In March 2022, Governor Phil Murphy appointed Ms. Fatima Heyward to the Amistad Commission, making her the youngest member of this august group.

The Commission's mission is to promote educational awareness programs about the Transtlantic Slave trade, American enslavement, and the contributions of the descendants of the formerly enslaved and free Africans inthe building of America.
Ms. Heyward is passionate about delivering powerful messages, inspiring young people to take action, and promoting love and kindness in society

Currently, Ms Heyward is the Director of National Corporate Partnerships at Teach For America. In her role, she manages external relationships and works closely with internal stakeholders to achieve the objectives of Teach for America through impactful programming.

Prior to her current position, Ms. Heyward served as the Reproductive Justice and Community Partnerships Manager at Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey and Planned Parenthood of Northern, Central, and Southern New Jersey. In that role, she focused on expanding Planned Parenthood's impact in communities with high sexual and reproductive health disparities through a reproductive justice lens. She also held the position of Thrive NJ Maternal Justice Subcommittee Co-Chair, leading initiatives to raise awareness about maternal health and advocate for improved maternal and child health outcomes.

Additionally, Ms. Heyward a holds several leadership positions within political and advocacy organizations. She is the President of the New Jersey Young Democrats and made history as the first African American woman president of the organization. She is also the President Emeritus and Co-founder of the South Jersey Young Democrats Black Caucus, the Emerging Leaders Caucus Chair for the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, the Issue Advocacy Director for Young Democrats of America, the Diversity Chair for New Leaders Council New Jersey, and a member of Rider University's Alumni Board of Directors.

Ms. Heyward is deeply committed to social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and public service, aiming to empower young leaders and community members to advocate for their human and civil rights. Her commitment has been recognized throughout New Jersey through her numerous awards and acknowledgments for her outstanding contributions and leadership that includes the NAACP Visionary Leader Award, SJ Magazine's Woman to Watch Award, SNJ Millennials 30 Under 30 Trendsetters Award, Insider NJ's Top 100 Millennials, South Jersey Journal's African American Women Leaders in New Jersey, and more.

Ms. Heyward graduated Cum Laude in Communications from Rider University in 2015, where she received numerous honors and recognitions for her leadership and academic achievements. She is a proud sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and served as the President of the Tau Kappa Chapter for two years.