Jackson’s Thalia Mara Hall reopened Wednesday night after being closed for nearly 17 months, welcoming former Vice President Kamala Harris as part of her nationwide book tour.
The sold-out event drew long lines outside the downtown venue, which was lit with signage reading “Thalia Mara Hall Is Back” and “Jackson Is Rising,” the latter a slogan introduced by first-year Mayor John Horhn. After attendees picked up signed copies of Harris’ book, “107 Days,” and took their seats, the event’s moderator, comedian Rita Brent, took the stage to introduce Harris. Harris was met with a standing ovation as she entered.
Horhn then joined them on stage to present Harris with a key to the city, announcing he had signed an order declaring Jan. 14, 2026, as “Kamala Harris Day” in the city of Jackson.
“Kamala, you don’t know what you mean to Jackson, Mississippi. You don’t know what you mean to Mississippi. You don’t know what you mean to America,” Horhn said as Harris accepted the key with a big smile.
Horhn added that he hopes more leaders like Harris – the first female and first woman of color to ever hold the office of vice president – will emerge, inspired by the example she has set. He specifically said future leaders like Harris could very well come from Jackson.
Harris then settled into her seat and discussed with Brent her new book, which chronicles the short amount of time she had to campaign for the presidency in 2024 after being thrust into the race when Democratic President Joe Biden suspended his campaign. She also reflected on her experiences as a student, prosecutor, California attorney general, U.S. senator, and vice president.
Discussing the 2024 election, Harris told the audience that had she been given more time, what she described as “one of the closest races in history” could have had a different outcome. She said learning of the results brought on a sense of grief she had not experienced since the death of her mother, an emotion she said was rooted in concern for the country’s future rather than personal disappointment.
Harris said she predicted what she characterized as a “corrupt, callous, and incompetent” Trump administration would do, including immigration crackdowns and efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. What surprised her, though, is the number of corporate leaders who have aligned themselves with Trump, she said.
“I have predicted almost everything that has happened, but what I did not predict was the capitulation – the titans of the industry, the powerful people who just bent the knee to the foot of a tyrant,” Harris said.
Other topics included the influence of Greek life in her life, the spread of disinformation, peaceful protest, voter outreach, and the role of government at all levels. Harris said voters should view elections as “transactional,” arguing that elected officials should be held accountable if they fail to deliver on their promises. She also emphasized the importance of local elections.
“Let’s just say the ride here wasn’t uneventful,” Harris joked when Brent asked whether the tour bus hit any potholes on the way into Jackson. She later referenced road conditions as an example of local government’s impact, noting that “insurance doesn’t cover a flat tire.”
Harris took three questions from the audience at the end of the roughly hourlong conversation, including one from a rising college senior and another from a local sixth-grade class president, who received a loud round of applause when asking for leadership advice. The event concluded with the audience chanting “Kamala, Kamala, Kamala” in unison.
Harris did not use the opportunity to weigh in on any future political plans, although she has previously said she’s not ruling out a 2028 run for president. She now heads to Memphis for a Thursday stop at the Orpheum Theatre.
Before Harris’ stop, Thalia Mara Hall had been closed since August 2024 for repairs and renovations. Future shows inside the venue include Young Jeezy (Jan. 26), Bob Dylan (April 25), and Broadway In Jackson’s spring season.