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, assuming office in 2022. Prior to his political career, Adams served over 20 years in the New York City Police Department, retiring as a captain. He transitioned to politics, serving in the New York State Senate from 2006 to 2013, representing Brooklyn's 20th district. Subsequently, he was elected Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, making history as the first Black American to hold the role, and was re-elected in 2017. His career spans law enforcement and public service in New York City.
1938: Birth of Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter
In 1938, Eric Adams' mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, was born. She worked as a housecleaner and had a third-grade education.
September 1, 1960: Eric Adams Born
On September 1, 1960, Eric Leroy Adams was born. He would later become a police officer, New York State Senator, Brooklyn Borough President, and the 110th Mayor of New York City.
1968: Family Moved to South Jamaica, Queens
In 1968, Eric Adams' family moved to South Jamaica, Queens, after his mother saved enough money to buy a house.
January 1979: Graduated High School
In January 1979, Eric Adams graduated from Bayside High School in Queens.
1986: Incident with fellow police officers
In 1986, while working as a plainclothes officer, white police officers raised their guns at Eric Adams, mistaking him for a suspect.
1997: Registered as Republican
In 1997, Eric Adams registered as a Republican, a move he later described as a protest against Democratic leadership.
1999: NY Lawmakers last pay raise
Eric Adams argued that lawmakers hadn't received a raise since 1999.
2000: Racial Profiling Concerns
In 2000, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights said stop and frisk constituted racial profiling.
2001: Switched back to Democratic Party
In 2001, Eric Adams switched back to the Democratic Party after previously registering as a Republican in 1997.
2006: Received MPA from Marist College
In 2006, Eric Adams received a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from Marist College.
2007: Supported Pay Raise for NY Lawmakers
In 2007, as a freshman state senator, Eric Adams supported a pay raise for New York lawmakers, saying "show me the money" during his speech.
2009: Marriage Equality Vote
In 2009, Eric Adams voted in favor of marriage equality in New York State and supported the freedom to marry during the debate.
February 2010: Voted Against Expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate
In February 2010, Eric Adams was one of eight New York Senators who voted against expelling Senator Hiram Monserrate after he was convicted of assault.
July 24, 2011: Marriage Equality Act in effect
On July 24, 2011, New York's Marriage Equality Act came into effect.
2011: Supported Federal Investigation into Stop-and-Frisk
In 2011, Eric Adams supported calling for a federal investigation into the NYPD's stop-and-frisk practices.
March 12, 2012: Protested Trayvon Martin Shooting
On March 12, 2012, Eric Adams and other state lawmakers wore hooded sweatshirts in the legislative chamber to protest the shooting of Trayvon Martin.
2014: Wrote Editorial on Police-Community Relations
Following the 2014 killings of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Eric Adams wrote an editorial for the New York Daily News calling for police officers and the community to work together.
2016: Switched to Plant-Based Diet
In 2016, Eric Adams switched to a plant-based diet after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, leading to significant improvements in his health.
2016: Diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes
In 2016, after receiving a diagnosis of type two diabetes, Eric Adams adopted a plant-based diet and began advocating for healthier lifestyles.
February 14, 2018: Response to Parkland Shooting
Following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, Eric Adams joined efforts to demand stricter gun laws and supported reinstating solitary confinement after an officer was beaten at Rikers Island.
October 2020: Published Cookbook
In October 2020, Adams published the plant-based advocacy cookbook, Healthy at Last: A Plant-Based Approach to Preventing and Reversing Diabetes and Other Chronic Illnesses, which also chronicles his health journey.
November 17, 2020: Adams Announces Mayoral Candidacy
On November 17, 2020, Eric Adams announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City in the 2021 election, becoming a top fundraiser among Democrats.
November 20, 2020: Indoor Fundraiser Criticism
On November 20, 2020, Eric Adams attended an indoor fundraiser shortly after announcing his mayoral run, drawing criticism due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.
December 2, 2021: Adams Visits Ghana
On December 2, 2021, Eric Adams visited Ghana, including a visit to the Elmina Castle.
2021: Mayoral Campaign and Crime
During his 2021 mayoral campaign, Eric Adams's stance on crime and policing gained traction as crime rates rose in New York City.
2021: Contributor to Brotha Vegan Anthology
In 2021, Adams was a contributor to the anthology Brotha Vegan: Black Men Speak on Food, Identity, Health, and Society.
2021: Authorized Grant for Plant-Based Curriculum
In 2021, Eric Adams authorized a grant from the borough to SUNY Downstate College of Medicine to establish a plant-based supplemental curriculum.
April 11, 2022: COVID-19 Diagnosis and Subway Shooting Response
On April 11, 2022, Eric Adams was diagnosed with COVID-19 and, while in quarantine, responded to a mass shooting on a New York City Subway train, calling for measures to address gun violence.
September 2023: Became a Prince Hall Freemason
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.
