Speaker Adams becomes the first African-American Member to lead the historic Women-Majority Legislative Body  

City Hall, NY – The New York City Council today elected Council Member Adrienne E. Adams as Speaker. Speaker Adams is the first African-American Council Member to become Speaker of the City’s legislative body, the most diverse in its history. She will lead the historic Council’s first women majority. Additionally, this is the first time the Council has its first two Korean American members; its first Muslim woman member; its first two South Asian American members; the first two openly LGBTQ Black women members; and its first Gen-Z member.

“I am humbled to have the support of my colleagues as the next Speaker of the City Council,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Today is a historic moment for so many reasons, and I am honored to serve as the first African American Speaker in a Council that truly represents New York City in 2022. This Council has many challenges ahead as we confront the COVID-19 pandemic and the issues it punctuated. By working together, we can improve the lives of New Yorkers in a meaningful way for generations to come.” 

[See here for a copy of the Charter Meeting remarks, as prepared for delivery.] 

Speaker Adams represents Council District 28 in Queens, which covers the neighborhoods of Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill, and South Ozone Park. During the last legislative session, Speaker Adams served as Chair of the Committee on Public Safety, which has oversight over the New York Police Department. Before being appointed to chair the Committee on Public Safety, Speaker Adams was Chair of the Subcommittee on Landmarks, Public Sitings and Dispositions. She also served as Co-Chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC).

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