New York mayoral candidate Mamdani has been identified as black in Colombia application

New York City Mayor’s Democratic candidate Zohran Mamdani was identified as “Black or African American” in a 2009 Columbia University application The New York Times reported Thursday.

According to The Times Ivy League School.

Mamdani, a high school student at the time, also checked out the “Asians”, reportedly wrote in “Uganda” to seek other backgrounds. Even though his father was a professor in an elite school, he was ultimately not accepted by Colombia.

Mamdani, 33, told Times that he considered him “an African-born American” and said checking multiple boxes was to reflect his “complex background” rather than gaining an advantage in the competitive enrollment process.

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But at the time, Columbia, like many elite universities, used admissions to racial awareness, and the Supreme Court went on strike in 2023.

“Even if these boxes are restricted, I want my college application to reflect who I am,” Mamdani said.

Mamdani told Times that he did not remember ever being identified as black or African American except for these college forms.

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New York mayoral candidate state Rep. Zohran Mamdani spoke to supporters at an election night party. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

His parents are both Indian descent. His father, Colombia professor Mahmood Mamdani, has lived in East Africa for several generations, but Mamdani said the family has not been married to an Aboriginal African group.

Mamdani leaned his South Asian and Muslim identity on the campaign trail. In a June speech on the Al Sharpton National Action Network, he also highlighted his African roots: “I was born in Kampala, Uganda…my father was given to my middle name, Kwame, who was named after the first prime minister of Ghana.”

President Donald Trump At a rally on Wednesday, Mamdani was raised and said that if he interfered with immigration laws, “we will have to arrest him.”

On Saturday, June 28, 2025, New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, New York City mayoral candidate. (Adam Gray/Bloomberg by Getty Image)

“Look, we don’t need communists in this country, but if we have a communist, I will monitor them very carefully on behalf of the country.”

Mamdani, a self-identification Democratic Socialistsdismissed the remarks, accusing Trump of “trying to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows: If you speak up, they will serve you. We won’t accept this intimidation.”

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Fox News Digital has been approached by Mamdani event for comment.