Introducing Democracy Reflected: Building Trust and Representation in New York City's 25th Council District | TDG Fellowship

This week we bring you a special episode from Tenzin Jamyang, one of our 2025 Podcast Fellows.

In this special episode of 'Democracy Reflected,' we sit down with Eric Pereira, Community Affairs Fellow at the Office of Council Member Shekar Krishnan, representing New York City's 25th City Council District. Eric discusses his role in connecting with constituents, addressing local issues, and the importance of representation in diverse neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Elmhurst. He sheds light on the daily challenges and successes of ensuring that the voices of underrepresented communities are heard and their needs met. Eric shares how his team's linguistic diversity aids in building trust, the impact of legislative efforts on community advocacy, and his journey into public service inspired by his background. This episode highlights the real-world effects of effective local governance and offers insights into how young people can get involved in public service.

• 00:00 Introduction to the Democracy Group Network
• 00:23 Meet Eric Pereira: Community Affairs Fellow
• 01:42 The Importance of Representation in Local Government
• 04:40 Challenges and Barriers in Political Spaces
• 07:48 Building Trust and Effective Communication
• 09:31 Future of Representation and Civic Engagement
• 23:06 Personal Journey and Inspiration for Public Service
• 24:36 Encouraging Youth Participation in Public Service
• 27:49 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Know a student interested in democracy and podcasts? Send them over to our fellowship to apply: https://www.democracygroup.org/fellowship

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