Harris advocates for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Atlanta tour

Vice President Kamala Harris traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, on Monday for the first stop in her “Nationwide Economic Opportunity Tour,” where she defended government diversity programs that Republicans have often targeted as unnecessary and discriminatory.

Harris has emerged as a top surrogate for the president ahead of the 2024 general election, specifically targeting black groups in a number of battleground states. The vice president stated Monday that she planned to take her equity tour soon to both Wisconsin and Michigan, and she implored a group of black entrepreneurs to help “get the word out” regarding Biden’s economic priorities.

Upon landing in Atlanta, Harris attended a briefing at the Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit “business generator” assisting black business owners in Atlanta, where she spoke with a number of business owners who had received assistance from grants funded by Biden’s American Rescue Plan.

And later in the day, she took part in a moderated discussion in College Park on the administration’s “ongoing” efforts to promote economic equity. Harris specifically pushed back on efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by Republicans across the country.

“In spite of those who in certain parts of our country want to attack DEI, we understand that you can’t truly invest in the strength of our nation if you don’t pay attention to diversity, equity, and inclusion,” she stated. “Be proud of your ambition, have ambition, dream with ambition. Do not ever be burdened by other people’s limited ability to see what is possible. Don’t let that burden you.”

The vice president pointed directly to Biden’s efforts to reduce barriers to purchasing homes, claiming that homeownership is the “most effective way to build intergenerational health,” before asking for help from those in the room to help sell the administration’s agenda on student loan and medical debt forgiveness.

“I guess that gets to the heart of this tour and everything else we’re doing,” Harris declared. “Folks, in a lot of situations, just don’t know what’s available to them, and I need the help of the leaders who are here to get the word out so people know what is available to them.”

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You can watch Harris’s remarks in full below.