Kerry Washington called in a couple of reinforcements for a lesson on how to properly pronounce Vice President Kamala Harris’ name at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Thursday, Aug. 22.

The actress, 47, who reunited with her Scandal costar Tony Goldwyn earlier in the night, brought her star power to the stage at the DNC with help from Harris’ great-nieces Amara and Leela.

“It’s come to my attention that there are some folks who struggle, or pretend to struggle, with the proper pronunciation of our future president’s name,” Washington said in support of Harris, 59, before she accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for president.

“So hear me out: Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not.”

After pausing for applause from the audience, the Little Fires Everywhere star said she would “help everyone get it right.”

“Here to help me are some very special guests,” she said as two little girls walked out onstage — one in a pastel pink pantsuit and the other in a baby blue dress.

The girls introduced themselves as Amara Ajagu and “her little sister” Leela Ajagu, Harris’ great-nieces. They were at the DNC “to teach you how to say our auntie’s name,” they said.

According to Amara, the best way to say the first part of Harris’ name is to say “comma, like a comma in a sentence.”

Next was Leela, who said the second half of her aunt’s name was “luh” as if you were singing the scales of a song. The audience cheered in support of the kids. 

Washington then kneeled to be the same height as the sisters.

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“Put it together and you get — ” she paused to give the girls a chance to join in, in unison: “Kamala!”

The UnPrisoned actress suggested that everyone come together to practice saying Harris’ name the correct way with the girls’ help. The side closest to Amara said “Comma,” while Leela’s side said “Luh.”

After several chants of “Comma-Luh” from the room, Washington added, “for president!”

Harris’ running mate Tim Walz seemingly enjoyed the demonstration as he could be seen mouthing “how cute” to the people sitting next to him.

Though Washington did not single out anyone in particular on Thursday, last week, Republican Rep. Nancy Mace made headlines for her repeatedly mispronouncing Harris’ first name while on CNN.

“Scandal” star Kerry Washington appeared on the Democratic National Convention to offer a demonstration on how to pronounce Vice President Kamala Harris’s first name.

On the Chicago stage, the actor made a dig at Republicans who she claims are purposely mispronouncing the Democratic nominee’s name. Former president Donald Trump has repeatedly mispronounced and mocked Harris’ first name including at a July 24 rally in Charlotte.

“It’s come to my attention that there are some folks who struggle or pretend to struggle with the proper pronunciation of our future president’s name,” Washington said. “So hear me out. Confusion is understandable. Disrespect is not. So tonight, we are going to help everyone get it right.”

Washington proceeded to introduce Harris’ grandnieces Amara and Leila onto the stage to properly pronounced “Kamala.”

The first part of her name, the girls said, is ‘comma’, like in a sentence; and the second part, is ‘la’.

The actor then asked the DNC audience to join them in chanting the name.

Before the demonstration, the actor urged voters to remember that they are the lead characters in the story of this nation.

Washington also brought on “Scandal” co-star Tony Goldwyn, who played President President Fitzgerald Grant, on stage to chant “When Kamala wins, America wins.”

Not just Republicans: Bill Clinton mispronounces Harris’ name on night 3

During a Wednesday night endorsement speech, former president Bill Clinton mistakenly mispronounced Harris’ first name. While pronouncing it right at first she later mispronounced referred to Harris as “KAmahla” instead of the accurate “KAHmala.”

Clinton also applauded President Joe Biden for the added sense of pride within the Democratic party since he took office in 2020.

Clinton, in a lengthy speech, also criticized Republican’s economic record at at Trump himself for, including his tendency to mention fictional characters like Hannibal Lecter in his speeches.

“When you send a signal to other countries you want them to know, whether they agree with you or not, that you’re on the level about what you say and what you believe,” Clinton said. “What are they supposed to think about the endless tributes to the late great Hannibal Lecter?”

DNC live updates: Elizabeth Warren, Steph Curry speak; Kamala Harris to take the stage

How to watch and stream the 2024 DNC

The convention will air live on its website, from the United Center in Chicago between 6:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. Eastern (5:15 p.m. to 10 p.m Central) on Monday, and 7 p.m to 11 p.m. Eastern (6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Central) the other days.

USA TODAY will provide livestream coverage on YouTube each night of the DNC, Monday through Thursday.

What are the themes for each night of the DNC?

The DNC announced nightly themes for the convention. The title of the convention is “For the People, For Our Future.”

Here are the themes for each night:

• Monday: “For the People”
• Tuesday: “A Bold Vision for America’s Future”
• Wednesday: “A Fight for our Freedoms”
• Thursday: “For our Future”

Contributing: James Powel

ASHBURN, Va. — The Washington Commanders got Day 16 of Training Camp started with a bang by trading receiver Jahan Dotson to the Philadelphia Eagles.

On a day of practice where the Commanders’ 2022 1st Round NFL Draft pick wasn’t present due to the trade, there’s no more impactful storyline today to start our notebook with than that.

Where does Washington go next? That’s the biggest question facing the franchise after the stunner dropped Thursday morning.

READ MORE: Washington Commanders HC Dan Quinn Praises LB Bobby Wagner: ‘Remarkable Competitor’

The writing may have been on the wall for a minute now. Whether it’s scheme, personalities, or simply time for a change of scenery, the separation of Dotson and the franchise that drafted him is something that has been brewing under the surface for a little while.

Speculation about Dotson’s future really came to a head when head coach Dan Quinn told everyone the second receiver job was still open for hiring, and that nobody had secured the spot yet.

Add to that the first round receiver’s presence on the field with second team offenses in the preseason, and it seems the fact Washington and the receiver weren’t on the same page was a secret on full display.

Now, Dotson gets to go home to restart his NFL career, and he’ll do it with the benefit of All-Pro caliber teammates like receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith dominating defender attention.

Once the wound from being traded gets to heal a bit, the salve of realizing the situation he now finds himself in will help accelerate the process.

That’s the question most – if not all – Commanders fans are asking themselves this very moment. What happens next?

Entering the pre-draft process and free agency window many Washington fans wanted the team to target either a free agent or a rookie to add more spice to the receiver room. General manager Adam Peters did draft Luke McCaffrey in the third round, but he hasn’t seemed to quench the thirst outsiders have for an improved receiver room for quarterback Jayden Daniels.

With Dotson out of the picture now, it would appear to many that Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown, Olamide Zaccheaus, and McCaffrey now represent the best that room has to offer. And it’s not good enough.

Will the team really stick with the unit it has now? Or is another player – maybe even Brandon Aiyuk – be in play here?

Most general managers tell you the first thing a team has to do on its way to being a Super Bowl champion is win its division. Or at least be competitive.

This is now twice Peters has traded within the division, and both trades have seemingly benefitted the Eagles – the team many expect to reclaim the NFC East Division title after fumbling it away at the end of last season.

It’s not as bad as helping the Dallas Cowboys, but benefiting Philadelphia as the Washington GM is a quick way to losing favor in a very intense fan base.

For now, fans are staying patient and following the ‘trust in Adam’ line, but if cornerback Cooper DeJean (the defender the Eagles drafted following a trade with the Commanders in April) and/or Dotson comes back to bite the Commanders this season, some of that patience may wear thin very quickly.

It’s a bold and brave move by Peters to deal so much with a team he’s directly competing with for an automatic bid into the NFL Playoffs. But some are wondering if it isn’t his first major misstep as an NFL general manager.

READ MORE: NFL Betting Odds: Commanders Favorite to Land Cowboys Star WR CeeDee Lamb

Stick with CommanderGameday and the Locked On Commanders podcast for more FREE coverage of the Washington Commanders throughout the 2024 season.

• Commanders Trade Jahan Dotson; 49ers’ Brandon Aiyuk Deal Coming?

• ‘He Will Slide’: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Protecting Body Crucial to Success

• Washington Commanders QB Jayden Daniels Reveals Thoughts on ‘Earning’ Starting Job

• Former Washington Tight End Tells All About Life and Football in New Memoir