowles said. “You’ve got to take a stand and really take control of the room, and be sure that your presence is honest and that your integrity comes through.”
Washington asked Harris if she intended to run for the 2028 presidential election. Cheers rang throughout The Wiltern as audience members chanted “Kamala. Kamala.”
Harris said she is undecided. Instead, she is focused on hearing the needs of the country at a time when there is distrust in the government, leadership and people.
“I’ve had the chance to spend time and listen. I want to do it in a way that is not transactional – where I’m there because I want somebody’s vote,” said Harris. “There was so much trauma people experienced during the pandemic that led to distrust in systems [and] distrust in the government because they were failed during that time of need. But there’s also this other piece of trust right now in our country that’s valid: the distrust between and among the American people… Can I trust that you are not a threat to my very existence?”
USC alum Donna Jackson-Houston said she cannot fathom what Harris has endured in her run for office as a Black woman in leadership. She is hopeful that Harris will run for the presidency again in 2028.
“I’m speaking from an older Black woman, and I can only imagine what she has gone through to be where she is. She has mindful support. Millions of people support her,” said Jackson-Houston. “I’m very much proud of her and want to give her the power to continue rising. I’m very much looking forward to her leadership, being the president, and supporting the people.“
During the Q&A section, 21-year-old Bravo Chavoya shared his plans to run for city council in 2028 and asked Harris for campaign advice as a young Latino running his first campaign. Harris advised Chavoya to navigate leadership with confidence and pride.
“You are going to find that there will be many situations in which you walk in a room and you are the only one who looks like you or who has had your life experience,” said Harris. “You walk in with your chin up and your shoulders back. And you remember that everyone who is applauding you now – we’re all in that room with you and we expect a lot from you. You’re going to use the voice of all the people who are so proud of you. Stay in touch and I’m going to talk about it from there.”