Stevie Wonder made a memorable appearance at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, where he delivered an inspiring speech and performed in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Addressing the audience at the United Center in Chicago, Wonder expressed his affection, stating, “I love you. Every song that I’ve sung, every song that I’ve written is because of my love for you right here.” He spoke passionately about the need for peace in the world and in people’s hearts, calling for an understanding of the current situation and the efforts required to bring about change. “Now is the time to understand where we are and what it will take to win. Win the broken hearts, win the disenchanted, win the angry spirits — now is the time,” he emphasized.
Encouraging the crowd to choose action over inaction, he urged them to strive for unity among Americans. After his uplifting messages, Wonder transitioned into his performance, asking, “Are y’all ready to reach a higher ground?” He then began to perform his classic 1973 song “Higher Ground,” energizing the audience with lyrics about perseverance and hope.
Kamala Harris has been a longtime admirer of Wonder’s work, having shared previously that his album Songs in the Key of Life is her favorite. She has also acknowledged him as a “living legend and longtime hero” on social media.
Earlier this month, during Duke Fakir’s funeral service, Wonder spoke fondly of Harris, simply repeating her name to emphasize her significance.