Vice President Kamala Harris made a visit to Dallas on Wednesday, addressing around 20,000 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), a historically Black sorority, at their annual convention held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Harris, an alumna of AKA, wore the sorority's signature pink attire as she delivered a speech to shore up President Biden's support among Black Americans—a crucial demographic heading into the upcoming elections.

Despite concerns among national Democrats about their presidential ticket, Harris emphasized the Biden administration's accomplishments during her visit. Democrats like U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin have openly expressed worries that Biden's potential loss in the election could have negative effects on down-ballot races, including the Senate election in Texas.

In addition to Harris' visit, President Biden also plans to head to Texas soon. On Monday, he will speak at the Lyndon Baines Johnson Presidential Library in Austin to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. Although Texas has not been specifically targeted as a battleground state, both Biden and Harris have made previous visits to the state during their tenure.

During her keynote speech in Dallas, Harris acknowledged the impact of Hurricane Beryl on Southeast Texas and the subsequent power outages affecting millions. She reassured the audience that President Biden had approved a major disaster declaration and pledged continued support for the people of Texas as they rebuild and recover.

Recognizing the importance of Black voters, particularly Black women, as a critical bloc of Democratic voters, Harris has been actively seeking to shore up support. Prior to her Dallas appearance, she attended Essence Fest in New Orleans over the weekend. Texas is home to nearly 3 million eligible Black voters, the highest count among all states, accounting for approximately 14% of all eligible voters.

Harris used her speech in Dallas to announce new federal guidelines on postpartum care in hospitals, drawing attention to the higher rates of maternal mortality faced by Black women. She also addressed reproductive rights, highlighting recent abortion bans passed in states like Texas. Harris emphasized that the government should not dictate what a woman does with her body and stated, "One does not have to abandon their faith to agree."

In other news, the upcoming Texas Tribune Festival in downtown Austin from September 5-7 will feature distinguished individuals such as director and screenwriter Richard Linklater, NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher, U.S. Rep. Pete Aguilar of California, and Luci Baines Johnson, among others.

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