If you’ve ever scrolled through social media looking for a picture of Hakeem Jeffries' parents, you probably noticed something pretty quickly. They aren't exactly "paparazzi" people. While their son is arguably one of the most powerful humans in Washington D.C., Marland and Laneda Jeffries spent their lives in the trenches of Brooklyn, not under the bright lights of a campaign stage.
Honestly, finding a high-quality, candid photo of the couple together usually leads you to a few specific places: old family archives shared during his swearing-in ceremonies or the heartbreakingly beautiful tribute photos released after his father, Marland Jeffries, passed away in early 2024.
These aren't just faces in a frame. They are the blueprint for the "Bad, Brilliant Brother from Brooklyn."
Who are the People in the Photo?
To understand the man holding the gavel, you have to look at the people who raised him in Crown Heights. Marland and Laneda weren't politicians. They were public servants in the most literal sense.
Laneda Jeffries (née Gomes) was a social worker. Think about that for a second. She spent her days navigating the bureaucracy of New York City to help families stay afloat. It's a job that requires an infinite amount of patience and a very thick skin.
Then you have Marland Jeffries.
He was a state substance-abuse counselor. He worked with people at their absolute lowest points. When Hakeem talks about "the dysfunction and pain" that battered Brooklyn during the crack cocaine epidemic of the 1980s, he isn’t speaking theoretically. He saw his father leave for work every day to tackle that crisis head-on.
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A Legacy of "Puddin" and Policy
Marland wasn't always a suit-and-tie counselor. Growing up in Newark, his friends called him "Puddin." He was a star baseball player who almost went pro before serving in the Air Force as a Morse Code operator during the Cold War.
Imagine that: a guy listening to Russian communications behind the Iron Curtain, then coming home to marry a girl named Rozye (Laneda) and raising the future Democratic Leader.
- Marland Jeffries: Air Force vet, social work major, Omega Psi Phi brother.
- Laneda Jeffries: The steady hand, a lifelong member of the Cornerstone Baptist Church.
- The Vibe: Middle-class, service-oriented, deeply religious, and unapologetically Brooklyn.
The Viral Moments and Public Glimpses
While there isn't a massive public gallery labeled "picture of Hakeem Jeffries' parents," there are a few iconic shots that tell the whole story.
The most famous "visual" of his upbringing isn't actually a photo—it’s the Cornerstone Baptist Church. If you see a picture of Hakeem in a pair of white gloves, that’s not a fashion choice. He was an usher. His mother made sure of it. She believed that serving the congregation taught you how to "count, engage, and serve."
When Marland passed away at age 85 in January 2024, the Jeffries family released a statement that finally gave the public a clearer look at the man. The photos shared then showed a man of dignity—someone who had been married to Laneda for 56 years. Fifty-six years! That’s a lifetime of stability in a neighborhood that, at the time, was often anything but stable.
Why You Don't See Them More
People often ask why there aren't more "power couple" photos of them on the trail.
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Basically, they weren't interested in the "theatre" of politics. Marland actually ran for the New York State Assembly once on a civil rights platform. He lost. But instead of getting bitter or chasing the spotlight, he went back to his counseling work. He taught his sons—Hakeem and his brother Hasan, who is a brilliant historian—that the work matters more than the title.
The Uncle Leonard "Complication"
You can't talk about a picture of Hakeem Jeffries' parents without mentioning the "other" Jeffries often seen in old news clippings: Dr. Leonard Jeffries.
Marland’s brother, Leonard, was a controversial professor at City College of New York. Because of Leonard’s high profile and polarizing views in the 90s, the "mainstream" Jeffries family—Marland and Laneda—often kept an even lower profile. They stayed focused on their local community work and their church.
It's a classic Brooklyn story. One side of the family is in the headlines, and the other side is just... doing the work. Marland and Laneda chose the work.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a misconception that Hakeem Jeffries came from a political dynasty. He didn't.
When you look at a photo of his parents, you aren't looking at wealthy donors or political insiders. You’re looking at two people who utilized the GI Bill and public education to build a life. Marland went to Central State University (an HBCU) and then Columbia. Laneda was the backbone of the household.
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They didn't talk politics at the dinner table. They talked about community.
"My parents didn't talk much about politics... but they talked a lot about the role of the church and the community in helping people." — Hakeem Jeffries, reflecting on his upbringing.
How Their Background Shapes Current Policy
If you wonder why Hakeem Jeffries focuses so heavily on criminal justice reform (like the FIRST STEP Act) or why he’s so obsessed with the "ABCs of Democracy," look back at Laneda and Marland.
- Empathy for the Vulnerable: A social worker mother and a substance-abuse counselor father don't raise kids who look down on people in trouble. They raise kids who look for systemic solutions.
- The "Usher" Mentality: Being an usher at a massive Brooklyn church means you have to deal with everyone—from crying babies to angry neighbors. It's the ultimate training for being a Minority Leader.
- Stability: In a world of "political outsiders" and chaotic backgrounds, the 56-year marriage of his parents is his North Star.
Finding the Authentic Photos
If you are a researcher or just curious, the best place to find authentic imagery is through the Amsterdam News archives or the official House Democratic Leader flickr/social media accounts from early 2023.
When Hakeem was sworn in, there were several shots of him with his mother, Laneda. Her pride is visible in every pixel. She looks like exactly what she is: a Brooklyn woman who saw her son go from an usher to the top of the U.S. government.
What This Means for You
Understanding the "parents behind the politician" isn't just about satisfying curiosity. It’s about context. When you see a picture of Hakeem Jeffries' parents, you're seeing the end of the "Old Brooklyn" era—an era defined by the Black church, public service, and a quiet, fierce brand of dignity.
Next Steps for the Curious:
- Look up the history of Cornerstone Baptist Church: This is the physical location where the Jeffries family values were forged. It's a landmark of the Civil Rights movement in New York.
- Read about Marland Jeffries' Air Force service: His time in the military as a Morse Code operator is a fascinating, lesser-known chapter of the family history.
- Check out Hasan Kwame Jeffries: Hakeem's brother is a renowned historian. Seeing the two brothers together often provides the best visual "bridge" to their parents' legacy.
The real story isn't in a single photograph. It’s in the fact that two social workers from Brooklyn raised a man who now holds the keys to the House of Representatives. That’s the real "American Dream" shot.