Kamala Harris tells Essence crowd SCOTUS affirmative action ruling is "a denial of opportunity"

• The ruling will force colleges to reimagine the admissions process and likely jeopardize the representation of Black and Latino students on campuses, write Axios' Erin Doherty and April Rubin.

What she's saying: "It is in so very many ways a denial of opportunity," Harris said of the ruling, while encouraging the audience to read the "brilliant" dissenting opinion written by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.

• "There is no question we have so much work to do."

Driving the news: Harris was at the Global Black Economic Forum at the Four Seasons, along with other dignitaries and business leaders.

• The forum is happening all weekend as part of Essence Fest.
• Watch the livestream.

The latest: Harris will be speaking at Essence Fest on Friday about reproductive health.

• Essence has free workshops, discussions, fashion shows and other public events at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center through the weekend.

Meanwhile, Missy Elliott, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Megan Thee Stallion, Juvenile, Eve, Janelle Monáe, Ludacris, Monica and others will perform at the Caesars Superdome, starting Friday night.

• See the full Essence Fest guide and schedule.

Go deeper: Civil rights leaders criticize SCOTUS decision.