Neverson- Anyjah Heatley, III
What’s in a Name?
Neverson
The name Neverson ultimately originates from the Gaelic word "Naoimhin," meaning "little saint". In New York City there was a number of communities where Irish and Black communities intertwined. I wonder if my grandfather was a product of such after we all moved from the South
Heatley, III
I was originally named Turner which was my mother’s married name to a man I never met. The more I bonded with Clarence Heatley and my father, Neverson, Jr. I decided to take my father’s name when I was able and did so during college. My son has picked up my name, making him Neverson Heatley, IV and it’s a very proud thing for me to have life experience with Sr., Jr., and IV.
"Heatley" is an English habitational surname derived from Old English words meaning "heath" or "heather" and "leah," a "woodland clearing". The name originally referred to individuals who lived in or came from one of several places in England, such as Heatley in Cheshire or Staffordshire.
Anyjah
In 1997 my girlfriend, “Niecey” was pregnant with our daughter. She wanted to name her Anyjah. Probably for the best, she opted for abortion, but I carry Anyjah’s name with me and in my heart daily.
Clarence “Preacher” Heatley is remembered as the leader of the Preacher Crew, a Harlem-based organization that held sway in New York City during the late 1980s and early 1990s. His name became part of the city’s criminal history, tied to narcotics, extortion, and violence. To the public, he symbolized the dangers and consequences of life in the streets at that time.
Yet for his nephew, Neverson, Clarence embodied something more complex. Behind the reputation and notoriety was a man who stepped into the role of a father figure. He drew a clear line between his own choices and the future he envisioned for his nephew, insisting that education and discipline—not the street—would be the path forward. In conversations and in action, he made sure that schoolwork, responsibility, and self-belief stayed at the center of his nephew’s life.
That contrast became a compass. By witnessing the life Clarence had lived, Neverson understood the cost of the streets; by receiving his encouragement and protection, he saw the possibility of a different outcome. It was Clarence’s firm guidance that turned focus away from quick survival and toward long-term achievement.
Today, those lessons endure. The discipline to work through challenges, the resilience to stand after setbacks, and the conviction that knowledge is the surest form of power all trace back to Clarence’s influence. His legacy is not only the story told about him in Harlem’s history, but also the story of the life he helped shape—one that chose classrooms over corners, and opportunity over limitation.
Family & Legacy
. . . in Brief
Neverson Heatley III is a higher education leader and scholar dedicated to advancing academic excellence, student success, and institutional innovation. With a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Florida and a Juris Doctor from SUNY Buffalo, he brings both scholarly rigor and practical leadership to the complex challenges of today’s universities.
Over the course of his career, Dr. Heatley has served in pivotal academic and administrative roles at institutions across the United States and abroad. His record includes shaping policy as Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at Florida A&M University College of Law, advancing equity in student conduct at Southern Illinois University, and driving accreditation and program development for the University of the People. Internationally, he has led faculty and curriculum development in Colombia, preparing students for success in global and national examinations.
His scholarship and practice consistently center on equity, inclusion, and performance. He has designed early-detection systems that improved student outcomes, created restorative justice programs that reduced disparities, and produced research on minority enrollment in law schools. His administrative leadership reflects a clear dedication to fostering environments where faculty and students of all backgrounds can thrive.
Today, as Associate Editor of the Journal of Comparative & International Higher Education, Dr. Heatley continues to connect global perspectives with the deeply rooted mission of education in service of community.
Guided by the legacy and future of historically Black colleges and universities, Dr. Heatley seeks to lead institutions that honor tradition while innovating for tomorrow—bringing people together, leading with purpose, and preparing graduates to meet a rapidly changing world with vision and courage.
