Adam Clayton Powell IV (politician)
| Adam Clayton Powell IV | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 68th district |
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In office January 1, 2001 – December 31, 2010 |
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| Preceded by | Nelson Antonio Denis |
| Succeeded by | Robert J. Rodriguez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 1962 (age 54) San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Spouse(s) | Andrea Dial (divorced) |
| Alma mater |
Howard University Fordham University |
| Profession | Politician |
Adam Clayton Powell IV (born Adam Clayton Powell Diago in 1962) is an American politician from the state of New York. He was a member of the New York State Assembly from 2001 to 2010. From 1992–1997, he served as New York City Council Member representing East Harlem and parts of the Upper West Side and the South Bronx. Beginning in 2001, Powell represented the 68th Assembly District, which includes parts of Harlem and East Harlem. He was defeated by Charles Rangel in the 2010 Democratic Primary for the seat of the 15th Congressional District.
Powell was born to Civil Rights leader and former congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. and his third wife Yvette Diago in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He was named Adam Clayton Powell Diago, as is the Spanish naming custom of using the mother's surname as part of his official name. Powell's maternal grandfather Gonzalo Diago was a mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico and served as such from 1941 to 1945. When his parents separated, Powell's mother was granted custody, and he was raised and educated in Puerto Rico.
In 1980, Powell moved to the mainland United States to study at Howard University in Washington, D.C.. He changed his surname by dropping his mother's surname "Diago". He then continued to use the name Adam Clayton Powell IV. This has caused confusion as his half-nephew, 8 years younger than he, was also named Adam Clayton Powell IV. He later earned a law degree from Fordham University in New York.
Powell ran successfully for the New York City Council in 1991. In 1994, Powell challenged Representative Charles B. Rangel for his seat in the United States House of Representatives, but lost. In 1997, he ran for Manhattan borough president, but lost to C. Virginia Fields.
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