Childhood and Education Journey of Hakeem Jeffries in Timeline
How education and upbringing influenced the life of Hakeem Jeffries. A timeline of key moments.
Hakeem Jeffries is an American politician and attorney, currently serving as House Minority Leader and Leader of the House Democratic Caucus since 2023. He represents New York's 8th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2013. Prior to his congressional service, Jeffries was a member of the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2012. He is a prominent figure in the Democratic Party.
August 4, 1970: Hakeem Jeffries Born
On August 4, 1970, Hakeem Sekou Jeffries was born. He is an American politician and attorney.
1988: Graduated High School
In 1988, Hakeem Jeffries graduated from Midwood High School.
1992: Graduated from Binghamton University
In 1992, Hakeem Jeffries graduated with honors from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and became a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
1994: Earned Master's Degree
In 1994, Hakeem Jeffries earned a Master of Public Policy degree from Georgetown University's McCourt School of Public Policy.
1997: Graduated from Law School
In 1997, Hakeem Jeffries graduated magna cum laude with a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the New York University Law Review, and delivered the student address at Convocation.
1997: Roger Green ran for New York City Public Advocate
In 1997, Roger Green ran for New York City Public Advocate. Jeffries criticized Green for inattentiveness to his constituents' needs and preoccupation with pursuing higher office.
2007: Endorsed Barack Obama
In 2007, while in his first term, Hakeem Jeffries endorsed and supported Barack Obama's presidential campaign, becoming one of Obama's earliest supporters.
December 2014: CBC protest of killings of African-Americans by police
In December 2014, Jeffries led Congressional Black Caucus members in a "hands up, don't shoot" protest of killings of African-Americans by police.
December 2014: Visit to Eric Garner killing site
In December 2014, Jeffries visited the Staten Island site where Eric Garner was killed and encountered Garner's mother, Gwen Carr.
December 20, 2014: NYPD Detectives Killed
On December 20, 2014, NYPD detectives Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos were killed in their patrol car in Jeffries's district.
December 31, 2014: Initial Tax Deduction Deadline
December 31, 2014, was the original deadline to make contributions for a tax deduction related to charitable fundraising for families of deceased NYPD detectives, before the Slain Officer Family Support Act extended it.
April 15, 2015: Extended Tax Deduction Deadline
On April 15, 2015, the extended deadline arrived for tax deductions for donations to organizations supporting the families of deceased NYPD detectives due to the Slain Officer Family Support Act.
April 2015: Introduction of the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2015
In April 2015, Jeffries stood with Gwen Carr to announce the introduction of the Excessive Use of Force Prevention Act of 2015, which would make chokeholds illegal under federal law.
June 2015: Led effort to remove the Confederate flag
In June 2015, after the shootings in Charleston, Jeffries led the effort to have the Confederate flag removed from sale or display on National Park Service land.
2015: Calls to Run for Mayor
In 2015, prominent African-American pastors called for Jeffries to run for mayor against de Blasio in the 2017 Democratic primary.
2019: Voted in favor of the Equality Act
In 2019, Jeffries voted in favor of the Equality Act and urged Congress members to do the same.
January 22, 2020: Interruption During Impeachment Testimony
On January 22, 2020, Jeffries was interrupted during his impeachment testimony by a protester, to which he responded with Psalm 37:28.
2020: Remarks at AIPAC conference
In 2020, Jeffries told an American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference that "back home in New York City we consider Jerusalem to be the sixth borough".
June 2024: Concerns raised about congestion pricing in New York City
In June 2024, Politico reported that New York governor Kathy Hochul indefinitely halted the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City in response to concerns raised by Jeffries.
July 31, 2024: Announced Illustrated Book
On July 31, 2024, Jeffries announced he had penned an illustrated book, The ABCs of Democracy, to be published on November 12, 2024.
August 2024: Reiterated support for pausing congestion pricing
In August 2024, Jeffries reiterated that the ongoing pause on congestion pricing in New York City was "a reasonable thing to do at this moment."
November 12, 2024: Publication of 'The ABCs of Democracy'
November 12, 2024, is the planned publication date for Hakeem Jeffries' illustrated book, 'The ABCs of Democracy'.
2024: Prime-Time Speaking Slot
In 2024, Jeffries had a prime-time speaking slot at the Democratic National Convention where he endorsed Kamala Harris and likened Donald Trump to an old boyfriend.
