Kamala Harris Made a Surprise Appearance at the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards

The Howard grad encouraged viewers to uplift historically Black colleges and universities.

Kamala Harris made a surprise appearance on the 2020 BET Hip Hop Awards on Tuesday to deliver an important message. Not only did the democratic vice presidential candidate show up to encourage people to vote—with only a week until Election Day—but “as a proud HBCU alum and a graduate of Howard University” herself, she also used the time to lift up historically Black colleges and universities.

“I know there is nowhere like an HBCU campus to fully appreciate the power, the dignity and the diversity of the voices in our country. It’s where so many of us go to strengthen our voices, to pursue our dreams, and explore our roles in the fight for justice,” she said.

Harris continued, addressing the particularly challenging moment we’re in and why it’s important to uplift Black voices right now and always.

“As a country, we face enormous challenges. And now more than ever, we need Black scientists and engineers and doctors and teachers and public servants to help us build the shared future that we all deserve,” she said.

So let’s support our HBCUs. Let’s lift up our voices for a better future.

Harris’ appearance was followed by 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne performing their song “Money Maker,” which was dedicated to HBCUs. 2 Chainz kept the message going at the beginning of his performance, encouraging everyone to support Black life and get out the vote.

“One: Thank God. Two: Shout out to all the HBCUs out there. Three: Lock up the officers that killed Breonna Taylor. And four: Make sure you go vote,” he said.

If you haven’t yet voted or made your voting plan, check here for everything you need to know about voting in the 2020 election.

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