[ Opinion Editorial ]
The DNC Experience
The convention was held from August 19–22, 2024, at the United Center in Chicago. The event attracted between 5,000 and 7,000 delegates and alternate delegates, along with over 50,000 visitors. The experience surpassed anything I could have imagined.
I arrived at the convention on Tuesday, August 20th, the day after the official start. A tip for anyone planning to attend in the future: I recommend arriving the day before the convention begins to decompress. From the moment I landed until I left, it was a non-stop sprint. My mornings began at 8 a.m. with the Democratic Party breakfast, a ticketed event for delegates and their guests. The breakfast featured amazing speakers, including California Senator Alex Padilla, San Francisco Mayor London Breed, and Lorenza Gonzalez Fletcher, Chief Officer of the California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO. Once the breakfast ended, the day truly took off.
The city of Chicago, coupled with beautiful weather, provided the perfect backdrop to a myriad of caucus sessions, panels, Democratic Party swag shopping, and parties. One of my absolute favorite daytime events was the Colored Girls Luncheon, held on a stunning rooftop in Chicago.
The founders of the Colored Girls include Donna Brazile, top Hillary Clinton aide Minyon Moore, chief executive of the Democratic Convention Leah Daughtry, director of the convention’s podium operations Yolanda Caraway, and Bill Clinton’s chief of staff Tina Flournoy. The luncheon was a gathering of leaders—elected officials, delegates, celebrities—as well as members of the prestigious Divine Nine organizations and The Links, Inc. It was a sea of beautiful, vibrant outfits and smart, engaging individuals. The scene felt like something out of a movie.
Another standout event, outside of the convention, was the California Bash, which featured the Bay Area’s own legendary R&B band, Tony! Toni! Toné! It was a joy to reconnect with so many people in the political ecosystem whom I hadn’t seen in years. It was also an absolute delight to be on the dance floor, watching Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell dancing to Nelly’s Hot in Herre.
Convention Highlights
Shoe game was essential for surviving the convention, but even in flats, by the time I arrived at the actual convention in the evenings, my feet were on borrowed time. I would get to the United Center around 3:30 p.m. to secure a good seat. Outside, the energy was electric, with everything from protestors, down-ballot candidates campaigning, people selling merchandise, and DJs.
While there were numerous incredible speakers and performers, I’ll highlight my top three:
The Obamas (specifically Mrs. Obama):
I have to focus on my doppelganger and future self, Michelle LaVaughn Obama, who in my opinion, set the tone for the dynamic duo’s presence and delivered what felt like poetic justice. (Pictured: Tyra Fennell)
The First Lady’s speech felt like the culmination of years of education, real-world experience, passion, and deep frustration over what she and her husband had endured since they entered national politics.
The entire arena hung on her every word but was absolutely electrified when Mrs. Obama said the following:
“My husband and I, sadly, know a little something about this. For years, Donald Trump did everything in his power to try to make people fear us. See, his limited, narrow view of the world made him feel threatened by the existence of two hardworking, highly educated, successful people who happen to be Black.
Wait, I want to know: Who’s going to tell him that the job he’s currently seeking might just be one of those ‘Black jobs’?”
Her words released years of built-up tension. For so long, anyone with a conscience saw the unfair treatment the Obamas endured, and President Obama was often unable to respond in the way we all wanted. At this convention, however, the gloves were off.
The Roll Call:
Due to the unique circumstances of this Democratic campaign cycle, delegates did not have the opportunity to cast their votes in-person during the convention. However, there was a ceremonial roll call celebrating the nomination of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, which felt more like a party.
Each state or territory had a unique song, curated by Grammy-nominated performer and producer DJ Cassidy. This moment certainly went viral, especially when compared to the lackluster roll call at the Republican National Convention, which struggled to secure A-list talent.
Lateefah Simon:
Simon, who is favored to win the race to succeed Oakland Rep. Barbara Lee, is our Bay Area homegirl and emerging superstar. I was floored when she walked out on stage—it was like watching a family member.
I first heard of Lateefah Simon from her late husband, Kevin Weston, when I visited San Francisco in 2008 to job-hunt. We met during an information session at New America Media with executive director Sandy Close. I didn’t meet Lateefah in person until years later, but it takes two seconds to feel her magnetic energy and know big things are ahead for her. Seeing her at the convention at that moment was beyond inspiring.
I am now back in San Francisco, serving as Mayor London Breed’s Director of Community Relations. I’m motivated by what I experienced at the DNC to lean even further into my work in the community and as a Democrat. I’m also dedicating my weekends to letter-writing and phone banking to get the Harris/Walz ticket into the White House.
Please follow me on Instagram (@Tyraimprint), Facebook, and/or Instagram (@Tyraimprint) to check out my detailed recap videos!
Missed Part 1? Read it here>>
[Note: The views expressed do not necessarily represent the opinion of Bay Area Registry.]
