Few people know Kamala Harris like we in the Bay Area do. We discuss Joe Biden’s selection of the former San Francisco district attorney and Oakland native as his running mate. We also hear from one of Kamala’s long-time mentees—another Bay Area political star—Lateefah Simon, who was hired by Kamala 20 years ago despite not having a college degree at the time. Simon, an award-winning nonprofit leader and elected official who is currently president of the Akonadi Foundation where she runs one of the leading racial justice foundations in the country, talks about what it’s like when your mentor becomes the Democratic vice presidential candidate. She also shares how Kamala’s belief in the potential of and encouragement of young women like herself is just one example of her commitment to improving society and the lives of others.

References:

Lateefah Simon - @lateefahsimon // Lateefah for BART https://www.lateefahforbart.com

Kamala Harris - @KamalaHarris

2009 Bart shooting - Oscar Grant https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shooting_of_Oscar_Grant

Organizations

Akonadi Foundation Website https://akonadi.org

Bart Board Website https://bart.gov/about/bod

MacArthur Fellows Program - Website https://macfound.org

Young Women’s Freedom Center Website https://youngwomenfree.org

Videos

Joe Biden Introduces Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) As Running Mate Clip https://youtube.com/watch?v=ymyY7jez0rM

Kamala Harris on George Floyd Clip https://youtube.com/watch?v=d_2KIrsaddA

Kamala Harris on her mother Clip https://twitter.com/mayaharris_/status/1293342255089168390