Harris visited Detroit to engage Black voters, but skepticism persists.
During the vice president's sixth visit to Michigan as the Democratic nominee, the challenges that remain were brought to light.
TroibNews 
DETROIT — Kamala Harris made a return visit to the city this week, aiming to galvanize Black voters with an array of new policy proposals specifically designed for them. During a town hall led by popular radio host Charlamagne tha God, she addressed audience questions and concerns. The prominent event included an exclusive watch party at a Black-owned speakeasy for around 100 guests.
However, her efforts appeared to resonate less with residents outside the controlled political environment.
“She really be in and out,” remarked Ashley Johnson as she ordered from a Caribbean restaurant on Detroit's west side, noting that she hadn't yet caught the hour-long town hall but appreciated the community interaction with Charlamagne.
Despite this being her sixth visit to Michigan since announcing her presidential campaign, Harris still encounters challenges connecting with this crucial demographic, particularly with the impending Election Day fast approaching. Securing support from Detroit’s predominantly Black electorate is vital for her campaign, but current polls suggest her appeal among Black men is waning compared to Joe Biden's performance four years ago.
At the same time, former President Donald Trump is positioning himself to appeal to Black voters, with some recalling favorable memories of the economy during his presidency. Quaviaus Rodriguez, 45, a property manager, is among those supporting Trump.
“I turned myself from a convicted felon to owning over 25 houses in Detroit,” he told PMG. He expressed disappointment with Harris due to her past roles in law enforcement.
“Marijuana has been the gateway to lock younger Black brothers up and get them their start to a criminal history,” said Rodriguez, who shared his own experiences of being arrested three times for marijuana possession as a teenager.
Harris addressed these issues during her discussion with Charlamagne, defending her prosecutorial history. “I was the most progressive prosecutor in California on marijuana cases. And would not send and would not send people to jail for simple possession of weed,” she emphasized, mentioning her advocacy for Congress to reclassify cannabis.
Her newly unveiled "Opportunity Agenda for Black Men" seeks to facilitate entry into the legal recreational cannabis market for Black Americans, including those with prior marijuana convictions. The industry has been established in Michigan since 2018.
Still, that initiative does not impress Rodriguez, who feels it’s unlikely Harris will change his mind in the remaining days before the election.
Rodriguez reminisced about a Trump-led economy, echoing sentiments reflected in many polls showing Americans favoring Trump over Harris on economic matters. He felt compelled to overlook Trump’s disparaging comments about Detroit during a recent appearance.
“We’re a developing nation too. Just take a look at Detroit,” Trump had said while promoting his plan to bolster the U.S. auto industry.
Trump plans to return to Detroit for a campaign event on Friday, while Harris will follow with her own event on Saturday.
Beginning the week with a media outreach effort focused on Black media, Harris engaged with journalist Roland Martin and Justin Carter of The Shade Room. During the interviews, she deflected questions about former President Barack Obama's recent comments criticizing Black voters' lack of support for her campaign.
In her “Breakfast Club" interview, she noted, “I think what … is happening is that we are all working on reminding people what is at stake, and that is very important.”
This response did not deter Bert Johnson, a former Michigan state senator, who viewed the conversation as significant, likening it to a “good cop, bad cop” scenario.
“President Obama was pretty hard and she's demonstrating maybe a softer approach,” he observed in a gathering at Martin Evers Missionary Baptist Church in the Outer Drive-Hayes neighborhood.
“This is a moment for Black men to just stand by Black women, be quiet and look pretty,” he added, provoking laughter and sidelong glances from the group. “They've been doing it for us for decades, for centuries. This is a time for Black men to just be cool. Can you support a sista period? It's a good test.”
Mark Weldon, a Marine veteran and retired civil engineer, expressed different views, criticizing Harris on immigration: “She was the vice president. I felt like there could have been a better job of tightening that border up.” While he appreciates her proposals for Black entrepreneurs, including a plan to issue forgivable small business loans, he expressed concern over her support for gender reassignment surgery for inmates, claiming it conflicts with his spiritual beliefs.
In a recent Fox News interview with Brett Baier, Harris was asked about her stance on the controversial policy. “I will follow the law,” she replied, noting the legal provisions were in place during Trump's presidency.
At Cred Cafe, a space that transitions from a coffee shop by day to a speakeasy by night, a gathering of Harris supporters watched the town hall live stream. One supporter commented on Harris' skillful handling of topics ranging from reparations to the credit often given to Trump for pandemic-era stimulus checks.
“It was Congress that made that decision,” Harris clarified. “And then Donald Trump — never being one to pass up an opportunity to give himself credit when no credit is due — put his name on those checks.”
After the town hall concluded, the emcee announced a “special guest,” which generated excitement among attendees.
Harris made her entrance to the campaign's anthem, Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” and told the audience, “We will win.”
She expressed her admiration for Detroit, praising its residents' determination and grit: “This is a town of people who have grit, who have determination, and who have optimism and ambition and apply to that a lot of hard work, which makes Detroit a first-class city in the United States of America.”
Tommey Walker, founder of the successful apparel brand "Detroit vs. Everybody," presented Harris with a T-shirt featuring the brand.
"Now it's Detroit versus Donald Trump,” Walker declared, prompting cheers from her supporters.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
However, her efforts appeared to resonate less with residents outside the controlled political environment.
“She really be in and out,” remarked Ashley Johnson as she ordered from a Caribbean restaurant on Detroit's west side, noting that she hadn't yet caught the hour-long town hall but appreciated the community interaction with Charlamagne.
Despite this being her sixth visit to Michigan since announcing her presidential campaign, Harris still encounters challenges connecting with this crucial demographic, particularly with the impending Election Day fast approaching. Securing support from Detroit’s predominantly Black electorate is vital for her campaign, but current polls suggest her appeal among Black men is waning compared to Joe Biden's performance four years ago.
At the same time, former President Donald Trump is positioning himself to appeal to Black voters, with some recalling favorable memories of the economy during his presidency. Quaviaus Rodriguez, 45, a property manager, is among those supporting Trump.
“I turned myself from a convicted felon to owning over 25 houses in Detroit,” he told PMG. He expressed disappointment with Harris due to her past roles in law enforcement.
“Marijuana has been the gateway to lock younger Black brothers up and get them their start to a criminal history,” said Rodriguez, who shared his own experiences of being arrested three times for marijuana possession as a teenager.
Harris addressed these issues during her discussion with Charlamagne, defending her prosecutorial history. “I was the most progressive prosecutor in California on marijuana cases. And would not send and would not send people to jail for simple possession of weed,” she emphasized, mentioning her advocacy for Congress to reclassify cannabis.
Her newly unveiled "Opportunity Agenda for Black Men" seeks to facilitate entry into the legal recreational cannabis market for Black Americans, including those with prior marijuana convictions. The industry has been established in Michigan since 2018.
Still, that initiative does not impress Rodriguez, who feels it’s unlikely Harris will change his mind in the remaining days before the election.
Rodriguez reminisced about a Trump-led economy, echoing sentiments reflected in many polls showing Americans favoring Trump over Harris on economic matters. He felt compelled to overlook Trump’s disparaging comments about Detroit during a recent appearance.
“We’re a developing nation too. Just take a look at Detroit,” Trump had said while promoting his plan to bolster the U.S. auto industry.
Trump plans to return to Detroit for a campaign event on Friday, while Harris will follow with her own event on Saturday.
Beginning the week with a media outreach effort focused on Black media, Harris engaged with journalist Roland Martin and Justin Carter of The Shade Room. During the interviews, she deflected questions about former President Barack Obama's recent comments criticizing Black voters' lack of support for her campaign.
In her “Breakfast Club" interview, she noted, “I think what … is happening is that we are all working on reminding people what is at stake, and that is very important.”
This response did not deter Bert Johnson, a former Michigan state senator, who viewed the conversation as significant, likening it to a “good cop, bad cop” scenario.
“President Obama was pretty hard and she's demonstrating maybe a softer approach,” he observed in a gathering at Martin Evers Missionary Baptist Church in the Outer Drive-Hayes neighborhood.
“This is a moment for Black men to just stand by Black women, be quiet and look pretty,” he added, provoking laughter and sidelong glances from the group. “They've been doing it for us for decades, for centuries. This is a time for Black men to just be cool. Can you support a sista period? It's a good test.”
Mark Weldon, a Marine veteran and retired civil engineer, expressed different views, criticizing Harris on immigration: “She was the vice president. I felt like there could have been a better job of tightening that border up.” While he appreciates her proposals for Black entrepreneurs, including a plan to issue forgivable small business loans, he expressed concern over her support for gender reassignment surgery for inmates, claiming it conflicts with his spiritual beliefs.
In a recent Fox News interview with Brett Baier, Harris was asked about her stance on the controversial policy. “I will follow the law,” she replied, noting the legal provisions were in place during Trump's presidency.
At Cred Cafe, a space that transitions from a coffee shop by day to a speakeasy by night, a gathering of Harris supporters watched the town hall live stream. One supporter commented on Harris' skillful handling of topics ranging from reparations to the credit often given to Trump for pandemic-era stimulus checks.
“It was Congress that made that decision,” Harris clarified. “And then Donald Trump — never being one to pass up an opportunity to give himself credit when no credit is due — put his name on those checks.”
After the town hall concluded, the emcee announced a “special guest,” which generated excitement among attendees.
Harris made her entrance to the campaign's anthem, Beyoncé’s “Freedom,” and told the audience, “We will win.”
She expressed her admiration for Detroit, praising its residents' determination and grit: “This is a town of people who have grit, who have determination, and who have optimism and ambition and apply to that a lot of hard work, which makes Detroit a first-class city in the United States of America.”
Tommey Walker, founder of the successful apparel brand "Detroit vs. Everybody," presented Harris with a T-shirt featuring the brand.
"Now it's Detroit versus Donald Trump,” Walker declared, prompting cheers from her supporters.
Sophie Wagner contributed to this report for TROIB News
