Assemblyman
Adam Clayton Powell, IV

68th Assembly District
New York

powella@assembly.state.ny.us

Assemblyman Adam Clayton Powell, IV was born in Puerto Rico into one of the most dynamic legacies in American political leadership history. His father was the legendary Civil Rights and political leader Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. considered by many the greatest African American elected official in this country’s history. His mother’s grandfather, Don Gonzalo Diago, was Mayor of San Juan in the 1940’s. As the scion of distinguished and notable political families, Powell is naturally committed to public service, and throughout his career, has shown a determination to help those most in need. Serving as a member of the New York City Council, as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx and as a member of numerous civic groups, he has for a long time dedicated his efforts to improving the lives of New York City residents and to citizen participation in the political process.

From 1992-1997, Powell served as a New York City Council Member representing East Harlem and parts of the Upper West Side and the South Bronx. He helped raise the standard of education by ensuring that every public school building in his district was equipped with state-of-the-art computer labs. Through his efforts to bring the Magic Johnson Theaters to some of New York’s most blighted areas, Powell also helped to create new job opportunities and economic development. Powell has employed his organizational skills and leadership abilities for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) helping to bring order and hope to communities decimated by natural disasters.

Powell represents the 68th Assembly District in the New York State Assembly which includes parts of Harlem and East Harlem. In the Assembly, he sits on four committees: Housing, Insurance, Small Business, and Corporations, Authorities and Commissions. He is also the Chairman of the Sub-Committee On Insurance Investments and Market Policies in Underserved Areas. He passed the law known as S.C.R.I.E. (Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption) which exempts seniors from paying any rent increases if their income is under $24,000/yr and more than 30% of that goes to rent.

As a public servant, Adam has been on the front lines battling for us; even going to jail to defend the principles of human rights for the people of the island of Vieques. For an exhaustive 11 years, Adam, with deep personal conviction and vision, co-produced for Showtime the movie "Keep The Faith, Baby" the first movie ever about his legendary father, Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Adam is an activist, legislator, visionary, and a respected leader.

Powell earned his undergraduate degree from Howard University and a law degree from the Fordham University School of Law. He is a member of several organizations including the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS and the Harlem Red Cross. He lives in Manhattan and is the proud father of a 16-year-old son named – what else? – Adam Clayton Powell V, whom he affectionately calls Junior.