When President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, I was hosting my friends for a gathering in my home. We were all laughing and talking. 

Suddenly, a friend’s cellphone binged. She gasped as she read aloud the breaking news that Biden had dropped out. We were all stunned.

Moments later my cellphone chirped.  Text messages from my female family and friends flooded my phone. It was a notification for a Zoom meeting that night with black female Congressmembers, Democratic National Committee members and others like me; engaged black women who have spent a lifetime fighting, waiting, and overachieving for a chance to have “our turn.” The meeting was our way of seizing this historic moment and claiming our chance to support Harris.

I asked myself, as a black woman, “Is it finally our turn to govern at the highest level.” Can a woman of color be elected President during my lifetime? At first, I protectively did not even let my mind land on the answer of “yes.” But then I decided to have faith and embrace this dream.

Yes. Yes, this can happen because it is time for a new vision.

Vice President Kamala Harris is the Democratic Party’s likely nominee. Granted she’s arguably still a bit unknown to many Americans. Her achievements as San Francisco’s District Attorney, California’s Attorney General, and U.S. Senator are not widely known by the average American. Arguably, she has had struggles and successes as Vice President. However, she has also had to fight a deeper, harder battle as the target of consistent and vicious racial and gender based attacks. A staggering 78% of attacks on female politicians have been lobbed at her. I, like many Americans, believe in her strong credentials and know she is the best presidential candidate for our country.

My hope is that Americans take another, deeper look at Vice President Harris. In the next 100 days, give her the opportunity to earn your trust and showcase her accomplishments. Give her what has been historically easily afforded to others, especially white men, a fair chance.

Let Harris show you her vision for our country.  Let her rise.

See it on LinkedIn first.