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Vice President Kamala Harris to offer keynote speech at NAACP Convention in Boston

Vice President Kamala Harris, seen in Boston last year, could be even more vital if President Biden wins re-election in 2024.   (Chris Christo/Boston Herald/TNS)
By Chris Van Buskirk Boston Herald

Vice President Kamala Harris plans to travel to Boston later this month to address the NAACP’s national convention scheduled to take place in the Seaport, the White House said Thursday morning.

The convention is “one of the few places” where Americans can engage with some of the nation’s most influential voices, said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. The week-long convention is scheduled to run from July 26 to Aug. 2 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center.

“I am confident that Vice President Harris’ presence at convention will further motivate our members and supporters’ continued fight for racial justice across all 50 states,” Johnson said in a statement. “We look forward to hearing from the Vice President on how the administration is enacting its commitment to addressing the issues that are top-of-mind for Black America.”

The White House said Harris plans to address the conference on July 29 as part of a multi-day “whirlwind” trip where she is scheduled to attend multiple conventions and conferences. Harris also plans stops in Chicago on July 16, July 24, and Aug. 1; in Indianapolis on July 20; and in Orlando on Aug. 1, according to the White House.

“From visits to Florida and Massachusetts to Illinois and Indiana, the vice president will continue her leadership while ensuring communities and constituencies not only have their voices heard but that they have a seat at the table in the Biden-Harris administration,” a White House statement said.

Harris offered a keynote speech at last year’s NAACP convention in Atlantic City. The vice president focused her remarks on abortion rights, gun restrictions, and reducing high maternal mortality rates for people of color.

Multiple presidents and vice presidents have addressed the NAACP Convention over the past 100-plus years.

Harris was in Boston in September 2022 to celebrate Labor Day and attend the Greater Boston Labor Council Breakfast. She also appeared on stage in November 2022 with Attorney General Andrea Campbell and Gov. Maura Healey as they were campaigning for office.

President Joe Biden visited Boston in September 2022 to deliver remarks on his goal of “ending cancer as we know it.” He also met with the Prince of Wales, who was in town to push for action on climate change.