Stevie Wonder took the stage at the Democratic National Convention on Wednesday, captivating the audience with an emotional speech and a performance in support of Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Addressing the crowd at the United Center in Chicago, Wonder expressed his love, stating, “I love you. Every song that I sing, every song that I’ve written is because of my love for you right here.” He conveyed his hopes for peace, saying, “This year, I prayed very hard for peace to come to our world’s nations, but also to each one of our hearts, even though our hearts have been beaten and broken beyond prayer.” Wonder emphasized the importance of unity, urging, “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.”
Wonder encouraged attendees to “choose courage over complacency” and to persist in their efforts until the country becomes a truly united nation. He then transitioned into his performance, asking the audience, “Are y’all ready to reach a higher ground?” He sang his iconic 1973 hit “Higher Ground,” accompanied by dancers dressed in white, delivering powerful lyrics about perseverance.
Harris, a longtime admirer of Wonder, previously stated that his album “Songs in the Key of Life” is her favorite. In 2020, she celebrated his birthday with a heartfelt post, calling him a “living legend and longtime hero of mine.” Earlier this month, Wonder publicly supported Harris during a memorial service, again vocalizing her name emphatically, reinforcing his admiration for her.