NEW YORK CITY December 26, 2025 – With just days until his historic inauguration as New York City’s next mayor, Mayor-Elect Zohran Kwame Mamdani posted an emotional video on X (formerly Twitter) highlighting the pivotal role his mother played in his groundbreaking campaign.
The nearly two-minute video, captioned “Here’s a story about one of them, my mother,” opens with a shot of a quiet residential street in Richmond Hill, Queens, overlaid with text reading “RICHMOND HILL, QUEENS JUNE 2025.” It then chronicles Mamdani’s mother, a Ugandan-Indian immigrant and former filmmaker, as she tirelessly canvasses door-to-door in the diverse neighborhood. Speaking fluently in multiple languages—including English, Spanish, and others—she engages residents, urging them to support her son’s campaign.
Mamdani, who will become the city’s first Muslim and youngest mayor when sworn in next week, credits the efforts of over 100,000 volunteers for his victory. The video portrays his mother as an embodiment of that grassroots energy, transitioning from everyday life in Queens to becoming a key figure in one of the largest volunteer-driven campaigns in NYC history.
“This was only possible because of the more than 100,000 people who volunteered on our campaign,” Mamdani wrote in the post, which has garnered thousands of likes and widespread attention.
Richmond Hill, a vibrant, multicultural enclave in southern Queens known for its South Asian, Caribbean, and Latino communities, serves as a fitting backdrop. The neighborhood’s tree-lined streets and modest homes reflect the working-class roots that Mamdani often highlights in his progressive platform.
The post has elicited mixed reactions, with supporters praising the “immigrant spirit” and family dedication, while critics offered pointed commentary on Mamdani’s policies and background.
As the city prepares for a new era under Mamdani’s leadership, the video underscores the personal stories behind his rise from state assemblyman to mayor-elect.
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