In a show of support for Vice President Kamala Harris, approximately 40,000 Black women and HBCU graduates have united in excitement and raised over $1 million for Harris' presidential campaign. The prospect of electing the first Black woman, the first Indian American, and the first HBCU graduate to the presidency has ignited enthusiasm among these Alabama residents.

Despite being a traditionally deep-red state, Black women and HBCU graduates in Alabama are determined to stand behind Harris and potentially make a difference in down-ballot races. They believe that Harris, as a Howard University graduate and member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, can build a winning coalition of women, Black, and young voters if she secures the Democratic Party's nomination for president.

State Senator Merika Coleman and Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Tyson, both active members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, have swiftly moved to endorse Harris ahead of the Democratic National Convention. They consider their support for Harris as not only a celebration of sisterhood but also a call to action.

For Akiesha Anderson, a 15-year member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority and a former lobbyist in Alabama, Harris' candidacy has sparked much more excitement than Joe Biden's did. Anderson emphasized the significance of Harris being a member of the Divine Nine organizations and highlighted the potential influence and untapped voter base in Alabama, where 14 HBCUs are located.

Harris herself has acknowledged the impact that joining Alpha Kappa Alpha at Howard University had on her life, stating, "We know when we organize, mountains move. When we mobilize, nations change. And when we vote, we make history." Her message resonated with the 20,000 members who attended AKA's biennial boule in Dallas earlier this month.

As campaign contributions flood in for both Harris and former President Donald Trump, Democrats hope that the newfound interest in the presidential race will also sway down-ballot elections. One such race of importance is the newly-redrawn 2nd Congressional District, where Democratic candidate Shomari Figures has endorsed Harris, while his Republican opponent, Caroleene Dobson, has called for Biden's resignation.

Young and undecided voters hold a significant role in the upcoming election, and the question remains whether Harris can generate the same level of excitement among them as former President Barack Obama did in 2008. Trump, who initially seemed to be heading towards victory, has launched attacks on Harris, referring to her as "a lunatic" and a "California socialist."

Empowered and eager to make their voices heard, young Alabama residents like Imani Muse, Miss Birmingham, plan to register students to vote through organizations like the Blackburn Institute. Muse emphasizes that it is time for the younger generation to exert their political power.

The endorsements of Harris from prominent Alabama leaders, including Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed and Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, both graduates of Morehouse College and members of Divine Nine fraternities, are expected to resonate with voters.

Shalela Dowdy, a member of the Delta Sigma Theta sorority and a student at the Southern University Law Center, actively engages in voter education and advocacy through Stand Up Mobile, a nonprofit she founded. Dowdy sees the potential of Harris being the first Black woman, first HBCU graduate, and first Divine Nine member to hold the presidential seat as a testament to the leadership development within these organizations and institutions.

The support and representation of Black women and HBCU graduates in Alabama's political landscape bring pride and hope for a brighter future, one that acknowledges and amplifies the voices of underrepresented communities. As the election approaches, the impact of their collective efforts will be closely watched by experts.