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Meet
Nathaniel Hezekiah
This community helped raise Nathaniel when his family needed it most. He has spent his life returning that favor — by showing up when it mattered.
Nathaniel Hezekiah III was born and raised in South Jamaica, Queens, in a neighborhood where families looked out for one another and community meant everything. In the 1980s, like many families seeking safety and opportunity, Nathaniel’s parents moved the family to Richmond, Virginia. But tragedy struck when gun violence took his father. Just a year later, his mother brought Nathaniel and his siblings back home to Southeast Queens — to the same neighborhood and extended community that helped raise them.
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That experience shaped Nathaniel’s understanding of responsibility. He learned early that when systems fail, it is often families and communities that carry the burden.
Born and Raised in South Jamaica.
Shaped by Loss — and Community
Nathaniel attended P.S. 160 and later New Preparatory Middle School, where he was part of the first graduating class after the school’s transition from I.S. 8. He went on to attend Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, where he studied in the school’s law program and became involved in after-school activities that helped shape his interest in public service.
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During his senior year of high school, tragedy struck again when Nathaniel’s stepfather was killed outside I.S. 8 while trying to help someone in need. The loss reinforced the values that had been instilled in him since childhood — that real leadership is rooted in responsibility and service to others.
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Nathaniel went on to attend St. John’s University before transferring to Pennsylvania State University, where he earned two bachelor’s degrees in Business and Finance. But despite opportunities elsewhere, Nathaniel made a deliberate decision to return home to Southeast Queens — to serve the same community that had helped raise him and his siblings.
From ATU Local 1056 to Public Service
He began his career working with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1056, gaining firsthand experience advocating for working families and the people who keep New York City moving every day.
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Not long after, a chance encounter with Congressman Gregory Meeks at a young professionals event opened the door to a career in public service. Nathaniel joined the Congressman’s team and over the years worked his way up through the office, eventually becoming Deputy Chief of Staff, where he has spent nearly two decades helping residents navigate government and delivering results for Southeast Queens.
More than twenty years serving Southeast Queens.
Throughout that time, Nathaniel has worked behind the scenes on issues that affect everyday life in the district — from helping families navigate Social Security, Medicare, immigration, and veterans benefits, to coordinating disaster relief and connecting residents to resources during crises.
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He has helped secure and connect local businesses to opportunities tied to the $20 billion redevelopment of JFK Airport, supporting millions of dollars in participation for minority and women-owned businesses. He directed more than $100,000 in scholarship funding for local students and created a Guide to Scholarships to make opportunities more accessible to young people in Southeast Queens.
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When Rochdale Village residents were owed millions in federal funds, Nathaniel helped work with agencies to recover more than $13 million owed to the community and helped secure postal lockers for residents after disruptions in mail service affected prescriptions and essential deliveries.
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When transit changes threatened bus access for seniors and students, Nathaniel stepped in during the MTA Bus Redesign to protect critical stops serving Allen Senior Housing and students attending I.S. 8, ensuring the needs of the community were heard.
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Building Community Through Education
For Nathaniel, this work has never been about recognition. It has always been about responsibility — making sure that when families in Southeast Queens needed help, someone was there.
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Now, as Assemblymember Vivian Cook prepares to conclude her historic tenure representing the 32nd Assembly District, Nathaniel is running for New York State Assembly to continue serving the community that helped raise him.
Because for Nathaniel Hezekiah, public service has never been about titles or attention.
It has always been about showing up when it matters.
Nathaniel spent his life showing up.
NOW IT'S
OUR TURN.
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