Zeneta B. Everhart is a native of Buffalo, New York, born and raised on the city’s East Side. She earned an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts – Humanities from Villa Maria College in 2008. She then continued her education at Canisius College, where she studied TV Production and Interpersonal Communication, graduating in 2011 with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Following graduation, Zeneta accepted a position with Spectrum News Buffalo as a breaking news photographer and eventually rose to the role of Producer. After six years in news and media, she made a career transition into politics, joining the office of New York State Senator Tim Kennedy of the 63rd District. She now serves as his Director of Diversity & Inclusion, focusing on equity through legislation, community building, and the fair distribution of resources. This role is deeply personal to her, as she is committed to ensuring that the community where she was born has a voice and a seat at the table.

One of Zeneta’s proudest accomplishments in this role is founding Single Moms Club Buffalo, a support group for single mothers. Her work took on new urgency following the May 14th mass shooting in Buffalo, where her son, Zaire Goodman, was seriously injured. In the aftermath, Zeneta testified before Congress in support of stricter gun laws, which contributed to the passage of the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act—the first major piece of gun legislation in over thirty years.

From that tragedy, Zeneta & Zaire’s Book Club was also born. Together, they have collected over 17,000 books that teach children about racism, diversity, and acceptance, all in an effort to foster a more inclusive society.

In 2023, Zeneta ran for political office and made history by winning both the Democratic Primary and the general election to become the next City of Buffalo Common Council Member for the Masten District—a seat that had not been held by a woman in more than 60 years. A Humanist at heart, Zeneta believes in the power of serving others through love and understanding.