WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – At an event they dubbed ‘Descendants’ Day the White House honored historic civil rights leaders by hosting their families. 

They discussed the strides that have been made towards racial equality, but also the fight ahead. 

In a crowded room the descendants of civil rights giants like Harriet Tubman, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Emmett Till gathered to pay tribute to their influential ancestors. 

Vice President Kamala Harris made a surprise visit to the event to celebrate the leaders. 

“It is an imperative that we understand where we came from, to then understand where we are and where we must go,” Harris said. 

One of the featured guests was Kenneth Morris, who is the great-great-great grandson of Frederick Douglass and the great-great grandson of Booker T. Washington. 

“History lives in each of us, But the future depends on how we carry it forth,” Morris said. 

The goal of the event was not only to honor those historic leaders, but also to talk about how to advance their fight for racial justice and equality. 

Congressional Black Caucus Chair Steven Horsford told the attendees that Democrats are fighting to protect civil rights with bills like the Voting Rights Act. 

“We will not be silenced and we are not going back,” Horsford said. 

That’s also part of President Biden’s re-election pitch as he tries to hold onto support from Black voters. 

“I believe that President Biden has kept many promises to Black Americans, but as we heard Vice President Harris talk about we still have a lot of work that needs to be done,” Morris said. 

Morris says events like Descendants’ Day show a commitment to doing that work.