Alma Adams

Alma S. Adams is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 12th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Adams has been in office since 2014, following her election to fill a vacancy in the House of Representatives. She has a background in education and art, having previously worked as a college administrator and art professor. Throughout her political career, Adams has focused on various issues affecting her constituents and has been an advocate for education and the arts.

Early life and career

Alma S. Adams was born on May 27, 1946, in High Point, North Carolina, to Benjamin Shealey and Mattie Stokes. Raised primarily by her mother, who worked as a domestic worker, Adams experienced a childhood marked by the challenges of economic hardship. Her family moved to Baltimore, Maryland, during her early years before eventually settling in Newark, New Jersey. In Newark, she attended West Side High School, a predominantly white institution, from which she graduated in 1964.

Following high school, Adams pursued higher education at North Carolina A&T State University in Greensboro. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in art education in 1969 and a Master of Science degree in the same field in 1972. During her time at the university, she took on leadership roles, including serving as president of the Arts Circle and becoming a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.

Adams began her professional career in education shortly after completing her graduate studies. She was appointed chair of the art department at the Palmer Institute, where she taught students in grades seven through twelve. Her academic pursuits continued, and she earned a Ph.D. in art education and multicultural education from Ohio State University in 1981. Subsequently, she joined the faculty at Bennett College in Greensboro, where she taught until 2012 and also served as the director of the Steel Hall Art Gallery. In 1990, she co-founded the African American Atelier with artist Eva Hamlin Miller, an organization aimed at promoting awareness and appreciation of African American visual arts and culture.

House tenure

Alma Adams began her political career in local governance, serving on the Greensboro City School Board from 1984 to 1986. She then transitioned to the Greensboro City Council, where she served from 1987 until her appointment to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 1994. Adams was appointed to fill the seat of Representative Herman Gist, who had passed away while in office. At the time of her appointment, she had already announced her candidacy for the upcoming Democratic primary.

In the primary election, Adams faced O.C. Stafford, a businessman and perennial candidate, and emerged victorious. She subsequently won a full term in the 1994 general election against Republican candidate Roger G. Coffer. Over the years, Adams successfully defended her seat in subsequent elections, often facing Stafford, who had switched to the Republican Party. Following redistricting in 2002, her district was renumbered from the 26th to the 58th. In that election cycle, Adams faced a Libertarian candidate who withdrew from the race but remained on the ballot; she won reelection with a significant majority.

Throughout her tenure in the North Carolina House, Adams held several leadership roles, including chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus, a position she held twice, and chair of the North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus Foundation, which provides scholarships for students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. She also served in various committee leadership roles, including vice chair of the Government Committee and chair of the Appropriations Committee.

In 2014, following the appointment of Mel Watt to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, Adams announced her candidacy for the special election to represent North Carolina's 12th congressional district. She filed paperwork to run in both the Democratic primary for a full two-year term and the special election to fill the remainder of Watt's term. Adams was sworn into office on November 12, 2014, becoming the 100th female member of the congressional class.

Legislative focus and committees

Since her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Alma Adams has focused on a range of legislative issues, particularly those that impact her constituents in North Carolina. Her background in education has informed her advocacy for policies that support educational initiatives and funding. Adams has also been a proponent of the arts, reflecting her professional history as an art educator and administrator.

In Congress, Adams has served on various committees, where she has been involved in shaping legislation and addressing issues pertinent to her district and the broader national landscape. Her committee assignments have allowed her to engage with a diverse array of topics, from education and labor to economic development and community services.

Throughout her congressional career, Adams has maintained a commitment to representing the interests of her constituents, drawing on her extensive experience in both education and local governance. Her legislative efforts reflect her dedication to improving the quality of life for the residents of North Carolina's 12th district, as well as her broader goals of promoting equity and access in education and the arts. As of January 3, 2027, Adams is expected to continue her service in the House, having been elected to a total of seven congressional terms.