Vice President Kamala Harris Engages in Powerful Conversation with Hip Hop Legends Fat Joe and Too Short at the “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024

Discussion Highlights the Economy, Small Businesses, Misinformation, the Power of Voting, and Her Vision for the Future

Watch the Interview Here

October 16, 2024 (New York, NY) — Last night, the “BET Hip Hop Awards” 2024 featured a pivotal conversation as Vice President Kamala Harris sat down with legendary hip-hop artists Fat Joe and Too Short to discuss her vision for the future and address the key topics facing Black communities today. The impactful exchange aired during the awards ceremony and tackled critical topics, including the economy, small business support, misinformation, and the vital importance of voting.

In the discussion, Vice President Harris shared her long-term vision for the country and outlined her goal to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to achieve success. She discussed her plan to support small businesses and start-ups, noting that as part of her plan for economic equity, she intends to increase the current tax deduction for start-up businesses from $5,000 to $50,000. This significant change would provide much-needed financial relief to new business owners, particularly those from underrepresented communities, giving them a better chance to succeed.

Fat Joe reflected on the importance of this conversation, saying, "This is about more than just music—it’s about using our platforms to uplift the community and make sure we’re all informed, educated, and empowered to make real change."

Too Short added, "Our culture has always been a movement. Having this conversation with the Vice President shows that hip hop can influence the future, not just in music, but in policy and progress."

The conversation was a defining moment during the “BET Hip Hop Awards,” emphasizing the importance of civic engagement. By bringing together political leadership and cultural voices, the segment underscored the power of collaboration in driving meaningful change for Black communities.

“At the beginning of this week, Vice President Harris released an Opportunity Agenda for Black men – rooted in the fact that Black men have always been leaders and providers in their community and for their families. This agenda works to remove historic barriers that have long hindered Black Americans and especially Black men from achieving financial freedom and building generational wealth. 

Vice President Harris’ Opportunity Agenda for Black Men is a testament to her dedication to fulfilling the promise of America for all, which is why Vice President Harris and Governor Walz are continuing efforts to reach Black Americans where they are at and engage with Black communities across the country through diverse mediums on the issues that matter most to them. With less than 30 days until Election Day – the stakes of this election for Black Americans are simply too high for anyone to stay at home and sit this election out.” — Harris-Walz 2024 Black Media Director Jasmine Harris

During the conversation, the Vice President also touched on the following critical topics:

• The Economy: Harris highlighted her administration’s commitment to building a stronger economy.
• Misinformation: Addressing the dangers of misinformation and its effects on civic engagement and democracy.
• The Importance of Voting: Harris stressed the power of voting, reminding viewers that their votes have the potential to shape the future.

About 'We VOTE'

BET Media Group's 'We VOTE’ embodies BET’s steadfast commitment to empowering Black voters and amplifying their voices in the upcoming elections to harness the power of collective action to drive meaningful change. The campaign is a testament to BET’s ongoing efforts to ignite unprecedented civic engagement, voter registration, and turnout among Black voters. By equipping communities with knowledge about their voting rights and combating misinformation, BET Media Group aims to create a lasting impact that extends beyond Election Day.

About BET Media Group

The BET Media Group, a unit of Paramount (NASDAQ: PARAA; PARA), is the world’s largest media company dedicated to entertaining, engaging, and empowering the Black community and championing Black culture. Connecting Black audiences through a portfolio of brands including BET, BET+, BET Gospel, BET HER, BET International, BET Jams, BET Soul, BET Studios, and VH1, the BET Media Group is a thriving media ecosystem of leading interconnected platforms across cable TV, streaming, digital, studios, live events and international. For more information about BET, visit www.bet.com and follow @BET on social platforms. For more BET news announcements, visit betpressroom.com.

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