Exploring Kamala Harris's Academic Background and the Economic Tradition at Howard University

Kamala Harris's choice to major in economics at Howard University, a historically black college, is noteworthy given the underrepresentation of black individuals and women in this field. The statistics are stark, showing only 1,000 black men and 500 black women earned economics degrees in 2019, and a mere 1.6% of professional economists in the U.S. identify as African American. This context highlights Harris as an outlier. The economic tradition at Howard, shaped by figures like Abraham Harris Jr. and William Spriggs, has emphasized labor and social justice alongside mainstream economic topics. Harris's involvement in the Abraham Harris Economic Society connects her to a historical lineage that includes key civil rights figures. The economic curriculum at Howard has influenced the broader discourse surrounding the relationship between racial, class, and labor market disadvantages, with recent recognition from institutions like the Federal Reserve regarding the impact of labor market policies on black employment, particularly for black men. This underscores Howard's role in reshaping macroeconomic discussions in America through a lens that prioritizes equity and social justice.