Kamala Harris is hitting the campaign trail, trying to win over Black voters, but it looks like her wallet’s a bit tight when it comes to supporting Black vendors. The buzz is getting louder, and according to NOTUS [1], the non-profit newsroom “News of the United States,” vendors are frustrated that they’ve been pushed to the sidelines.
Back in 2020, Black-owned firms were reportedly getting a piece of the action but now that it’s 2024, those same firms are reportedly still waiting for their invitation to the Kamala cash flow party – and time is running out.
NAACP President Derrick Johnson has had enough. He hopped on a call with Harris’ principal deputy campaign manager and asked a simple question: “Where’s the money, and why isn’t it flowing to the Black vendors that helped you out last time?” After an awkward back and forth, the NAACP leader was left with more questions than answers. It seems the campaign’s financial priorities are not where they should be, according to some.
Black vendors want in but the door is locked.
Black vendors aren’t just sitting back though; they want in on the action. They helped build the foundation of the Democrats’ messaging in 2020, and now they feel like they’ve been ghosted. With some polls showing Black voter support dropping for Kamala, you’d think the Harris campaign would be throwing money at anyone who can help, especially the Black media experts who know how to connect with their base.
But nope, the campaign is spending about 25% less on Black paid media than during the pandemic.
It’s all about the Benjamins, baby.
Cedric Richmond, co-chair of both the discontinued Biden campaign and now on board with the Harris campaign has called out the vendors saying they just want contracts. “They’re making noise because they want money,” Richmond says. Well, duh!
But somehow, the Harris campaign is either missing the memo or assuming they can get by without shelling out for Black vendors this time around even though the money seems to be flowing everywhere else hand-over-fist.
In the end, it’s simple: Black vendors want in, Kamala needs their help, and the only thing standing between them is a check that apparently hasn’t been signed yet. And there’s not much time left to get it.