Former Vice President Kamala Harris will take part in the 2026 Power Rising Summit, organizers announced Monday, joining a national gathering of Black women leaders focused on health, economic security, and political engagement.
The summit runs April 15–19 in Chicago and is expected to draw hundreds of organizers, professionals, and advocates from across the country. Harris is scheduled to participate in a conversation framed around economic, social, and political pressures facing the United States, as well as the role Black women play in civic leadership.
Organizers said the event comes at a time of “overlapping economic, social, and political challenges” and highlighted Black women as leading “change agents in their communities and across the country.”
The speaker lineup includes Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson; Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, a Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate; U.S. Reps. Lauren Underwood and Robin Kelly of Illinois; and a range of national leaders in policy, advocacy, and media.
Also scheduled to appear are Melanie Campbell of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation; Cherita Ellens of Women Employed; Jocelyn Frye of the National Partnership for Women and Families; Fatima Goss Graves of the National Women’s Law Center; Glynda Carr of Higher Heights for America; Alexis McGill Johnson of Planned Parenthood; and activist Tamika Mallory.
Additional participants include political commentators Angela Rye, Karen Finney, and Donna Brazile; television host Star Jones; and Shavon Arline Bradley of the National Council of Negro Women. Faith and cultural voices, including the Rev. Leah Daughtry and gospel performer Leandria Johnson, are also expected.
This year’s theme, “Rooted and Rising: Whole Health, Whole Self,” centers on what organizers describe as a holistic approach to well-being, including physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, and financial health.
Programming is organized around five areas: business and economic empowerment; culture and community; education and technology; health and wellness; and political engagement. Sessions will address issues such as economic displacement, the effects of artificial intelligence on Black communities, and research on Black women entrepreneurs navigating changes in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
Power Rising was founded after a retreat involving members of the Congressional Black Caucus and has grown into a national convening that brings together elected officials, advocates, and grassroots organizers.
A full schedule is available on the organization’s website: https://powerrising.org/power-rising-2026/.
