Kamala Harris: From Howard University to the White House

A Look Back at the Vice President's Early Years

A Compelling Lead for a Gripping Newsletter

WEB Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California on October 20, 1964. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was a Tamil Indian biologist whose work on breast cancer research earned her international recognition. Her father, Donald Harris, was a Jamaican economics professor. Harris's parents met as graduate students at the University of California, Berkeley, and divorced when she was seven years old.

Harris attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C. She was the first Black woman to serve as the university's student body president. After graduating from Howard, Harris earned her law degree from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She then began her legal career as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California.

In honor of all Harris has accomplished, LOFFICIEL is taking a look back at photos of the politician from her earlier years. In her new book, The Truths We Hold: An American Journey, Harris tells the story of her rise from a young girl growing up in Oakland to her historic election as Vice President of the United States.