Young Democrats of America Names Fatima Heyward Its National President
Fatima Heyward
BY CLYDE HUGHES | AC JosepH Media
PHILADELPHIA – Marlton’s Fatima Heyward was elected the national president of the Young Democrats of America at its national convention over the weekend.
Heyward, 31, who was serving as president of the New Jersey Young Democrats, becomes the first Black woman in 10 years to serve in the post, according to a post on the NJYD Facebook page.
“Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for understanding the vision,” Heyward said at a rally on Sunday after the election, where she defeated Washington State lobbyist and YDA western vice president Kati Durkin, according to the New Jersey Globe. “I am grateful for this honor. And I have to give a sincere thanks to my team.”
She acknowledged the close vote with Durkin, where she won by less than 30 votes, but pledged to bring the organization together and work as one.
“Regardless of how you voted, I will show up for every single one of you,” Heyward said. “Thank you, Kati, for running an amazing campaign. … It is time to get to work, because when we fight, we win.”
The New Jersey Young Democrats issued their own social media statement, congratulating Heyward.
“This victory is not only well-earned — it is historic,” NJYD said. “Fatima is now, not only the first Black woman to serve as President of the New Jersey Young Democrats, but she is also now the first person from New Jersey ever elected President of YDA.”
The New Jersey Young Democrats said she is only the second Black woman to serve in the position.
“Whether mobilizing voters, mentoring young leaders, or championing equity and inclusion, Fatima has always led with purpose and heart,” NJYD said in its statement. “Now, as she steps onto the national stage, we know she will bring that same energy and excellence to YDA.”
Heyward had won endorsements from outgoing New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and other New Jersey political leaders before the election. The cofounder of the South Jersey Young Democrats Black Caucus, she works fulltime as Teach America as director of national corporate partnerships.
According to her Facebook page, Heyward had served as second vice president of the YDA’s Black Caucus, emergin Democrrg leaders caucus chair of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, and commissioner of the New Jersey Amistad Commission, which promotes the history of the Transatlantic slave trade in NJ schools.
An alumnus of Rider University, Heyward has long been active in South Jersey politics as a young Democratic advocate while participating in numerous civic organizations like the National Coalition of 100 Black Women Southern New Jersey Chapter.
She was an inaugural honoree of Front Runner New Jersey’s 30 Under 40 Top Black Leaders of South Jersey in 2022.
The Young Democrats of America is the youth wing of the Democratic Party of the United States, comprising of party member from ages 14-35. The YDA, which encourages political activism and voter turnout, has more than 500 independent organizations around the country.
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