Meet Kamala Harris’ Niece Meena Harris

In the spotlight of American politics, family ties often come front and center. For Kamala Harris, the Democratic Party’s presidential nominee, her niece Meena Harris has become a recognized figure herself. At 39, Meena has built quite the personal brand, from fashion to children’s books to running a media company.

Born in 1984, Meena is the daughter of Kamala’s younger sister, Maya, and the two are reported to be incredibly close. After Maya married lawyer Tony West in 1998, he went on to work in Barack Obama’s Justice Department. The bond amongst the three women has often been noted as inseparable by friends and family.

Meena’s educational journey is impressive. She earned her undergraduate degree from Stanford University before heading to Harvard for her law degree. Nowadays, she’s a children’s book author known for works that reflect her family’s achievements, including titles like ‘Kamala and Maya’s Big Idea’ and ‘Ambitious Girl.’

The book ‘Ambitious Girl’ was inspired by how the media reacted to Kamala’s rising political profile. Meena explained, ‘What really stopped me in my tracks was that it was amplified by the media as if being too ambitious was a valid critique.’

Alongside being an author, Meena serves as the CEO of Phenomenal Media, a company dedicated to producing liberal-minded films and plays. She also runs a popular feminist satire site, Reductress, and boasts over two million followers on TikTok.

While navigating her own career, Meena has also formed friendships with various Hollywood stars, including America Ferrera and Rosario Dawson. However, her rise hasn’t been without controversy. Criticism arose in 2021 when an anonymous White House staffer questioned her personal branding, suggesting she was profiting off of Kamala’s name and image.

Despite the challenges, Meena remains close to her aunt. She told People in 2021, ‘I talk to her all the time. We’re super close. I’m grateful that we have that bond.’ She acknowledges that, while they may not agree on everything, it’s essential to listen to different views.

In her personal life, Meena married Nikolas Ajagu in 2014. Nikolas is known for his work in advertising technology at Facebook and previously established a co-working space. Together, they have two daughters, Amara and Leela, who often delight followers on her TikTok.