Alma Adams

Snapshot

Dr. Alma S. Adams has represented North Carolina's 12th Congressional District since November 2014, when she won a special election to replace Mel Watt, who left to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Adams became the 100th woman serving in the 113th Congress. Before entering federal office, she served 10 terms in the North Carolina General Assembly representing District 26, where she chaired the NC Legislative Black Caucus, pioneered the Displaced Homemakers Bill, and led the state's first minimum wage increase in nine years. Adams taught art at Bennett College in Greensboro for 40 years and was the first African American woman elected to the Greensboro City School Board. She also served nine years on the Greensboro City Council. In Congress, Adams founded the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus in 2015 and serves as its co-chair. She is currently in her sixth full term and is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.