Kamala Harris’ Campaign Works To Reach Black Men With Voter Engagement Events

Black men, an underappreciated demographic, have again emerged as a key group of voters as the presidential race tightens.

Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign hosted a slew of events targeting Black men in Wisconsin this past week, part of an effort to drive turnout and prevent defections among a key voting bloc.

On Friday, former Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes led a rally at a major Black church in Milwaukee, before the campaign launched a canvas, gave out free haircuts at barbershops and hosted a happy hour for young professionals, wrapping everything up with a gospel brunch on Sunday.

The events illustrate how Democrats are increasingly targeting Black men, aiming both to counteract former President Donald Trump’s efforts to woo them with machismo and social conservatism, and to try to ensure that apathy brought on by years of inflation and low approval for President Joe Biden won’t result in low turnout.

The efforts are not limited to Wisconsin. In Michigan, a key state in the 2024 election, the Harris-Walz campaign has held more than 15 events since she announced her bid for president. The events have included barbershop visits and brunch events in cities like Detroit and Flint.

The campaign has hosted 10 organizing events in Black barbershops across Georgia, where Trump drew 11% of the Black vote in 2020. It’s also held events in Virginia and Pennsylvania, including a debate day event at a barbershop with local elected officials.