On Thursday, August 22, history was made. When Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the nomination for President of the United States, it was more than just a political moment; it was a powerful affirmation for Black girls across America. At a time when our stories are being removed from school libraries, our history and THEIR history are being erased from social studies curricula, and our identities are being attacked, Kamala Harris’ rise to this moment is nothing short of revolutionary.

For years, we’ve watched the rise of MAGA politics, where the validity of our natural hair is questioned, we’re stripped of control over our own bodies, our names are intentionally mispronounced, and misogynistic words like “stupid” are casually used to describe the Vice President of the United States. These aren’t just political moves—they’re personal insults to every black girl who dares to dream, speak her mind, and stand in her truth.

But as Vice President Harris spoke last night about her journey and her mother’s influence, something changed. Her words were a powerful reminder that despite all the challenges, despite all the attempts to silence and belittle us, we are here and we are strong.

I still remember my first encounter with Vice President Kamala Harris. It was March 2019, when she was still a Senator for California and running for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination. I was 16 years old, had just graduated with my bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University, and was preparing to start law school at SMU Dedman School of Law that fall. While she was traveling the country for her campaign, she came to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for an event, and I was asked to introduce her to the crowd. As you can imagine, I was nervous and spent weeks searching for the right words to express what she and her presidential campaign meant to Black girls across the country. When I stood up to speak to the 500-plus people in attendance, I shared my story and made it clear to the audience that Black girls were watching. I told the crowd that Kamala Harris is “Black Girl Magic” – a term that sums up the brilliance, strength and resilience of Black women and girls.

Backstage, before the event began, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with her. As I told her about my journey to law school, I could see that she was genuinely moved and proud, just as so many of us feel when we look up to her. But it wasn’t just her reaction that stuck with me—it was the way she took the time to connect with me, listen to me, and encourage me in a way that felt deeply personal. She told me to never doubt my ability to overcome any obstacle, and those words have stuck with me ever since. In that moment, Kamala Harris wasn’t just speaking to me—she was speaking to every Black girl who has ever been told her dreams were too big or her voice too loud. It was a clear demonstration of who Kamala Harris really is: a leader who understands the importance of her role and the impact she has on the next generation.

Her acceptance speech last night echoed the same message. Kamala Harris’s journey is a testament to what is possible when we don’t let others define us. She has shown us that we can pursue our wildest dreams, that we can break barriers, and that we can change the world by doing so.

Vice President Harris reminded us, “Don’t let anyone tell you who you are. Show them who you are.” That lesson resonates deeply, especially at a time when so many are trying to rewrite our history. Kamala Harris’ story is one of resilience and determination – qualities she learned from her mother, who, the Vice President recounted, was a “brilliant, 5-foot-8, brown woman with an accent” who taught her daughters never to complain about injustice, but to do something about it.

At a time when our rights are being taken away and our histories erased, Kamala Harris’ nomination is a beacon of hope. It reminds us that we are not just part of history – we are history. And that history is a story of resilience, strength, and unwavering belief in our ability to overcome anything.

As Black girls across America watched Kamala Harris accept the nomination last night, we were reminded that we are enough – just as we are. We were reminded that our votes matter, that our dreams are valid, and that our future is bright. We were reminded that we stand on the shoulders of giants, and that we can reach even higher thanks to women like Kamala Harris.

Together, we can write the next great chapter of the most extraordinary story ever told—the story of a nation where every Black girl knows she belongs, that she can achieve anything, and that her voice can change the world. Thank you, Vice President Harris, for showing us that our potential is limitless. Thank you for being a source of inspiration and reminding us that we belong in every room, on every stage, and in every place where decisions are made. Your journey is a powerful example of what it means to be Black Girl Magic, and thanks to you, we know that we, too, can help write the next great chapter of this extraordinary story.