LOS ANGELES — Like many across the country, former Ms. Black California Gentel Sharrie woke up to major political news. 

After weeks of speculation, President Joe Biden announced he would step down as a Democratic candidate. A short while later, he endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as his replacement. 

“We have a new character in the villa,” Sharrie said. 

For civil rights attorney and political commentator Areva Martin, Harris is best suited for the job. 

“I believe it’s Kamala Harris, that can help us not only maintain the rights that we have enjoyed in this country for decades, but even move this country further,” she said.

Political commentator Mo’Kelly said that the support of Black women is vital to the Democratic Party’s success. 

“It’s high stakes, and I don’t know if there is a winning hand for the Democrats, but they’re going all in,” he said. "Black women have been the Democratic base of the party for at least the past two election cycles."