About Nate Jester

Nate Jester is a native of Southwest Atlanta—a proud graduate of Atlanta Public Schools, a Marine Corps veteran, and a Harvard-trained, community-minded attorney who believes in building on the strength of our neighborhoods together.

Born and raised in the Ben Hill community, Nate’s story is rooted in the same neighborhoods he now hopes to serve.

Raised by a family of educators, social workers, and public servants, Nate learned early that real change happens when we invest in people.

That belief has guided every chapter of his life—from walking the halls of Atlanta Public Schools to leading Marines overseas, and now, to building new opportunities right here at home through his community development efforts and nonprofit leadership.

Nate attended Fickett Elementary, Bunche Middle, and Benjamin E. Mays High School—all in Southwest Atlanta—an experience he credits with laying the foundation for every opportunity that followed.

With the support of his community and a nomination from Congressman John Lewis to represent Southwest Atlanta, Nate earned a scholarship to the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in the top 5% of his class. He went on to serve as an infantry officer in the U.S. Marine Corps, leading Marines both at home and abroad.

After completing his military service, Nate earned his law degree from Harvard, where he was recognized with the Dean’s Award for Community Leadership and completed over 1,000 hours of pro bono work—advocating for low-income clients facing eviction and fighting for fair pay in wage and overtime cases.

Nate's commitment to public service didn’t end at graduation—it came home with him to Southwest Atlanta.

Today, Nate practices real estate law, focusing on shaping cities—but his passion lies in shaping communities.

That’s why he launched Cascade Centennial, a community-driven real estate firm that partners with churches and nonprofits to build what communities need—affordable homes, services, and opportunity—while preserving the character we all cherish.

Nate’s approach to growth is simple: “for us, by us.”

Nate believes in progress shaped by local voices, rooted in legacy, and delivering real value to longtime residents.

Nate’s commitment to community extends beyond his work. He serves on the board of the Atlanta Neighborhood Development Partnership, an affordable housing nonprofit, and BLKHLTH, a public health equity nonprofit, and was chair of the Finance Subcommittee of the Atlanta BeltLine Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee.

Nate also leads scholarship efforts through the Eta Omega Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., the Mays High School Alumni Association, and the Emerging 100 of Atlanta. This year alone, those efforts will award over $100,000 in scholarships—a cause deeply personal to Nate, who knows firsthand the doors scholarships can open.

Nate is running for City Council because he believes in the strength of Southwest Atlanta—and in the power of public service to amplify that strength.

Nate is committed to working with residents to continue building a thriving community of choice in Southwest Atlanta—one where everyone has access to quality housing, good jobs, safe streets, and the businesses they want right in their neighborhood.

Nate is a member of the LEAD Atlanta class of 2024, New Leaders Council class of 2024, United Way VIP class of 2021, and is a 2019 Pat Tillman Scholar. Nate serves as President of the Benjamin E. Mays High School Alumni Association, Vice President of the Martin's Park Homeowner's Association, and as a member of the Land Use and Zoning Committee of Neighborhood Planning Unit P.

Nate lives in Southwest Atlanta with his wife Arabella, just a few miles away from where he grew up in Ben Hill.