Alpha Kappa Alpha, Kamala Harris' sorority, launches political action committee

WASHINGTON - Alpha Kappa Alpha, a historically Black sorority that claims Vice President Kamala Harris as its most prominent member, launched its own political action committee allowing the group to raise money for political candidates.

The sorority is part of the Divine Nine, nine historically Black fraternities and sororities with nearly two million people that play a key role in mobilizing Black suburban and middle class voters.

The latest effort comes as both Harris and former President Donald Trump are seeking to shore up support from Black voters in the general election.

A day after Biden dropped out of the race, the Divine Nine Council of Presidents said in a statement that they “met and agreed to meet this critical moment in history with an unprecedented voter registration, education and mobilization coordinated campaign.”

“This campaign will activate the thousands of chapters and members in our respective organizations to ensure strong voter turnout in the communities we serve,” they said, without naming specific candidates.

Harris has often been outspoken about the Divine Nine, telling USA TODAY in a statement in 2019 that “Throughout your life, you find friends who become family and – like family – they help shape you and your life experiences. "For me, that was the women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. who became my sisters."

Contributing: Terry Collins and Taylor Ardrey

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kamala Harris' sorority, AKA, launches political action committee