At tonight’s bi-annual reorganization meeting of the New Jersey Young Democrats, Fatima Heyward of Camden County was elected State President of the New Jersey Young Democrats. Heyward is the first African-African woman to ever be elected NJYD President, and succeeds outgoing President Marshall Spevak.

“I’m honored to have the support of my fellow Young Democrats as we continue to build a new generation of leaders in the Democratic Party,” said NJYD President Fatima Heyward. “As we approach the 2020 election, NJYD will continue to advocate, organize, and support young people running for office across our state. My new Executive Board and I look forward to hitting the ground running.”

“With the state of government and politics in our country right now, there’s never been a more important time for civic and political engagement. That’s why I have great confidence in the leadership of Fatima Heyward and her new Executive Board as they continue to push the envelope to advocate for the priorities important to our generation and to elect young people to office,” said Marshall Spevak, who stepped down from the Board after serving for 12 years, including the last 5 as State President. “Fatima and her Executive Board are the most diverse NJYD have ever had, and I look forward to seeing the great things that NJYD does in the future.”

Pursuant to the NJYD Constitution, elections are held in odd number years prior to the national Young Democrats of America National Convention, which takes place later this week. Since 2014, NJYD has expanded to 17 county chapters and 7 constituency caucuses. NJYD has presided over two successful Building Our Future training programs alongside the NJDSC and two High School Leadership Academies – where 20 high school students from across the state came to Trenton for a three-day intensive training program designed to cultivate our next generation of leaders.

The following New Jerseyan’s were elected to the Executive Board tonight:

President: Fatima Heyward (Camden)
Executive Vice President: Brian Boyell (Middlesex)
National Committeewoman: Aimee Focaraccio (Hudson)
National Committeeman: Jason Bergman (Bergen)
Northern Vice President: Imani Oakley (Essex)
Central Vice President: Brandon Givens (Union)
Southern Vice President: Quandell Iglesia (Camden)
Treasurer: Amanda Dávila Switzer (Burlington)
Secretary: Catherine Tung (Monmouth)

Heyward is the Communications Manager for Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern

New Jersey as well as Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey. She is the Co-founder and President of the South Jersey Young Democrats Black Caucus, and also, serves in various leadership roles with the NAACP Camden County East Chapter. Heyward recently completed her fellowship with New Leaders Council New Jersey – a six-month intensive, leadership training program. She is a proud sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and an honors graduate of Rider University. This year, she received the Visionary Leader Award from the Camden County East NAACP and was named SJ Magazine’s Woman to Watch – Women of Excellence recipient.