Kevin Powell may have thrown down with Julie Oliver on the very first season of The Real World over racial and social issues, but that’s a scene at least one of them would like everyone to forget. Since appearing on MTV’s reality show 16 years ago, Powell has gone from pseudo-celeb to hopeful politician. He is currently running for running for Congress in Brooklyn, New York’s 10th district. "A lot of folks know me from The Real World, but this is something I'm very passionate about," he told ABCNews.com. "My life's calling is public service. Civic engagement should be a part of our values as much as MTV and Xbox."

Powell is up against a 13 term incumbent, which is no easy task and his Real World fame doesn’t give him any advantage in this political race. His slogan is Powell for the People and his main platforms include: creating more jobs, ridding neighborhoods of crime and pollution, repairing the public school system, and working towards better health care coverage for Brooklyn’s residents.

Powell received nothing but well wishes and high praise from Bunim-Murray Productions, who cast him on The Real World back in 1992. "All of us at Bunim/Murray Productions are very proud of Kevin's accomplishments since being on The Real World over 15 years ago. He was always a very smart, very articulate guy; so his decision to run for Congress is not surprising," Jon Murray said in a statement to ABCNews.com.

The Real World will return to New York City for the third time since the show began for its 21st season. The show premiered there in 1992, then returned in 2002 for it’s 10th season for The Real World: Back To New York. Next, the show heads to Brooklyn where 7 new strangers will be picked to live in a house, and perhaps, be represented in Congress by a fellow alum.



- Gina Scarpa, BuddyTV Staff Writer
Source: ABC News
(Image courtesy of ABC News)