Feb 28

Feb 28 Keep On Pushing

Vice President Kamala Harris At Hoyer 40th Annual Black History Month Celebration Encouraging Residents To Learn From Visionary Past Leaders And Move Forward

In 1981, the first year that Rep. Steny Hoyer has hosted his annual Black History Month breakfast, the Atlanta Child Slayings were emblazoned across national headlines. Four decades later, little has changed with racial assault and discrimination. But this year, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first black woman to become Vice President of the United States, joined the House Majority Leader in addressing what it might take to make sure things change for the better over the next 40 years.

You can watch the entire event by clicking here

The vice president called black history makers 'visionaries' and 'innovators' while encouraging ongoing recognition of the contributions of African Americans. "We celebrate Black History Month in January, in March, in April, and all year round. But, yes, every February we take a time, and a more formal time, to remember and honor those who came before us," she said.

“And they are and were the visionaries. They were the innovators. And why do I say ‘innovators,’? Because they had the ability, in their moment in time, to see what can be unburdened by what had been. They were the innovators and, of course, the barrier breakers and, of course, the history makers.”

“They were clear-eyed about the present and what needed to be done at that moment to create the future for which they had a vision,” Harris continued. “And so they told the truth then about what they saw at the time that they lived. And they worked to build a better future, a future unburdened by what had been.”

Hosted virtually, it was the first time in its 40 years history that the event was held online.

The event’s themes focused on Black families. The representative opened the breakfast with profound remarks regarding the course of the racial divide over the last 40years. Click here to see “1981-2021: This Struggle Remains.”

The veteran lawmaker discussed legislation, tax credits, racial equity, health care and the COVID-19 Relief package and more.

The Vice President also addressed minority communities and the need to embrace COVID-19 vaccines.

“So, right now, what are we looking at?” Harris asked. She noted a study recognizing that nearly one-third of African Americans know someone who was either hospitalized or died from the disease.

“We must not be overwhelmed,” Harris said. “We must not despair.”