Sombre mood at Kamala Harris' alma mater Howard University as hopes of victory fade | US elections 2024

At Kamala Harris' wake party at Howard University in the nation's capital on Tuesday night, the mood among students, faculty and alumni grew darker as the night wore on, as they held out hope that Harris might be the first president to lead a historically black college graduates and the university goes dark.

Earlier in the evening, the Howard community prepared for a historic moment. On Georgia Avenue in Washington DC, a long line of supporters stretched down the street as people gathered after voting. Among them was Howard University Student Association President Jayy Jones, who tried to enjoy the moment.

“This is crazy,” he said. “Howard University is a central place for civic engagement and the continuation of civic activism, and it is simply amazing that we are here at the Yard at this pivotal time in history. And sitting here as student body president is just amazing and I’m really grateful.”

Harris graduated from Howard University in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in political science and economics. She launched her first campaign on campus when she ran for freshman class representative and returned in 2019 to announce her presidential candidacy for the 2020 election cycle. Harris also used the campus as a place to prepare for her August debate against Donald Trump.

“I have so many fond memories as a student at The Mecca,” Harris wrote this month to The Hilltop, the student newspaper, “I recognize that Howard shaped me into the person I am today.”

The Yard, Howard's meeting place, was abuzz with celebrations in the early evening as spectators watched the political forecasts.

Doreen Hogans, 50, said she was hopeful. She pulled a pearl necklace from her bag. The necklace belonged to her late mother. Hogans' eyes glittered: “She would have been so proud.”

All around them, students and supporters filled Howard's The Yard. They danced as the music pulsed. There was a mix of cheers and boos, and CNN made a number of race calls.

When CNN declared Harris the winner of Washington DC and Maryland, Chelsea Chambers shook hands with Kelo Torres and cheered. The women wore sashes – Miss District of Columbia Teen USA and Miss District of Columbia USA, respectively.

Chambers, 19 and a sophomore at Howard University, voted for the first time this year. “If I see a woman becoming president, I can achieve anything after that,” said the aspiring sports journalist.

Michele Fuller visited Howard at the same time as Harris – the future vice president was a year ahead of her. “It feels incredible,” Fuller said as she walked into Harris' election night party at her alma mater. “She did just great. And she is more than qualified. I’m just so excited.”

Asked if she could ever imagine Harris one day standing on the threshold of history, Fuller said: “No – never. But when she became vice president, I knew. I knew it.”

Benjamin Talton, director of the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, said it was unique in its significance that Harris was the first president to graduate from an HBCU and host a campaign party on campus.

“It hasn’t quite sunk in yet. It feels incredible to be here – the energy is so high, there is a buzz, an excitement. But as a historian, I can't help but reflect on the many historical moments I've experienced on Howard's campus, from my time as a student to now as a professor. “It’s never a surprise when there are historic events at Howard,” Talton said.

Read more of the Guardian's coverage of the 2024 US election