Ali Altahafi, a Master of Public Affairs student at the LBJ School and one of this year’s Barbara Jordan National Forum (BJNF) chairs, is expected to graduate in May 2025. With a focus on immigration, labor and artificial intelligence, Altahafi draws from his personal experiences and professional aspirations to lead the 29th Annual BJNF.
Altahafi’s passion for public policy is deeply rooted in his own journey. Growing up in Iraq and the United Arab Emirates, he witnessed the devastation faced by his community. “Some of my earliest memories include witnessing tanks roll by in the streets, watchtowers armed with snipers and military helicopters flying by every night, rumbling the house,” he recalls. “These are memories not many children have or should have. Yet I was also raised around hope, told by friends and family that a better world is possible.” This belief in hope and resilience continues to guide his work today, both personally and professionally.
For Altahafi, the BJNF is a celebration of strength and perseverance. He describes Barbara Jordan as a trailblazer who overcame significant obstacles, a legacy that inspires him as both an immigrant and a person of color. Altahafi also values the forum's collaborative nature, saying he appreciated working with his co-chairs to craft a meaningful week of events centered on community and compassion.
One initiative he is particularly excited about is a health clinic hosted in collaboration with fellow co-chair Kennedy Simon. Altahafi emphasizes the importance of prioritizing health in organizing work, especially for communities that often face significant barriers to care. He notes that the clinic aims to illuminate these challenges and improve access to healthcare for the LBJ community and beyond.
Barbara Jordan’s legacy deeply influences Altahafi’s approach to leadership and policymaking. She has taught him to “always fight for what you believe in and never doubt yourself, especially when striving to create meaningful change,” a lesson that continues to inspire his work.
Altahafi encourages LBJ students to participate in the BJNF by volunteering or attending events. “We will have events every day for a week,” he says. “Showing up and participating is a great way to honor her legacy.”
Through his leadership of the 29th BJNF, Altahafi hopes to encourage his peers to think creatively and explore innovative approaches to solving challenges. By fostering meaningful discussions and embracing Barbara Jordan’s spirit of resilience, Altahafi envisions the forum making a lasting impact within the LBJ community and beyond.
Learn more about this year’s BJNF and see the full schedule of events here.