Howard University’s showtime marching band escorted Vice President Kamala Harris to the White House during Wednesday’s inaugural parade as its president Wayne Frederick said it was a “great day” for Howard, for our country, and the African-American community.
Harris, an alumna of Howard University, graduated with a political science and economics degree in 1986, before studying law at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.
In addition to being the nation’s first Black, first female and first South Asian vice president, she is the first graduate of a historically black college or university to hold the post.
“Harris’ ascendence is a powerful symbol of the progress our country has made,” Frederick said in a statement on Wednesday, January 20.
“That a Black woman can rise to hold the second most powerful office in the entire country, especially in the midst of continuing inequality, injustice and intolerance, is a decisive testament to our country’s values and its future trajectory. Yes, we have more work to do to bring about greater equality, justice and tolerance and to ensure that our country is indeed moving forward on the right and righteous path. But today is a reminder of the great American potential should we all continue to dedicate ourselves toward realizing a better society,” he continued.
A surreal experience on an auspicious day. Looking forward to being a first-hand witness to history being made as @KamalaHarris is inaugurated as Vice President. It’s a great day to be a Bison! #HUProud pic.twitter.com/DBnkeXvWBU
— Wayne A. I. Frederick (@HUPrez17) January 20, 2021
Frederick stated that Harris was much more than a symbol for her gender and race, with her personal attributes, unique charisma, intellect and experience that helped her become the country’s vice president.
“From her days as an undergraduate economics and political science student at Howard, it was clear that Harris was bound for greatness,” according to the university’s president.
“No longer does anyone have the right to tell Black boys and girls to set their sights lower, to dream smaller, to be more realistic. We need only point to Kamala Harris when telling our children that anything they can imagine, they can achieve,” Frederick added.
Following Harris’ election as vice president in the November 3, 2020, election, Frederick had said “A new dawn has broken in America” in a letter to Howard University community.