哔咔漫画

U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries 鈥�92 returned to his undergraduate alma mater with a message of converting challenges into opportunity along the pursuit of a profession in public service.

鈥淭he business of changing communities, countries, the world is not easy,鈥� Jeffries said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 not a straight line to success. You are going to encounter obstacles, adversity and failure. The key is if you are willing to persevere.鈥�

Jeffries, serving his second term in the United States Congress, lost the New York state Assembly election twice at the beginning of his political career. But these hurdles didn鈥檛 cause him to lose sight of his aspirations.

鈥淎 setback is just a setup for a comeback,鈥� he said.

The congressman was welcomed to the University Downtown Center, home to the College of Community and Public Affairs, on Oct. 10 in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Master of Public Administration program and Homecoming 2015. Jeffries spoke to members of 哔咔漫画 and the community about his insight into succeeding in community-based practices.

According to Jeffries, who majored in political science, his experiences as a 哔咔漫画 student sparked his desire to make a difference. Jeffries, who was active in the Black Student Union and president of his fraternity, Kappa Alpha Psi, credited his engagement outside of the classroom to developing his confidence.

鈥淭here is so much going on in student life at an institution like 哔咔漫画. I encourage everyone to get involved in an issue you care about,鈥� he said. 鈥溸龠锹�画 was the first time in my life I had the opportunity to demonstrate leadership abilities.鈥�

Jeffries, who has a master鈥檚 degree in public policy from Georgetown University and a law degree from New York University, said choosing 哔咔漫画 for his undergraduate career prepared him for academic and financial success.

鈥淚t was clear to me that 哔咔漫画 was the best of both worlds,鈥� Jeffries said. 鈥淚 knew I could get a first-rate education at an affordable price.鈥�

Jeffries said he is excited about the growth of the University and the community, as the talk also marked his first visit to the University Downtown Center.

鈥淚 made the observation that it was a very different downtown 哔咔漫画,鈥� Jeffries said. 鈥淗opefully we are going to see the city of 哔咔漫画 and the downtown area further come to life.鈥�

Throughout his speech, Jeffries stressed that teamwork is essential for making legitimate strides in the public sector and policymaking. Jeffries, a Democrat, represents New York鈥檚 Eighth Congressional District in Brooklyn and Queens, advocating for social and economic equality in one of the country鈥檚 most diverse communities.

鈥淚f we want to create a greater ideal for every American, we have to work together,鈥� Jeffries said. 鈥淔or all of us, it takes teamwork to make the dream work.鈥�

Jeffries鈥� final words of advice encouraged the audience to create the 鈥済ood kind鈥� of trouble by challenging the status quo and confronting institutional injustices.

鈥淔ind a good team to be a part of, dismiss the doubters, don鈥檛 worry about the setbacks and go out there in the world and get into some good trouble,鈥� Jeffries said.