Eric Adams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eric Adams
Adams in 2023
110th Mayor of New York City
Incumbent
Assumed office January 1, 2022
Deputy	Lorraine Grillo Sheena Wright Anne Williams-Isom (acting) Maria Torres-Springer
Preceded by	Bill de Blasio
18th Borough President of Brooklyn
In office January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021
Deputy	Diana Reyna Ingrid Lewis-Martin
Preceded by	Marty Markowitz
Succeeded by	Antonio Reynoso
Member of the New York State Senate from the 20th district
In office January 1, 2007 – December 31, 2013
Preceded by	Carl Andrews
Succeeded by	Jesse Hamilton
Personal details
Born	Eric Leroy Adams (1960-09-01) September 1, 1960 (age 64) New York City, U.S.
Political party	Democratic (before 1995, 2002–present)
Other political affiliations	Republican (1995–2002)
Domestic partner	Tracey Collins
Children	1
Residence	Gracie Mansion (Official)
Education	New York City College of Technology (AA) John Jay College of Criminal Justice (BA) Marist College (MPA)
Occupation	Politician police officer author
Signature
Police career
Department	New York City Police Department
Years of service	1984–2006
Rank	Captain

Eric Leroy Adams (born September 1, 1960) is an American politician and a former police officer. He is currently the 110th mayor of New York City, serving since 2022. Before becoming mayor, he was the Borough President of Brooklyn.

Adams was elected mayor of New York City in 2021. As mayor, he has focused on public safety. He brought back a special unit of police officers and has worked to address homelessness in the subway system.

Early Life and Education

Eric Adams was born in Brownsville, Brooklyn on September 1, 1960. His mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, worked hard as a housecleaner. His father, Leroy Adams, was a butcher. His parents moved to New York City from Alabama in the 1950s.

Adams grew up in Bushwick, Brooklyn in tough living conditions. His family was very poor. By 1968, his mother saved enough money to buy a house in South Jamaica, Queens. Eric was the fourth of six children. As a boy, he sometimes earned money by cleaning car windows.

At age 14, Adams faced challenges and was arrested for trespassing. He spent a few days in a juvenile center. This experience motivated him to join law enforcement. A local pastor suggested he could help reform police culture from within.

Adams graduated from Bayside High School in 1979. He struggled with grades until he learned he had dyslexia in college. After this discovery, he improved his grades greatly. He earned degrees from New York City College of Technology, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and Marist College. He now supports early dyslexia screening in schools.

Policing Career

Adams served as a police officer for 22 years. He worked for the New York City Transit Police and later the New York City Police Department (NYPD). He graduated second in his class from the New York City Police Academy in 1984.

He worked in different areas of New York City. In the 1990s, Adams led the Grand Council of Guardians. This was an association for African American police officers.

Early Political Journey

In the 1990s, Eric Adams started thinking about a career in politics. His main goal was to become the Mayor of New York City. He changed his political party from Democratic to Republican in 1997. He switched back to the Democratic Party in 2001. Adams said he joined the Republican Party as a way to protest what he felt was poor leadership from Democrats at the time.

New York State Senator (2007–2013)

In 2006, Adams ran for the New York State Senate. He won the election and served four terms. He represented the 20th Senate District. This district includes parts of Brooklyn neighborhoods like Brownsville and Crown Heights. He served as a State Senator until 2013.

Brooklyn Borough President (2013–2021)

Adams in 2020

On November 5, 2013, Eric Adams was elected Brooklyn Borough President. He won with a very high percentage of the vote, 90.8 percent. This was more than any other candidate for borough president that year. He was re-elected in 2017. In both elections, he ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

2021 Mayoral Campaign

On November 17, 2020, Adams announced he would run for Mayor of New York City. He was one of the top fundraisers among the Democratic candidates.

Adams ran as a moderate Democrat. His campaign focused on making the city safer. He supported police reform but was against reducing police funding. Public health and the city's economy were also important issues for his campaign. He suggested ideas like tax credits for low-income families and improving public housing.

Adams ran against Republican Curtis Sliwa in the general election. He was expected to win. On November 2, 2021, Eric Adams was elected Mayor of New York City. He won with 67.4% of the votes.

Mayor of New York City (2022–Present)

Mayor-elect Adams at a Chabad House in Accra, Ghana

Eric Adams became Mayor of New York City on January 1, 2022. He was sworn in just after the New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Times Square. He held a picture of his mother, Dorothy, who had recently passed away. He is the second African American mayor of New York City. The first was David Dinkins, who left office in 1993.

Adams with President Joe Biden and Governor Kathy Hochul in February 2022

Adams speaking about his subway safety plan in February 2022

Soon after becoming mayor, Adams started a policy to address homelessness in the subway system. Police officers and mental health professionals worked together. They helped homeless people move from subways to shelters or facilities. The Adams administration also worked to clear homeless encampments.

In February 2022, about 1,430 New York City workers were let go. This happened because they did not get vaccinated against COVID-19. Adams kept this vaccine rule, which was started by the previous mayor. In March 2022, Adams ended the city's vaccine rule for indoor places. He also ended the mask rule in public schools.

Mayor Adams asked companies in New York City to have their employees return to offices. He said, "You can't stay home in your pajamas all day." He explained that people working in offices help local businesses. This helps keep everyone employed in the city.

In June 2022, Adams shared his plan for affordable housing. Some people felt the plan was not detailed enough. It did not suggest specific rezoning changes to build more homes.

New York City received many asylum seekers from Florida and Texas. Adams planned to set up special tent cities for them on Randalls Island. After about a month, the tent city closed. The migrants were moved to hotels in downtown Manhattan.

In late 2022, Adams announced an effort to help mentally ill people. This policy allows police and care workers to help people who cannot care for themselves. They can be taken to psychiatric institutions for help. This applies even if they are not a direct danger to themselves or others.

In March 2023, the city planned to change empty office buildings into "affordable" apartments. This was due to many offices being empty. Adams suggested some apartments might be like dorms and not need windows.

In 2022 and 2023, Adams and city labor unions agreed on a plan. This plan would move city retirees from traditional Medicare to a new private Medicare Advantage plan. Many retirees have protested this agreement.

In 2023, the Adams administration spent money to help 114 migrant families. These families had entered New York City from the southern U.S. border. They were relocated to other countries or states.

In July 2023, during the New York City migrant housing crisis, Adams said New York City was running out of space and resources. This was due to the large number of migrants arriving.

On June 23, 2023, Adams vetoed a bill about housing vouchers. This bill would have made more homeless families eligible for help. The City Council later voted to override his veto. This was the first time the Council overrode a mayor's veto since Michael Bloomberg was mayor.

On January 30, 2024, the New York City Council voted to override another of Mayor Adams's vetoes. This was for the How Many Stops Act. This new law limits solitary confinement in city jails. It also requires police officers to take detailed notes during interactions with the public.

Adams has promoted changes to New York City's zoning laws called the "City of Yes." The first part of the plan was approved in December 2023. It makes it easier to do eco-friendly building renovations. The second part, approved in June 2024, gives businesses more flexibility. The third part, planned for December 2024, aims to allow more housing in every neighborhood. Supporters say it helps with the New York City housing shortage.

In May 2024, Adams created a commission to suggest changes to the New York City Charter. These changes will be voted on in November. Some critics said the proposals were designed to limit the City Council's power.

Personal Life

Eric Adams has never been married. He has one son, Jordan Coleman, with his former girlfriend Chrisena Coleman. His son is a filmmaker and television actor. Adams is currently in a relationship with Tracey Collins. She is a Senior Youth Development Director for the New York City Department of Education.

Adams is a non-denominational Christian. In September 2023, he became a Prince Hall Freemason. He has said that Mahatma Gandhi inspires him.

Plant-Based Diet

In 2016, Eric Adams changed his diet to be plant-based. He did this after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. In October 2020, Adams published a cookbook called Healthy at Last. This book shares his health journey and promotes a plant-based diet. He also contributed to another book called Brotha Vegan in 2021.

Images for kids

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  Adams with Judge Rachel Freier in 2016

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  Adams with Councilmember Kalman Yeger and members of the Jewish community

See also

In Spanish: Eric Adams (político) para niños