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There are few conversations that capture both the history and heart of Democratic politics. This one—with four women who’ve lived it and led it—does exactly that.
Yolanda Caraway, Minyon Moore, Leah Daughtry, and Tina Flournoy—better known as The Colored Girls—have been shaping this party for decades. From Jesse Jackson’s groundbreaking campaigns to Kamala Harris’s historic run, they’ve seen it all, and they’re not shy about saying what needs to be said.
Minyon put it plain:
“We’re sitting in the midst of fog right now. Who is our leader? Who’s gonna lead us out of this? It’s hard to break through when you don’t have any of the institutional levers or bully pulpits that can help you get your message out.”
On the criticism that Democrats have focused too much on identity politics, Minyon didn’t miss a beat:
“It’s not the first time that’s been said… These identity groups are voters. So you either want the voters or you don’t want the voters. That’s just the reality. But if you need Black and Brown and women and the disabled community, LGBTQ community to come out, then call them voters.”
Leah added some recent history:
“When you look at the numbers… the Democratic Party hasn’t won the white vote since LBJ. So if that’s the case, then logic says you better invest in the folks who are making the difference for you.”
I asked them what it meant for Black women to be lauded as the backbone of the Democratic Party, and Yolanda quickly corrected me:
“It’s not just the Democratic Party. We do all the work everywhere. Organizations, I mean. It’s always the women in the back room doing all the work.”
And when the conversation turned to Kamala Harris, the women spoke not just as strategists but as sisters:
“Anybody who has done this, who has run, who has served—this is not easy. There’s so much you have to think about,” said Tina.
“I think that she spent her entire life in public service. Most of it in elected office. And she’s got much more to give,” said Leah.
And of course, we handed out a few “Sit Your Ass Down” awards. Leah’s went to everyone outside New York trying to tell New Yorkers who their next mayor should be:
“We have several stadiums and arenas with thousands of seats. And I invite them all to sit there and stay.”
This episode isn’t just about party politics—it’s about persistence, legacy, and love for the work. It’s a conversation between women who’ve been in every room that matters and still believe in opening the door wider.
We can’t rebuild this party—or this country—if we forget who built it in the first place.
— Jaime
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