Former VP, presidential nominee Kamala Harris to keynote Democrats’ Fisher Shackelford dinner

Former U.S. Vice President and 2024 presidential nominee Kamala Harris will keynote the 2026 Fisher Shackelford dinner, a fundraiser for the Democratic Party of Arkansas.

The event will be held April 25 in Little Rock at the Wally Allen Ballroom in the Little Rock Convention Center.

“We are so honored for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Jannie Cotton, Arkansas Democrats vice chair. “I could not be more grateful that Vice President Harris chose Arkansas for her first keynote speech following the 2024 election.

“Vice President Harris is the national leader who most embodies the spirit of our Fisher Shackelford Dinner. As the 49th vice president of the United States and the first woman in American history to hold the office, there would be no one better to keynote this incredible event and celebrate our remarkable honorees. I have worked tirelessly to bring her to Arkansas and to make this happen, and I can’t wait to share this historic evening with all of you.”

The Fisher Shackelford Dinner began in 2014 to honor the legacies of two Arkansas Democratic Party legends, the Honorable Lottie Shackelford, the first black female mayor of Little Rock, and the late Jimmie Lou Fisher, the state’s longest serving state treasurer. Fisher was also the 2002 Democratic nominee for Arkansas governor.

Each year, the dinner honors trailblazing women who follow in their footsteps and pave the way for young girls growing up in Arkansas today. This year, the dinner will honor Debrah Mitchell; Rep. Tippi McCullough, D-Little Rock; and Addie Jones.

Arkansas Democrats will host a news call with party leaders to further discuss the appearance at noon today (March 26).