WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris delivered remarks at the 2024 Phoenix Awards. The ceremony honors the work by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation. Biden spoke first. He talked the stakes in this election.
“The old ghosts in new garments [are] trying to seize your power and extremists coming for your freedom making it harder for you to vote and have your vote counted, closing doors of opportunity, attacking affirmative action,” Biden said. “My predecessor calls the insurrectionists who stormed the Capitol on January 6 ‘patriots’, but when peaceful protesters marched for justice for George Floyd, Trump wanted to send in the military, but they wouldn’t go.”
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Members of Congress appear on stage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
President Joe Biden delivers remarks at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
U.S. Congresswoman Fredricka Wilson and U.S. Congresswoman Nikema Williams appear at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Roy Wood Jr. and Sherri Shepherd speak onstage during The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference’s Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner at Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
U.S. President Joe Biden accepts an award by U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell and U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
U.S. President Joe Biden accepts an award by U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell and U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Roy Wood Jr. and Sherri Shepherd speak onstage during The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference’s Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner at Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
U.S. President Joe Biden greets Vice President Kamala Harris at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Democratic National Committee Chairman Jamie Harrison accepts an award by U.S. Congressman James Clyburn and U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
U.S. President Joe Biden accepts an award by U.S. Congresswoman Terri Sewell and U.S. Congressman Steven Horsford at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
U.S. President Joe Biden greets Vice President Kamala Harris at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Fantasia performs onstage at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice) 
Vice President Kamala Harris delivers remarks at the Phoenix Awards during the Congressional Black Caucus’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference inside the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on September 14, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo Courtesy: Itoro N. Umontuen/The Atlanta Voice)
Harris highlighted her membership with the CBC while asking for support in the hopes of winning November’s election.
“The Congressional Black Caucus has served as the conscience of the Congress and of our nation, and as a proud former CBC member, I know first-hand America relies on the leaders in this room, not only for a conscience, but for a vision,” Harris said.
Harris also pointed out the stark differences between herself and her opponent, former President Donald Trump during her speech.
“We actually have a plan for healthcare, not just ‘concepts of a plan,’” she said, referencing Trump’s comments during Tuesday night’s debate.
Harris wore a sequined gown by LaQuan Smith, accessorizing with black pumps.
In the end, Harris thanked the CBC for their work on registering voters. She also praised the CBC for advocating for policies that improve the lives of Blacks and African-Americans.
“We know what we stand for, and that’s why we know what we fight for,” Harris concluded. “And when the CBC fights, we win.”
Two-time GRAMMY Award Winner, Fantasia Monique Barrino-Taylor, closed out the evening with an entertaining and enthralling 30-minute performance!