Fatima Heyward Rises From South Jersey Organizer to Lead Young Democrats of America
Photo of Fatima Heyward courtesy of Fatima for YDA President Campaign
BY MADISON JOLLEY | For AC JosepH Media
MARLTON — Fatima Heyward’s rise from grassroots advocacy in South Jersey to leading the Young Democrats of America is more than a political milestone.
It is a full-circle moment for a young leader who began her journey working in community spaces, organizing for racial justice, and empowering young voices long before her national spotlight.
Earlier this month, Heyward was elected national president of the Young Democrats of America (YDA), the official youth arm of the Democratic National Committee. The Marlton native becomes the second Black woman ever elected to the role in YDA’s history and the first woman in 10 years to lead the organization.
For Heyward, the moment is powerful, personal, and deeply grounded in purpose.
“I didn’t start in politics thinking I would lead a national organization,” Heyward said in an interview with Front Runner New Jersey. “I just wanted to make sure young people, especially from underrepresented communities, were being heard and empowered.”
That dedication has marked every step of her journey. From co-founding the South Jersey Black Caucus to serving as president of the New Jersey Young Democrats, Heyward has built her career on advocacy, coalition-building, and elevating the political power of youth.
She credits much of her development as a leader to her involvement with a wide range of community organizations. That includes the NAACP, the Tri-County chapter of the National Council of Negro Women, Emerge New Jersey, and Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc., where she served as undergraduate chapter president.
Each of these experiences, she said, taught her something essential about leadership, discipline, and the power of community organizing.
“All of those experiences helped shape the person I am today,” Heyward said. “They gave me the wisdom and perspective to show up authentically and effectively. They helped me understand what is needed to engage people and to organize in a way that leads to long-lasting impact.”
Now, Heyward is tasked with engaging a generation of young voters who are increasingly skeptical of political institutions. She acknowledges that the Democratic Party faces serious challenges in reaching young people, particularly in the face of political division and disillusionment.
A new Wall Street Journal poll on July 25 put the favorability rating of the Democratic Party at 33%, its lowest in 35 years, despite Republican Donald Trump facing his worst polling as well.
“We have to meet young people where they are,” she said. “That means more than just showing up physically. It means making sure our messaging is clear, relevant, and resonates with the issues they care about. If we do not connect with them on what matters most, we risk losing their interest entirely.”
Heyward believes the party must also demonstrate real, meaningful action, not just rhetoric. She is calling for more visibility of young voices in leadership and a clear plan for how the Democratic Party will address youth concerns moving forward.
“Young people are tired of fighting the same fight without seeing real change,” she said. “We have to show them that we see them, that we hear them, and that we are taking action to include them at the decision-making table.”
Among her top priorities as national president is revamping the organization’s communication strategy. She wants YDA to be a true resource for young people, offering both political education and pathways for real involvement.
“When people know what they are part of, they get excited to contribute,” Heyward said. “We need to clarify our role as an organization. That includes offering trainings, resources, and tangible tools that young Democrats can take back to their communities and states. We want to be a hub that helps people grow and lead.”
Heyward also wants to expand what YDA offers its members, focusing on leadership development and long-term engagement. She envisions YDA as a pipeline to public service, where young people are not only voters and volunteers but future elected officials.
“It is time to invest in young people in real, measurable ways,” she said. “We need to prepare them to lead, not just in the future, but right now.”
Her election comes at a time when youth voter turnout is expected to play a decisive role in upcoming elections. As the country approaches the 2024 presidential election, she believes it is more important than ever to re-engage young people, rebuild trust, and ignite the passion that once made civic engagement feel empowering rather than exhausting.
Heyward understands that the task will not be easy, but she feels ready for the challenge.
“I do not take this responsibility lightly,” she said. “But I know that with the right vision, the right support, and by working together, we can reignite a movement. We can inspire young people again. We can build something that lasts.”
As someone who has spent years organizing on the local level, Heyward has never lost sight of where she came from. She still carries the values and lessons of her work in South Jersey, and those early days continue to inform the leader she is becoming on the national stage.
“This journey started in my own backyard,” she said. “Now it’s about bringing everything I’ve learned to this national platform and helping others see that they can lead, too. We all have a role to play in shaping the future, and it starts by showing up, speaking out, and believing in our power.”
Heyward’s story is a reminder that political change begins with community. In her new role, she plans to ensure that young people across the country know they have a place in that change.
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