Childhood and Education Journey of Eric Adams in Timeline

How education and upbringing influenced the life of Eric Adams. A timeline of key moments.

Eric Leroy Adams is the current mayor of New York City, serving since 2022. Prior to his political career, Adams was a police officer in the NYPD for over 20 years, retiring as a captain. He transitioned to politics, serving in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013, representing Brooklyn's 20th district. Adams then became the first African American to be elected Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, holding the position until becoming mayor. His career spans law enforcement and public service.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1938: Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter Born

In 1938, Eric Adams's mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, was born. She later worked double shifts as a housecleaner.

September 1, 1960: Eric Adams Born

On September 1, 1960, Eric Leroy Adams was born. He later became an American politician and the 110th mayor of New York City.

1968: Family Moved to South Jamaica, Queens

In 1968, Eric Adams's mother saved enough money to move the family to South Jamaica, Queens.

January 1979: Graduated from Bayside High School

In January 1979, Eric Adams graduated from Bayside High School in Queens. He later attended college while working.

1984: Graduated from New York City Police Academy

In 1984, Eric Adams graduated second in his class from the New York City Police Academy, starting his 22-year career in law enforcement.

1986: Mistaken for a Suspect

In 1986, while working as a plainclothes officer, Eric Adams, a Black man, had guns raised at him by white police officers who mistook him for a suspect.

1993: Controversial Comment During Mayoral Election

During the 1993 mayoral election, Eric Adams made a controversial comment about Herman Badillo, a candidate for New York State Comptroller, saying that if Badillo were concerned about the Hispanic community, he would have married a Hispanic woman and not a white Jewish woman. These comments became a point of turmoil in the election.

1997: Registered as a Republican

In 1997, Eric Adams registered as a Republican, reportedly as a protest against what he saw as failed Democratic leadership. He later switched back to the Democratic Party in 2001.

1999: Pay Raise Last Received

In 2007, Eric Adams advocated for a pay raise for NY lawmakers, who had not received a pay raise since 1999.

2001: Switched Back to Democratic Party

In 2001, Eric Adams switched back to the Democratic Party after registering as a Republican in 1997.

2006: Received MPA from Marist College

In 2006, Eric Adams received an MPA from Marist College, adding to his previous degrees from New York City College of Technology and John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

2006: Elected to New York State Senate

In 2006, Eric Adams was elected to the New York State Senate, representing the 20th Senate District.

2007: Advocated for Pay Raise for NY Lawmakers

In 2007, as a freshman state senator, Eric Adams joined other legislators requesting a pay raise for New York's lawmakers. During his speech on the floor supporting a pay raise for legislators, he said, "Show me the money."

2009: Worked to Foster Compromise in NY Senate Leadership Standoff

In 2009, Eric Adams worked to foster a compromise to nominate John L. Sampson as the Minority Leader of the New York State Senate, during a standoff caused by two Senate Democrats aligning with Republicans.

February 2010: Voted Against Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate

In February 2010, Eric Adams was one of only eight members of the New York Senate who voted against expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate after his assault conviction.

July 24, 2011: Marriage Equality Act Took Effect in NY

On July 24, 2011, New York's Marriage Equality Act came into effect. Eric Adams voted to legalize same-sex marriage in New York in 2009 and again in 2011.

March 12, 2012: Hoodie Protest for Trayvon Martin

On March 12, 2012, Eric Adams and five other state lawmakers wore hooded sweatshirts in the legislative chamber in protest of the shooting of Trayvon Martin.

2013: Elected Brooklyn Borough President

In 2013, Eric Adams became the first black American to be elected Brooklyn Borough President.

2014: Addressed Police-Community Relations after Killings of NYPD Officers

Following the 2014 killings of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Eric Adams wrote an editorial calling on police officers and the community to work together to build mutual respect.

2014: First investigation over One Brooklyn's fundraising

In 2014, Adams's office was investigated twice by the city Department of Investigation (DOI) over One Brooklyn's fundraising. The first investigation was in 2014 when potential attendees were asked if they would provide "financial support" to One Brooklyn.

2016: Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Adopted Plant-Based Diet

After receiving a personal diagnosis of type two diabetes in 2016, Eric Adams adopted and began advocating for policies promoting a plant-based diet and healthier lifestyle.

2016: Switched to plant-based diet

In 2016, Eric Adams switched to a plant-based diet after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He researched alternatives to insulin, consulted with physicians, and made lifestyle changes. He removed animal products, processed sugar, salt, oil, and processed starches from his diet and began exercising regularly. He lost 30 lb (14 kg), reversed his diabetes, and reduced his blood pressure and cholesterol levels within six months.

2016: DOI found that Adams's office had mistakenly licensed the use of Brooklyn Borough Hall for a Mayor's Office event.

In 2016, the DOI found that Adams's office had mistakenly licensed the use of Brooklyn Borough Hall for a Mayor's Office event.

2017: Re-elected Brooklyn Borough President

In 2017, Eric Adams was re-elected as Brooklyn Borough President.

February 14, 2018: Joining efforts to demand stricter gun laws

On February 14, 2018, following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Eric Adams joined Brooklyn students in organizing an emergency meeting at Brooklyn Borough Hall and a rally in Prospect Park, demanding stricter gun laws.

2019: Adams boasted about being a better cop than his "cracker" colleagues

In 2019, Adams boasted about being a better cop than his "cracker" colleagues.

February 2020: Adams on NYPD's "stop and frisk" policy

In February 2020, Adams said that "if you have a police department where you're saying you can't stop and question, that is not a responsible form of policing".

2020: The police unit was disbanded by de Blasio in 2020

The police unit was disbanded by de Blasio in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd.

2021: Migrants were resettled during the years of 2021

114 migrant households were resettled during the years of 2021. The migrants were seeking political asylum.

2021: Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter Death

In 2021, Eric Adams's mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, passed away.

February 2022: Questions about veganism

In February 2022, after multiple reports of Eric Adams eating fish in public, questions arose regarding his adherence to a vegan diet. Adams responded by stating that he follows a plant-based diet but is "perfectly imperfect" and occasionally eats fish.

February 23, 2022: Calling on Companies to Rescind Remote Work Policies

On February 23, 2022, Eric Adams called on companies based in New York City to rescind remote work policies put in place during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for in-person workers to support local businesses.

April 11, 2022: Diagnosed with COVID-19 and Responding to Subway Shooting

On April 11, 2022, Eric Adams was diagnosed with COVID-19 and entered quarantine. While in quarantine, he responded virtually to a shooting on a New York City Subway train in Brooklyn and suggested implementing metal detectors in the subway.

December 2022: Hosting 15 Days of Light Celebration at Carnegie Hall

In December 2022, Eric Adams joined Reverends Al Sharpton and Conrad Tillard, Vista Equity Partners CEO and Carnegie Hall Chairman Robert F. Smith, World Values Network founder and CEO Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, and Elisha Wiesel to host 15 Days of Light, celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa in a unifying holiday ceremony at Carnegie Hall. He spoke about the impact of social media on the hatred.

2022: Migrants were resettled during the years of 2022

114 migrant households were resettled during the years of 2022. The migrants were seeking political asylum.

September 2023: Adams Becomes a Freemason and Scottish Rite Member

In September 2023, Eric Adams, along with New York City Police Commissioner Edward Caban, became a Prince Hall Freemason and a 32nd Degree Member of the Scottish Rite.