The Power of Her Voice and Vote: New MSNBC Special Highlights Black Women’s Critical Role in Politics – Essence

MSNBC intends to proceed a very important conversation specializing in the influence of black women in American politics in an upcoming special, Hosted by Symone Sanders-Townsend, MSNBC co-host, and Melissa Murray, MSNBC legal analyst and constitutional law expert, this special details the critical role that Black women, with their wealthy history of political activism, will play in shaping the 2024 elections.

Through in-depth interviews, Sanders-Townsend and Murray explore how Black women across the country are mobilizing, strategizing, and preparing to solid votes that could have a major impact on the election. Hosts travel from coast to coast, talking to key voices like actress Kerry Washington, Donna Brazile, Leah Daughtry and Minyon Moore about what’s at stake in November and what it should take for candidates to realize the support of Black women voters.

The special premieres just weeks after Vice President Kamala Harris made history as the primary Black woman to secure the presidential nomination of a significant political party.

A moving moment from the special event was presented by Caroline Wanga, CEO of ESSENCE Ventures, who captured the tremendous weight that Black women carry in their personal and political lives. Wanga powerfully reflects on the unique role of black women in their communities, describing their historical position as problem solvers, caregivers, and central figures. However, as Wanga explains, a deep exhaustion sets in.

“We know that the Black woman has always had a different energy to carry the burden of solving problems… She is the mother, she is the center, she is always fixing… The most disturbing thing is that now she has doubts whether she can help this time,” Wanga shared through the interview. “It’s not because I don’t desire to. She’s unsure she’ll have the option to do it, and she’s disillusioned in herself… It’s heartbreaking. “I’m testing solutions left and right to give her optimism about influencing the future she wants because she worries whether that 21st brick in her bag will be the one that breaks her,” she added.

The special also contextualizes these reflections inside a broader narrative concerning the systemic challenges that Black women proceed to face. Whether in the political arena or in our personal lives, the fight for equality and recognition continues. It’s a battle Sanders-Townsend has experienced firsthand in her profession as a political strategist, particularly in her previous role as a senior adviser and spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris.

The event is a continuation of a February 2024 MSNBC program that focused on the role of Black men in shaping the election. This time the main focus is on the backbone of political movements in America: black women.

In an upcoming special, we’ll examine Black women’s political engagement, examining the emotional and cultural work they undertake in this significant arena. This narrative positions them not only as voters, but additionally as key architects shaping the longer term of American democracy. This is undoubtedly timely, with only a couple of month left until Election Day.

Sunday, September 29 at 9 p.m. ET and might be streamed on .