Born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father, Kamala Harris became the first woman and also the first Asian and African American vice president when she was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2021. Now, with President Joe Biden’s endorsement for the 2024 Democratic nomination, she is poised to potentially become the first Asian and African American woman to lead a major party ticket and possibly the first to become president. Asian roots: Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, an Indian immigrant, deeply influenced her understanding and pride in her South Asian heritage.