IBW Congratulates Chairman Richard Adams on Receiving Prestigious Proclamation from City of Pittsburgh

Mayor Ed Gainey and the city honor Richard Adams for over four decades of leadership, integrity, and civic engagement

The Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW, IBW21) extends its heartfelt congratulations to our esteemed Chairman of the Board, Richard Adams, on receiving a distinguished proclamation from the City of Pittsburgh and its Mayor, Ed Gainey, on September 4, 2024. This honor recognizes Mr. Adams’ lifelong commitment to leadership, integrity, and community engagement, which he has demonstrated both locally and nationally. As Chairman of IBW for the past 20 years, Mr. Adams has been a visionary force, guiding our organization with dedication and a tireless passion for justice and equity. We are immensely proud of his achievements and grateful for his unwavering service to our mission.

About Richard “Rick” Adams

Richard M. Adams Jr. is a lifelong resident of Pittsburgh’s east end. A graduate from the city’s Westinghouse High School, he received a B.A. from Bowdoin College with a double major in Government and Afro-American Studies and earned a Master of Arts in Business Communications from Jones International University.

Richard “Rick” Adams is a retired college administrator having worked for the Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC) for 36 years (July 1985-Nov. 2021). During his tenure at CCAC he served the school filing many roles over the years including Assistant to the President, Special Assistant to the President for Diversity and Inclusion, Assistant Vice President for the Center for Learning, Assistant Dean of Enrollment Management and Assistant Dean of CCAC Homewood. Rick worked from 1975 – 1985 as an organizer of Operation Better Block.

He is currently President of Primary Care Health Services Inc. (PCHS) which operates 10 ambulatory care centers in Allegheny County (Board member since 1977). Rick is a Chairman of the Board of Directors of The Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW) (20 years) and is Co-Convener of the Western Pennsylvania Black Political Assembly (WPBPA) (21 years) and is a founding member of the Bowdoin College Black Alumni Association (BCBAA) (2 years). Rick served on the A.  W. Mellon Pittsburgh Crafting Democratic Futures Report (2021-July 2024) as a Community Partner crafting Community-Based Reparations Solutions

Ex-officio member of the National African American Reparations Commission (NAARC). Rick is Associate Program Manager for Black World Media Network Black World Media Network (BWMN) a 24/7 Pan-African music, audio/video commentary web station (2 years).

Community Activities

Rick has served with countless community groups to uplift and develop the Black community over the years including the Million Man March Mobilization Committee, the African American Leadership Association (AALA), the African American Elders Council, Urban Youth Action, Black Political Empowerment Project (BPEP), the African American United Front (AAUF) and the Homewood Renaissance to name a few. Rick believes as a Christian that his life ministry is to serve the Black Community in developing its spiritual, social, cultural, economic quality of life for every individual, family, and neighborhood without exception.

In 1988 Rick was the campaign manager for the Western Pennsylvania Jesse Jackson Campaign for President and served as state chair and a national Board member of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. He has run for public office several times including an independent campaign for the Pittsburgh City Council where he came in second with 31% of the vote in a November General election.

In 1984 Rick convinced the Port Authority of Pittsburgh (PAT) Board to name the new East Busway after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Feb 1985 to Dec 1989 School Board Member
Pittsburgh Public School District
Pittsburgh Pa. First appointed by Mayor of Pittsburgh
Subsequently elected to a full term

Jan 1979 to Dec 1985 Commissioner
Pittsburgh Human Relations Commission Pittsburgh Pa.
Appointed by the Mayor of Pittsburgh

Radio Talk Show Host- Over 30 years

Black World Media Network– Commentator Web Stream Feb 2022-present
WCXJ 1550 AM, TALK 16 AM, WRCT 88.3 FM Pittsburgh Pa.
“Ebony Spectrum” WRCT 88.3 FM 2005-Present
“Friday Focus” TALK 16 AM 1999
“BlackTalk” WCXJ 1550 AM 1996-1999
“Linkages” WCXJ 1550 AM 1992-1994