In her convention speech accepting the nomination as the Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris paid tribute to her father, Dr. Donald J. Harris, a prominent economist who has largely been a footnote in her personal and political story. She recounted how her father's words of encouragement from her childhood inspired her to be fearless and shaped her path in life.

Dr. Donald J. Harris, the first Black scholar to receive tenure in Stanford University's economics department, turned 86 the day after his daughter delivered her landmark speech at the Democratic National Convention. Although he was not present at the convention, his influential role in Kamala Harris's life was acknowledged with gratitude.

The relationship between Kamala Harris and her father has always been a closely guarded part of her life, spoken about sparingly. Her 2019 memoir, "The Truths We Hold," only briefly mentioned him a few times. However, in her speech, she highlighted the impact he had on her upbringing and values.

From her earliest years, Dr. Harris taught Kamala to be fearless, ensuring that she would never shy away from challenges. Despite their not being close, Kamala Harris emphasizes that her father's teachings played a significant role in shaping her character and ambitions.

While Kamala's parents divorced when she was in elementary school, her mother was primarily responsible for raising her and her sister, Maya Harris. Kamala credits her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, with instilling her fighting spirit, strength, and courage. She holds her mother's legacy dear and considers being Shyamala's daughter as her most cherished honor.

In her convention speech, Kamala Harris also acknowledged the profound influence of her mother, who immigrated to California from India with the dream of becoming a scientist to cure breast cancer. Sadly, Shyamala Gopalan Harris passed away in 2009 from colon cancer at the age of 70. Kamala expressed how deeply she misses her mother but believes that she is watching over her with pride.

Dr. Harris, on the other hand, has largely refrained from commenting on his daughter's political ascent, except for 2019 when he criticized a comment she made referencing her Jamaican roots and marijuana use. At 86 years old, he continues to remain a professor emeritus at Stanford University, maintaining a quiet presence in academia.

In an essay published in a Jamaican publication in 2018, Dr. Harris wrote about the custody battle that led to an "abrupt halt" in his interactions with his children in 1972. He attributed the separation to the false assumption that fathers, especially Black fathers like him from the islands, couldn't handle parenting. Nevertheless, he persisted in his love and responsibilities as a father to his two daughters.

Dr. Harris fondly reflected on the trips he took with his daughters to Jamaica, imparting wisdom that he learned from his experiences. He highlighted the importance of not forgetting those left behind due to social neglect or lack of access to resources, emphasizing the need for greater equity and privilege.

The convention speech provided a rare glimpse into the personal connection Kamala Harris has with her father and the significant role he played in shaping her worldview. His words of encouragement to be fearless resonated with her throughout her life, empowering her to take on unlikely journeys and aspire to the highest elected office in the country.

As Kamala Harris continues her historic journey as the vice president, it becomes evident that the experiences and influences from her parents, particularly her father, have shaped her into the trailblazer she is today.