’85 USA Concert Wham T Shirt

The shades became a part of Harris’s life in 1986. She joined the ’85 USA Concert Wham T Shirt and by the same token and Alpha chapter at Howard during her senior year, one of a handful of students who were accepted into the organization at the time. The women would become lifelong friends, supporting Harris on her campaign trail. Her time as an AKA had a profound impact, one she explored in her autobiography, The Truths We Hold. “We weren’t just told we had the capacity to be great; we were challenged to live up to that potential,” Harris wrote of her university experience. “There was an expectation that we would cultivate and use our talents to take on roles in leadership and have an impact on other people, in our country, and maybe even the world.”

’85 USA Concert Wham T Shirt, hoodie, tank top, sweater and long sleeve t-shirt

When conceptualizing the ’85 USA Concert Wham T Shirt and by the same token and cover, Mitchell wanted to honor Harris’s college days and the powerful women who comprise the ranks of sororities like Alpha Kappa Alpha. The son of a Delta Sigma Theta (the second of the three historically Black sororities founded at Howard) and nephew of an AKA, he appreciated both organizations’ cultural importance. “I grew up from a young age deeply understanding the rich history of these sororities and their significance,” shared Mitchell via email. “With this cover shoot with Madam Vice President-Elect Harris, I wanted the set design to pay homage to that history, to her status as an AKA, and Black sororities and sisterhoods worldwide.”