Today is truly a historic day, and I join my cofounder LaTosha Brown in congratulating Senator Kamala Harris on her selection to be Joe Biden’s running mate. In this moment, it is only fitting that we reflect on the many Black women who have paved the way for Sen. Harris, including Shirley Chisholm. In November 2019, while commenting on her own presidential campaign, Sen. Harris acknowledged Shirley Chisholm’s groundbreaking 1972 candidacy and remarked, “This is so much bigger than me.”

Indeed, as monumental as Sen. Harris’ nomination will be, her candidacy and the entire remainder of this presidential campaign, is much bigger than her. It is about the millions of Black families who have been disproportionately impacted by coronavirus. It is about the ongoing patterns of police violence against Black communities. And it is about the elevated attacks on voting rights—attacks which certainly existed before Donald Trump but which has been weaponized in ways not seen in decades.

In short, it is about “us”, our issues, our objectives and our lives.

Thus far, on coronavirus, Sen. Harris has sponsored one of the most robust bill that would increase financial support for families. On police violence, Sen. Harris has acknowledged that we must “reimagine” policing and reallocate our budgets to put greater emphasis on safety and services rather than enforcement. And on voting, Sen. Harris has sponsored a sweeping voting rights bill that expands vote-by-mail, increases early voting, and funds states to more effectively administer their elections.

We expect action from the Biden-Harris team on these issues and more.

Representation matters. Not only because it’s important for young Black girls to see themselves in a future vice president or president, but because representation impacts policies.

So today, we celebrate an historic achievement.

Tomorrow we work to make those who have been entrusted with huge responsibilities and an awesome legacy to be better. Because that is what our communities need, and that is what our communities demand.

Cliff Albright is a co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, an organization dedicated to expanding Black voter engagement and increasing progressive power through movement-building. He also hosts a weekly radio show in Atlanta and has served as an instructor of African-American Studies at several universities.