At the White House on Feb. 13, Vice President Kamala Harris addressed the descendants of some of the most influential civil rights leaders
, who convened in the same room for the first time, according to NBC News.The gathering included families with legacies rooted in the struggles and triumphs of the 1950s and ’60s, echoing the monumental contributions of their ancestors.
Among the esteemed attendees were descendants of Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Ida B. Wells, Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, Emmett Till, Thomas Jefferson, and Sally Hemings.
This group, known as The Descendants, gathered to celebrate Black History Month
and reflect on the enduring impact of their familial legacies.Harris lauded the group as “extraordinary American heroes” who embodied the nation’s promise and the principles captured in the Constitution.
“They’ve passed the baton to us,” said Harris, acknowledging the weight of responsibility carried by The Descendants to continue the fight for justice, equality, and civil rights.
Following Harris, Stephen K. Benjamin, the director of the White House Office of Public Engagement, provided an overview of the administration’s initiatives. This included updates on a recently signed executive order addressing police accountability and President Joe Biden’s historic move to declare Juneteenth a federal holiday.
The Descendants, whose members actively coordinate behind the scenes, expressed their appreciation for the event and the significance of bringing these families together. Joshua Jordison, one of the coordinators, said discussions about organizing the gathering began several years ago.
“We stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” said Kenneth B. Morris Jr., a descendent of Frederick Douglass and Anna Murray Douglass, adding that “freedom’s torch has been passed to us.”
While invitations were extended to other notable families, some couldn’t attend due to scheduling constraints.
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