On November 4, 2025, New York City made history. Zohran Mamdani, a 34-year-old Queens assemblymember and democratic socialist, won the mayoral race with over 50% of the vote, becoming the youngest mayor in over a century, the first Muslim to lead NYC, and one of the most prominent democratic socialists in elected office.
But this isn’t just about politics. Mattese Miller Lecque author of “The Make-Over: Re-Imagining and Exploring the New Me” recognizes something deeper in Mamdani’s story: a living example of transformation, cultural pride, and the power of authentic identity in a world demanding conformity.
The Make-Over in Action: Mamdani’s Journey
From Immigrant Child to Mayor-Elect
Zohran Mamdani is a dual citizen of Uganda and the United States, naturalized in 2018. His path embodies the transformation themes Mattese explores discovering authentic identity, honoring cultural heritage while embracing new possibilities, and refusing to let others’ limitations define your destiny.
When Mamdani declared his candidacy in October 2024, he was a little-known state legislator polling in single digits. Yet he built a movement by staying true to his values and connecting authentically with diverse communities.
The Power of Authentic Identity
In a dramatic moment at a Jamaica, Queens rally, Mamdani asked hundreds of supporters many Muslim and South Asian to raise their hands if they’d been called a terrorist or had their names mangled regularly. Dozens of hands shot up.
“This is why these words offend me, because they are about all of us,” he told them. This captures what Mattese teaches: your story isn’t just yours it represents everyone who’s been marginalized, dismissed, or told they don’t belong.
Five Lessons from Mamdani’s Historic Victory
1. Your Identity Is Your Strength, Not Your Limitation
Mamdani’s victory as the first Muslim and South Asian mayor marks a historic moment. Rather than hiding his identity to appeal to mainstream voters, he centered it and won decisively.
Mattese’s Take: The make-over isn’t about becoming someone else. It’s about becoming MORE authentically yourself. Mamdani didn’t win despite being Muslim, South Asian, and a democratic socialist he won by refusing to apologize for who he is.
2. Build Bridges Without Burning Your Foundation
Halfway through Mamdani’s final rally, a rabbi, an imam, and a pastor took turns praising him. He built diverse coalitions while staying rooted in his values and community.
Mattese’s Take: True transformation doesn’t erase where you came from it honors your roots while growing new branches. Mamdani showed you can be proudly Muslim while building alliances with Jewish, Christian, and secular communities.
3. Young People Can Lead Now, Not “Someday”
At 34, Mamdani shattered the myth that leadership requires decades of “paying dues.” Three-quarters of voters under age 30 voted for him, proving young voters can transform elections.
Mattese’s Take: Your age doesn’t determine your readiness. Your vision, authenticity, and willingness to serve do. Don’t wait for permission to step into your calling.
4. Representation Transforms Communities
“It is going to make a big difference for our people South Indians, Muslims, people who are immigrants like me. They will also think…there’s a place for them in this country,” said Democratic bundler Asif Mahmood.
Mattese’s Take: Your success isn’t just personal it opens doors for everyone who looks like you, believes like you, or comes from where you come from. Visibility matters. Representation transforms.
5. Authenticity Mobilizes More Than Marketing
His run almost doubled Muslim turnout in primary voting from 2021 from 12% to 23%. People who felt disconnected from politics suddenly believed their vote mattered because they saw themselves reflected.
Mattese’s Take: You don’t need to be everything to everyone. When you show up authentically, you’ll attract the people meant to support your journey and they’ll show up powerfully.
Mamdani’s Platform: Transformation Through Policy
Mamdani campaigned on fare-free city buses, universal public childcare, city-owned grocery stores, LGBTQ rights, rent freezes on stabilized units, affordable housing, comprehensive public safety reform, and a $30 minimum wage by 2030.
Why This Matters: These aren’t just policies they’re about transforming systems that keep people trapped. Mamdani’s platform says: your zip code shouldn’t determine your destiny, your paycheck shouldn’t force impossible choices, and everyone deserves dignity.
What Mamdani’s Story Teaches Us
For the Marginalized
You belong at every table not as a token, but as a leader. Mamdani told supporters: “To every New Yorker in Kensington and Midwood and Hunts Point, know this. This city is your city, and this democracy is yours too.”
Your turn: Where have you been told you don’t belong? What would change if you showed up anyway fully, authentically, unapologetically?
For the Dreamers
“My friends we have toppled a political dynasty,” Mamdani said to roaring cheers. Age, background, and “political experience” don’t determine what’s possible. Vision, authenticity, and community do.
Your turn: What dream have you dismissed as impossible? What would pursuing it look like?
For the Bridge-Builders
Mamdani built coalitions across race, religion, class, and ideology not by compromising his values, but by finding common ground in shared struggles.
Your turn: Where can you build bridges without sacrificing your foundation? Who needs to hear that they have an ally in you?
Mattese’s Reflection: The Make-Over Continues
In “The Make-Over: Re-Imagining and Exploring the New Me,” Mattese Miller Lecque writes about transformation as an ongoing journey not a destination. Zohran Mamdani’s story embodies this truth.
His make-over includes:
- From immigrant child to American citizen to NYC mayor
- From marginalized identity to celebrated diversity
- From political unknown to historic leader
- From individual struggle to community transformation
But the make-over continues: Governing a complex city, delivering on ambitious promises, navigating fierce opposition, and staying authentic under intense pressure.
This is the truth about transformation: It doesn’t end with one victory. The work continues, the challenges evolve, and the growth never stops.
Your Make-Over Moment
Zohran Mamdani’s victory asks each of us:
Where are you playing small? What authentic part of yourself are you hiding to fit in?
Who needs your representation? Whose door opens when you step through yours?
What systems need transforming? Where can your voice challenge injustice?
How will you build bridges? Who can you connect with across difference?
When will you start? Transformation doesn’t wait for perfect conditions it begins now.
Take Action: Connect the Story to Your Journey
Read “The Make-Over”
Explore Mattese Miller Lecque’s powerful narrative about transformation, identity, and cultural heritage. Her book provides the framework for understanding journeys like Mamdani’s and your own.
Join the Conversation
Visit matteselecque.com to:
- Engage with transformation-focused community
- Attend events exploring identity, heritage, and change
- Connect with others on similar journeys
- Access resources for your own make-over
Apply the Lessons This Week
Identify one way you’re hiding your authentic self
Reach out to someone different from you to build understanding
Take one small step toward an “impossible” dream
Speak truth in a situation where you’d normally stay silent
The Bigger Picture
Zohran Mamdani’s historic victory isn’t just about one person or one city. It’s about what becomes possible when people refuse to accept limitations others place on them, communities mobilize around authentic representation, young leaders step up without waiting for permission, diverse coalitions build power across difference, and transformation becomes collective, not just individual.
This is the work Mattese Miller Lecque champions. Through her writing, speaking, and community building, she creates spaces where your make-over becomes possible where you discover your authentic identity, honor your cultural heritage, build transformative community, and step into the leadership the world needs.
Zohran Mamdani proved that a 34-year-old Muslim immigrant can lead America’s largest city. What will you prove is possible?
Connect with Mattese Lecque:
Website: matteselecque.com
Book: “The Stark Reality”
