DETROIT — Harris will appear at an event hosted by the Detroit chapter of the NAACP. She plans to meet with Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the NAACP’s Detroit branch, and other faith leaders in an event focused on voter turnout. The former vice president will also attend a roundtable on Black maternal health with El-Sayed in the Detroit area.

The schedule includes a private reception with Michigan leaders hosted by the Oakland County Democratic Party and its chair, former US Rep. Brenda Lawrence. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jocelyn Benson is expected to speak at the Oakland County Democratic Party reception.

Abdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan. He faces Republican nominee Mike Rogers in the general election. The incumbent Democratic Senator in Michigan, Gary Peters, is retiring, creating an open seat for the 2026 contest.

El-Sayed is a former public health official in Wayne County who advocates for universal healthcare. His policy positions include opposition to U.S. arms sales to Israel. El-Sayed described the war in Gaza as a genocide against Palestinians, an accusation that Israel rejects regarding its actions in the region.

The candidate has apologized for some past controversial comments and said he is committed to Jewish safety. El-Sayed initially supported the 'Uncommitted' movement in Michigan's Democratic primary but eventually supported Harris as the Democratic nominee.

Anthony expressed support for the current campaign efforts. "People like the fact that this African American woman who was vice president, for the first time in the nation’s history, is coming back to the ‘D’ to talk to us about the importance of voting." Anthony added, "I think he’s a good man. I really believe that. I think that he’s saying some of the right things."

El-Sayed emphasized the importance of unity in his approach to the race. "I think it’s important that we bring different groups of people together. The thing about democracy is — it’s not about dividing. It’s about bringing people together," El-Sayed said.

He also noted his appreciation for Harris's involvement. "I’m grateful for the folks that she’s willing to talk to on our behalf," El-Sayed said.

Harris served as the 49th vice president of the United States from 2021 to 2025 under President Joe Biden. She was the first Black person to serve as vice president and the first Black woman to be a major-party presidential nominee. Harris campaigned against Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election but lost the 2024 presidential election in Michigan on November 5, 2024.

Harris has not commented on her plans to run for president in 2028, though she has stated publicly that she is 'thinking about it' regarding a 2028 presidential run. Anthony commented on the future political landscape. "Nobody has a lock on anything when it comes to the 2028 primary," Anthony said. Harris is planning to campaign with Democrats in Nevada and Georgia in the coming weeks.

Timeline

In August 2024, voters in Wayne County supported Rep. Haley Stevens over Abdul El-Sayed in the August Democratic primary. On November 5, 2024, Kamala Harris lost the 2024 presidential election in Michigan. On that same date, November 5, 2024, Kamala Harris campaigned against Republican Donald Trump in the 2024 presidential election. The official record of the event states that Kamala Harris will attend an event hosted by the Detroit chapter of the NAACP on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.

What's New

Later reporting indicates that Kamala Harris plans to meet with Rev. Wendell Anthony, president of the NAACP’s Detroit branch, and other faith leaders in an event focused on voter turnout. Additional details show that Kamala Harris will attend a private reception with Michigan leaders hosted by the Oakland County Democratic Party and its chair, former US Rep. Brenda Lawrence.

Further context reveals that Abdul El-Sayed eventually supported Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee after he initially supported the 'Uncommitted' movement in Michigan's Democratic primary. Reports also state that Kamala Harris has stated publicly that she is 'thinking about it' regarding a 2028 presidential run.

News.com, the Black community in Michigan is directly affected by the events, particularly Black women who are the focus of the Black maternal health discussions during Kamala Harris's campaign activities. Background information confirms that the incumbent Democratic Senator in Michigan, Gary Peters, is retiring. It also notes that Abdul El-Sayed is a former public health official in Wayne County.

Why It Matters

Harris's engagement focuses on specific demographic groups, as the Black community in Michigan is directly affected by the events, particularly Black women who are the focus of the Black maternal health discussions. The visit also shows the ongoing political relevance of Harris, who served as vice president from 2021 to 2025 and remains active in Democratic campaigns despite her 2024 presidential election loss in the state.