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, elected in 2022. Prior to his mayoral role, Adams had a career in law enforcement, serving over 20 years in the New York City Transit Police and later the NYPD, retiring as a captain. His political career includes serving in the New York State Senate representing Brooklyn's 20th district from 2006 to 2013. Adams also made history as the first Black American elected as Brooklyn Borough President in 2013, a position he held until becoming mayor.

Sections (6)

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

1938: Birth of Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter

In 1938, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, Eric Adams's mother, 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 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 family moved from Bushwick, Brooklyn, to South Jamaica, Queens, after his mother saved enough money to buy a house.

1969: John Lindsay's Mayoral Campaign

In 1969, John Lindsay ran for mayor without the nomination of either major party. Adams became the first incumbent mayor to do so since Lindsay.

January 1979: Graduated from Bayside High School

In January 1979, Eric Adams graduated from Bayside High School in Queens.

1984: Graduated from Police Academy

In 1984, Eric Adams graduated second in his class from the New York City Police Academy.

1986: Mistaken for a suspect by fellow officers

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

1997: Registered as Republican

In 1997, Eric Adams registered as a Republican before switching back to the Democratic Party.

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.

March 12, 2012: Protested Shooting of 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.

2014: Commented on Killings of Eric Garner and NYPD Officers

In 2014, Eric Adams criticized the use of excessive force in the arrest of Eric Garner and the arrest of postal carrier Glen Grays. After the killings of NYPD officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, Adams called for police officers and the community to work together to build a relationship of mutual respect.

2014: Establishment and Investigation of One Brooklyn Fund

In 2014, Eric Adams established the One Brooklyn Fund, a nonprofit organization. In the same year, his office was investigated by the city Department of Investigation (DOI) regarding fundraising practices for the fund.

2016: Adoption of a 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 and consulted with physicians. He adopted a whole food plant-based diet, removing animal products, processed sugar, salt, oil, and processed starches, and began exercising regularly. Within six months, he reversed his diabetes, reduced his blood pressure and cholesterol, and lost 30 lb (14 kg).

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

In 2016, after being diagnosed with type two diabetes, Eric Adams adopted and began advocating for policies promoting a plant-based diet and healthier lifestyles.

February 14, 2018: Joining Student Efforts for Stricter Gun Laws

On February 14, 2018, following the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Eric Adams joined Brooklyn students in organizing an emergency meeting and rally to demand stricter gun laws.

November 17, 2020: Announcement of Mayoral Candidacy

On November 17, 2020, Eric Adams announced his candidacy for Mayor of New York City in the 2021 election.

November 20, 2020: Attendance at Indoor Fundraiser Amid Pandemic

On November 20, 2020, shortly after announcing his mayoral run, Eric Adams attended an indoor fundraiser with 18 people, drawing criticism due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

2021: Mayoral Campaign and Stance on Crime

During his 2021 mayoral campaign, Eric Adams supported the "stop and frisk" policy. Adams's standing in the polls grew stronger in May, and he emerged as the frontrunner due to rising crime in New York, which may have benefited Adams.

2021: Mayoral Campaign

In 2021, Eric Adams participated in the mayoral campaign and was a top fundraiser among Democrats, second only to Raymond McGuire regarding the amount raised.

2021: Migrant Resettlement

In 2021, the Adams administration spent $50,000 to relocate 114 migrant households who entered New York City from the Mexico-United States southern border to countries like China and other states within the United States.

February 2022: Questions Emerge About Veganism

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

February 23, 2022: Call for Companies to Rescind Remote Work Policies

On February 23, 2022, Eric Adams urged New York City companies to end remote work policies, emphasizing the need for in-person workers to support local businesses.

April 11, 2022: COVID-19 Diagnosis and Subway Shooting Response

On April 11, 2022, Eric Adams was diagnosed with COVID-19 and quarantined. During this time, he responded virtually to a subway shooting in Brooklyn, criticizing the overproliferation of guns and suggesting metal detectors in the subway.

June 2022: Unveiling of Affordable Housing Blueprint

In June 2022, Eric Adams unveiled his administration's "comprehensive blueprint" for affordable housing, which was critiqued for being too vague.

December 2022: Hosting 15 Days of Light at Carnegie Hall

In December 2022, Eric Adams and several religious leaders and CEOs hosted 15 Days of Light, celebrating Hanukkah and Kwanzaa at Carnegie Hall, and called for social media companies to address hate speech on their platforms.

2022: Migrant Resettlement

In 2022, the Adams administration spent $50,000 to relocate 114 migrant households who entered New York City from the Mexico-United States southern border to countries like China and other states within the United States.

March 2023: Plans for Office Building Conversions and Housing Proposals

In March 2023, as a result of high office vacancy rates, the New York City Department of City Planning advanced plans to convert vacant office buildings into apartments. Eric Adams faced backlash for proposing "dormitory style accommodations" and apartments without windows.

September 2023: Adams Becomes a Freemason

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

April 2025: Adams Rides Subway with Secretary Duffy

In April 2025, Adams invited U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy for a subway ride following Duffy's critical comments about the subway. They discussed crime rates, mental health, and congestion pricing during their 10-minute ride from Brooklyn to Manhattan.