This year’s keynote, scheduled for Tuesday evening, will be quite different. In the age of COVID-19, a mostly online convention means there is no podium, no single stage — so why limit the keynote to one speaker?
The Democratic Party has chosen 17 speakers, dubbed “rising stars,” including two Philadelphians: U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta.
Kenyatta said he was “blown away” to be included.
“It is still a little unfathomable that a poor Black gay kid from North Philly is going to be on one of the biggest political stages representing a community that is so often overlooked,” he said.
Boyle said the speakers are all very different, but they will present a unified voice.
“About why we need change in this moment,” he said, “and why we think Joe Biden is clearly the right choice, so it’s all of us coming together to deliver the same message, and I think that makes it more powerful.”
Boyle will be watching on a Zoom call with his staff. He and Kenyatta already pre-recorded their parts. Kenyatta said he’ll be watching at home with his fiance.
“It’ll be my first time seeing it as well, so it will be very exciting,” he added.
Others in the “rising stars” keynote include Stacy Abrams of Georgia and U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb of Pittsburgh.