President Biden and Vice President Harris Speak at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Gala Dinner

On Saturday, September 14th, President Joe Biden, dressed in a tuxedo with a black bow tie, took the stage at the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Phoenix Awards Gala Dinner as Jackie Wilson’s “Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher” played. He was honored with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Before Biden’s arrival on stage, Rep. Terri Sewell (D., Ala.), the chair of the board of directors of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, praised him for his efforts to “amplify Black voices” and be a “champion for justice.” Sewell remarked, “He will go down in history as one of the most consequential leaders of our generation.”

Rep. Steven Horsford (D., Nev.), the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, highlighted Biden’s commitment to nominate the first Black woman to the Supreme Court, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

At the lectern, Biden expressed his gratitude to the Congressional Black Caucus, stating, “You’ve always had my back and I’ll never forget it.” He reflected on his 2020 election, noting, “Donald Trump lost and became a defeated president,” and spoke about the upcoming election and his work alongside Vice President Kamala Harris. “The past four years we’ve shown democracy can deliver for our people,” he said.

Biden discussed his administration’s achievements over the past four years, emphasizing economic recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic, the growth of Black small businesses, and a reduction in child poverty. “Yes, we are better off today than we were four years ago,” he said.

He condemned the attacks on Haitian Americans in Springfield, Ohio, stating, "It's wrong, it's got to stop." Biden quoted Psalm 37, "I have been young and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken," and paid tribute to pioneering Rep. Shirley Chisholm, with whom he served in Congress.

He praised his collaboration with former President Barack Obama and his decision to select Harris as his vice president, expressing hope that she would become the first female president of the United States. The crowd erupted in cheers as he mentioned, “God willing she’ll become the first woman president of the United States of America,” and also referred to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D., N.Y.) as a future first Black Speaker of the House.

Biden urged the audience to “keep the faith because you know faith without works is dead,” and expressed his confidence in Harris, saying, “I know her. I trust her,” and that he would be proud to see her sworn in as the next president of the United States.

Biden introduced Harris, who then took the stage to a warm reception. Dressed in a stunning black floor-length evening gown, Vice President Harris began by thanking the Congressional Black Caucus for their support. She was immediately interrupted by a “skee wee” chant, the signature call of her AKA sorority.

Harris began her remarks with tributes, starting with Biden, calling it “the honor of my lifetime to serve as his vice president.” She reflected on her past as a CBC member, emphasizing the reliance of America on the leaders in the room for both their conscience and vision.

Much of her speech mirrored her most recent remarks at the rallies, albeit in a condensed form. She vowed, “We are not going back,” and pledged to fight to preserve healthcare access, voting rights, and reproductive rights. “We actually have a plan for healthcare, not just ‘concepts of a plan,’” she asserted.

Harris spoke about the legacy of generations of Americans who fought for freedom and expressed her belief that America is ready to move beyond divisive politics. She slightly amended her closing remarks: “We know what we fight for and when the CBC fights, we win.”

The crowd greeted her speech with enthusiastic cheers.

Please watch both speeches in their entirety below.