Supporters of Vice President Kamala Harris had gathered at Howard University in Washington, D.C., on election night for what many expected to be a victory celebration. Harris was scheduled to appear at her alma mater, but as election results began to show a likely Trump victory, a senior Harris campaign official told the crowd near midnight that Harris would not be speaking, and would instead arrive the next day. A smaller, somber group returned to the campus to hear Harris Wednesday.
Photographer Barbara Davidson captured the mood on both days. “It was electric,” she said of the first hours on election night as a crowd of campaign workers, university students, staff and alumni, as well as members of the public, awaited returns. As the odds of victory looked slimmer, the dancing stopped. Some held on to hope, but others showed their dejection and began to leave.
Harris returned around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to give her thanks in a rousing speech, then left the stage with her husband, Douglas Emhoff.
James and Patrice Williams, of Greenbelt, Maryland, cheer loudly as they watch a big screen showing CNN presidential election returns for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters celebrate early returns on election night. AKA was founded on the Howard University campus in 1908. Harris was a member of the sorority, which has 120,000 active alumnae, when she attended college there.
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members dance and sing on election night.
Miss Black USA 2024 Kennedy Lucas speaks to the media on election night.
The mood turns as concerned partygoers watch returns on their phones shortly after the polls closed on the East Coast.
Harris supporters look dejected as CNN announces former President Donald Trump won the key swing state of Georgia. President Biden won the state in 2020.
Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority sisters dejectedly watch election returns showing former President Trump winning most key battleground states. Red, white and blue balloons decorate the Howard University campus.
Kamala Harris supporters appear dejected as CNN announces she lost the key swing state of Georgia to former President Donald Trump.
Supporters watch as unfavorable election returns roll in.
Howard University nursing student Danielle Munford, 18, sits in the “general public” viewing area on campus. She and her friends waited hours in line to attend the Harris election return watch party.
An American flag, handed out by Kamala staffers to supporters, lays on the ground at Howard University in the early morning hours of Nov. 06, 2024.
Supporters wait for Harris to arrive on Wednesday.
Heartbroken members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority cry while others stand in shock as Vice President Kamala Harris delivers her concession speech.
Vice President Kamala Harris leaves the stage with her husband, Douglas Emhoff, after delivering her concession speech.
Harris supporters weep as they watch their candidate leave the stage.
Kamala Harris leaves Howard University following her concession speech.
Mary Clement of Silver Spring, Maryland, stayed long after the crowds had gone. “I’m here for Kamala … I just love her and her kindness, and I think that she would have made an excellent president. She’s just a wonderful human being, and I’m here today to say thank you for making our younger people understand what real leadership is,” she said.
All photos by Barbara Davidson
Copyright Capital & Main 2024
