Politician and Attorney Hakeem Jeffries Belongs to Blend of African-American Ethnicity
Hakeem Jeffries’s ethnicity influenced his leadership style and political philosophy, as indicated by his pursuit of social justice and equitable representation.
Hakeem Jeffries was the first African American to lead a congressional party, marking a milestone in American political history.
Born on August 4, 1970, he grew up in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood.
Moreover, he studied at New York University School of Law, where he earned an honors degree in 1997. From then on, he began participating in the Law Review.
Hakeem Jeffries’s Career And Junction Of His Ancestry and Politics
Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, Jeffries, emphasizes his family origins by being a longstanding member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church.
He is of African American origin and was raised in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights. His birthplace is a significant African American urban center in the 1970s and 1980s.
Additionally, Jeffries specializes in African American history, focusing on the civil rights movement and Black Power.
He draws inspiration from his parents, Laneda and Marland Jeffries, who married in 1967.
Marland Jeffries, born in 1938, worked as a state substance abuse counselor for several years.
He was also a member of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi, who tragically lost his life on December 31, 2023, at the age of 85.
On the other hand, Hakeem’s mother, Laneda, is a dedicated social worker who helps individuals and families.
Thus, Hakeem’s approach to politics is influenced by the principles imparted by his mother. His method emphasizes community engagement and service integrity.
Additionally, Hakeem Jeffries’ parents have been Cornerstone Baptist congregation members for their entire lives.
Regarding his siblings, Hakeem has one brother, Hasan Kwame Jeffries, an associate professor of history at Ohio State University.
In 1997, Hakeem married social worker Kennisandra Arciniegas-Jeffries, who works for the SEIU Benefit Fund.
Likewise, the couple has two sons, Jeremain, born in 2001, and Joshua, born in 2004.
Hakeem Jeffries’s Journey From Law Clerk to Congressional Leader
At the first instance of his career, he was a law clerk for the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, Judge Harold Baer Jr.
Additionally, he focused on various legal cases while working at the law firm Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton, and Garrison LLP.
From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Jeffrie was Assistant General Counsel and Corporate Counsel.
Previously, Jeffries lost to incumbent Roger Green in the 2002 race for the New York State Assembly.
He was reelected in 2008 and 2010 after successfully running for the New York State Assembly in 2006, representing the 57th District.
Furthermore, after winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012, Hakeem began serving as the representative for New York’s 8th District in 2013.
As the first Black leader of the majority party in either chamber of Congress, Jeffries attained the position of House minority leader in 2023.
Additional Information
- Jeffries was one of the impeachment managers for former President Donald Trump in the Senate in 2020.
- He drew analogies between the themes of classic movies like “Casablanca” and “The Godfather” and existing political circumstances to take comfort in them.
- He loves to show guests his extensive collection of political memorabilia, which he prides himself on collecting from significant African American leaders.
