Dr. Berenecea Johnson Eanes, president of York College, CUNY invites you to join her for the next Executive Leadership Breakfast (ELB), to be held on Wednesday, October 13, 2021. This latest event in the ELB series will take place in the digital space and feature three members of the Queens community, sharing their expertise on the topic: Gun Violence in the Community. Featured panelists will include Ms. Erica, founder and CEO, of Life Camp, Inc. an organization, which uses positive methods for conflict resolution amongst young people who would otherwise resort to violence as a means of settling scores. Also on the panel will be Councilmember Adrienne Adams, District 28.  She is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Public Safety.

Hon Adrienne E. Adams

A lifelong resident of Southeast Queens, Council Member Adrienne E. Adams was elected to the New York City Council in November 2017, becoming the first woman elected to represent City Council District 28, which covers the Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Richmond Hill, and South Ozone Park.

Council Member Adams was raised in Hollis, Queens; attended St. Pascal Baylon Elementary School and Bayside High School; and earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Spelman College. At the time of her 2017 run for City Council, Ms. Adams was in her third term as Chairperson of Community Board 12, Queens – the 2nd largest Community Board in the borough. Professionally, she is a Corporate Trainer who has worked in Human Capital Management at several Fortune 500 corporations, specializing in Executive Training and Telecommunications Management. After minoring in Early Childhood Development, Council Member Adams also worked as a Child Development Associate Instructor, training child care professionals to meet the requisite goals to obtain the CDA (Child Development Associate) credential in accordance with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Code of Ethics.

Council Member Adams’ experience includes appointed membership on the Queens Public Library Board of Trustees, one of the largest library systems in the United States, comprising 62 branches throughout the borough. The Queens Library maintains the highest circulation of a municipal library system in nation. Additionally, Ms. Adams was appointed to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Local Planning Committee (LPC) for the Jamaica Downtown Revitalization Initiative, which provided a $10 million dollar award for neighborhood transformation, helping to support several projects to advance the community’s vision of vibrancy and economic stability. Council Member Adams is also former co-chair of the Jamaica NOW Leadership Council, a diverse group of stakeholders who provide oversight of the revitalization and economic development of the downtown Jamaica core, which encompasses over $150 million in funding. The Council oversees a plan that outlines strategic actions in the areas of workforce and business development, education, health and wellness, public safety, youth development, housing, transportation, and urban design improvements for the revitalization and growth of Jamaica, Queens.

Ms. Erica Ford

A graduate of York College, CUNY, Erica Ford is an internationally-recognized and widely-respected peacemaker, Erica Ford has been at the forefront of reducing youth and community violence in New York City and beyond for over 30 years.

Believing in the power of partnership, Erica has championed personal and systemic approaches to conflict resolution worldwide. Through LIFE Camp, Inc.’s groundbreaking programs, Ms. Ford has empowered thousands of individuals and families to break the cycle of violence and promote peace. Erica’s concept for increasing safety has been adopted and implemented by New York City resulting in a 10% reduction in violence citywide.

Through the years, Erica’s dedication to reducing violence among New Yorkers has garnered countless awards, accolades and praise by notable public figures such as former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Oprah Winfrey and hip hop mogul Russell Simmons. Her recognized leadership has brought extensive travel and teaching opportunities in prisons, community centers, high schools, college campuses and conferences throughout the world.

Erica Ford is widely respected as one of the most diligent and hardworking activists of her generation. She is uncompromisingly dedicated to improving the lives of Black and Latino youth and the community-at-large.  For more than 30 years, this outstanding leader and internationally recognized peace activist has led the effort to combat violence and inspire youth in devastated communities.