The Impact Report: Kamala Harris’s Advice to Democrats, New Alarming Polling Data About Black Women, HBCU Boost, Black Unemployment
From viral soundbites to sweeping policies, the world is undergoing rapid shifts. As headlines bounce between courtroom drama and campaign rallies, it’s easy to miss how every move is already reshaping the lives of Black Americans.
The Impact Report is your weekly breakdown of what is happening from Capitol Hill to the campaign trail—and how those actions affect our communities. Whether it's a Supreme Court ruling, a policy proposal, or a speech riddled with misinformation, we're sifting through the chaos to present you with an accurate and thoroughly researched report.
Kamala Harris Opens Up in New Book
Former Vice President Kamala Harris is causing a stir with her new memoir, 107 Days. The book offers a glimpse into her short-lived 2024 presidential campaign and recalls some of her biggest political moments.
In one of the book’s most striking revelations, Harris admits she wrestled with whether to confront then-President Joe Biden about seeking re-election. “Was that grace to not bring it up to him, or was it reckless? And, on my part, I do reflect on that and feel that it was … a recklessness about not raising it with him," she said on Good Morning America.
Biden eventually dropped out of the race and endorsed Harris, but the book has stirred debate within the Democratic Party. Former Obama adviser David Axelrod called it a “bad strategy.”
Why it matters: This book is a part of American history, and our almost president deserves to share her perspective, even if it ruffles some feathers in the process.
Black Women Voters Signal Alarm
The Highland Project has released its Fall 2025 Poll of Black Women Voters in America, and the results are sobering. Dissatisfaction with the country remains at a historic high, with 8 in 10 Black women saying the U.S. is worse off than it was three or four years ago.
Nearly 90% of respondents say economic conditions are worse than during the height of the pandemic. More than half report their wages are falling behind, half have faced job losses, and almost half say they aren’t financially ready to retire.
But the concerns go deeper than money. Respondents cited the erasure of Black history, rising costs, and the erosion of voting rights as urgent issues. “Black women are not just warning us about the economy,” said Gabrielle Wyatt, founder of The Highland Project, in a statement shared with BET. “They are warning us about the state of our collective future.”
Why it matters:This new polling data gives a qualitative look at a powerful group of voters that is systematically attempting to be erased: Black women.
MacKenzie Scott’s $70M Gift to HBCUs
In a huge boost for historically Black colleges and universities, billionaire philanthropist MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund. Each of UNCF’s 37 private member schools will receive a $5 million stake in the pooled endowment.
UNCF President Michael L. Lomax called the donation “extraordinary” and said it’s “a powerful vote of confidence in HBCUs and in the work of UNCF.”
Why it matters: Once again, Scott has demonstrated what servant leadership looks like and, more importantly, the power of philanthropy.
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Black Unemployment Reaches 7.5%
New federal data shows Black unemployment rose to 7.5% in August, its highest level since October 2021 and more than double the rate for white workers.
Economists warn this could be a sign of a broader economic slowdown, as job cuts in the federal workforce and tariff-related uncertainty continue to hit Black communities hard. “If it’s steadily starting to go up, that portends that the economy might be heading toward a downturn,” said Gbenga Ajilore, chief economist at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Why it matters: Black unemployment usually signals the true health of a country.
