David Adams,
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Chief executive, The Urban Assembly
While he was an undergraduate at Rutgers University, David Adams first became aware of the importance of social-emotional learning.
Adams recalls his professor in a class on community psychology explaining that the educational system could help students solve problems constructively if it engaged them holistically. The theory resonated.
Today Adams is CEO of The Urban Assembly, a Financial District–based nonprofit that develops learning tools and public school programs for student growth. The organization has partnered with public schools in the city on social-emotional initiatives. Its Algebra Success curriculum helps pupils, especially from underserved populations, grow as math students. A postsecondary course allows teenagers beginning in ninth grade to imagine their life after high school. Another program integrates social-emotional learning into the classroom.
“Social-emotional development has to be at the core of any school’s efforts to assist young people in making good choices,” Adams said.
After Rutgers, Adams worked for the city’s special education district, and he received a master’s degree in education psychology from Fordham University. Nine years ago Adams joined The Urban Assembly, where he has been CEO for approximately 18 months.
He has been an Army reservist for 19 years, and he was nominated in 2019 for the MacArthur Leadership Award.
“Adams has brought new energy and spirit to our mission,” said the Rev. Jacques DeGraff, past chairman of the board at The Urban Assembly. “His commitment to the children of New York City is unparalleled.”
“The Urban Assembly is a beacon,” Adams said, “for what we can accomplish when we invest in young people.”