“No Matter What, Our Flag Will Still Be There”: Exclusive Interview With New York Mayor Eric Adams

New York City Mayor Eric Adams arrived at 4 o’clock on the dot for his The Pavlovic Today exclusive interview, exuding a metropolitan savoir-faire and a sharp sensitivity to the city’s beautiful mosaic of diversity. Stepping onto the national political scene amid the pandemic, Adams, once self-described as a “new face of the Democratic Party,” emerged as the key figure in reopening New York City for business. To this day, the mayor who promised his agenda to be about “GSD—getting stuff done,” steadfastly calls upon those who sought refuge in Florida to “get your butts back to New York City because New York City is where you want to be.”

Adams’s story in politics is far from ordinary. He isn’t a product of elite private schools, nor was he born into wealth. He isn’t part of a dynasty, but rather, a living testament to New York’s unshakable belief that anything is possible.

When asked about his own understanding of the American dream, Adams paused thoughtfully before responding, “That’s a great question. Many interviews we do, no one really hones in on that. I think that properly defining the American Dream is something that we need to do.”

Born and raised in New York City, the first elected Black Mayor of the “concrete jungle where dreams are made of,” Adams has faced his fair share of trials and tribulations in life. He emerged with a fundamental truth that challenges one faces are not cul-de-sacs. In many ways, the American Dream personifies the energy of New York City—a dream that Mayor Adams’s life journey personifies.

“America says, bring your culture and put it first. If you’re a Russian-speaking American, Ukrainian-American, German-American, it tells you never to abandon your culture. You have an adopted land that you love, but your homeland remains important to you. And that dream suggests that the possibilities are endless,” Mayor Adams delved into the essence of the American Dream.

“You could come here as a dishwasher and end up owning a chain of restaurants,” he continued. Mayor of the center-of-the-word revealed that he collects inspirational stories of Americans “whose loved ones arrived here with a dollar in their pockets and became major entrepreneurs.” Adams loves a good American rugs-to-riches story. One poignant example he brought up during our interview is the first generation American, Jenifer Rajkumar, whose mother was born in a mud hut in India to see her daughter make history by becoming the first Asian Indian-American elected at the state level. “A woman,” Adams emphasized. “And that’s the dream.”

The American Dream, according to Mayor Adams, has a simple entry point. “The dream says, if you work hard, anything and everything is possible. That is the only predetermined fact that allows you to pursue the American Dream. And it’s not easy. It can be challenging. But there’s always a reward waiting for you if you’re willing to give it your all,” he stated.

Speaking of the economic system that forms the bedrock of the land of the free, Adams defines it as “compassionate capitalism.” He elaborated, “The more we make, the more we should be giving back. I like to say— if you look under the fingernails of every ethnic group—you see the dirt and grime of climbing up the mountain one hand at a time to be at the top of the American Journey.”

As one of six children in a New York City household Mayor Adams recounts that life was not always easy, a stage in his life he openly talks about. And yet, there was an American dream awaiting, a dream within reach for the son of a single mother, Dorothy Mae Adams-Streeter, who worked as a housekeeper and cook. The hardships young Eric Adams faced became a relatable, teaching point in his biography.

Reflecting on these experiences, he shared, “The reason I acknowledge so many other groups is because I’ve learned through those hardships: having a learning disability, being bullied because of it, finding myself on the wrong side of the law, living on the verge of homelessness, experiencing domestic violence—all of those obstacles.”

He continued, “I’ve learned that there are dark places where my mother told me that a dark place does not necessarily have to be a barrier. It can be a planting. And when I look back over my life, those dark moments were just that. They were plantings,” he reflected.

“I came out with a different understanding, and they were all the lessons,” he added. 

Tough life experiences, according to Adams, have shaped his ability to maintain composure in challenging situations.

“With all that I am encountering, I have this level of calmness, because I realized that no matter how dark the day may be, it’s just preparing you for tomorrow. And all you have to do is sit still for some time and ask what are the lessons that I’m learning,“ he formulated a universal lesson in life. 

“I think all those who come to this country, they may be migrants, immigrants, they may be here undocumented. But as long as you are here, there is a chance. And once you just stay focused on that, and they’re not alone, people tend to believe that ‘Oh, I’m here alone.’ No, everyone has come through this way. I think all of our new arrivals and those who have been here, with some time, they realized, the possibilities are always here in America.”

One of the recurring themes in Mayor’s Op-Eds the Pavlovic Today runs every week, and in his public appearances are vivid childhood images of him and his siblings clutching their bags of clothes teetering on the edge of homelessness, always uncertain of what the next day would bring. Reflecting on these formative experiences and their profound impact on his vision of the American dream, Mayor Adams shared a deeply personal story, a poignant narrative of perseverance amidst adversity.

“Mother was raising six of us, alone. And it was a struggle, it was extremely challenging,” he shared. “There was always a fear that any day, the marshals would come and throw us out. And mom did not want us to have the lack of a change of clothing. So she would give us a bag, we all had a bag with our name on it, with change of clothing,” he recounted.

This experience earned the Adams children the label ‘garbage bag kids’  but little did anyone know that later in life the today’s mayor of NYC would overcome a life of poverty by turning it into a symbol of resilience.

 “Mom used to always realize that, you know, she didn’t want us to be humiliated.” He continued, “And somehow, some way she was always able to eke up enough money to slow them down. We’d be four or five, six months, the house would be on the verge of foreclosure. But she would make a way. And as long as you stay in the game, you have an opportunity to win the game,” he shared. 

Adams on Serbian-Americans and Balkan communities at large 

Since the start of his tenure, Mayor Adams has placed significant emphasis on supporting immigrants and underserved communities across the city. One of those communities is the Balkan community, the Mayor has a good relationship within New York City.

Earlier this year, Mayor Adams inaugurated Serbian Heritage Day on February 26, a historic first. The proclamation was celebrated with a flag-raising ceremony at Bowling Green Park in Manhattan.

One of the reasons, Adams pays attention to the communities who are underserved, he explained, is because “all the communities matter for me.”

He noticed that during “our most difficult times” such as COVID-19, the immigrants were the ones delivering food, working in hospitals, providing services as nurses and doctors.

“They were stocking our shelves, they were opening their restaurants, they still had to drive away the hunger, they knew that they had to survive,” he shared. “And when I look at the communities, no matter how large or small the population is, and for the most part, you have in New York, some of the largest populations from the various communities  if you were to do an analysis,  I’m sure the Balkan community numbers are probably the largest here in New York City,” he said.

The Mayor understands that “substantive things,” like ensuring community safety, fostering diversity in education, and celebrating these diversities, truly matter. However, he also acknowledges the significance of “symbolic” things in the civic life of New York. These include flag-raising ceremonies, hosting events at Gracie Mansion—the official residence of the Mayor of New York City—visiting houses of worship, and traveling to various countries.

“I am probably the only man that has gone to just about all the South American countries and many of the Eastern Bloc countries to Asia and other places. And so that is what I bring: not only do I respect the substantive things that must be done here for these various communities, like the Balkan community, but also the symbolism that comes with it. And that’s the role of the mayor, to be substantive and symbolic. They go together.”

Mayor Adams: I am going to attend EXPO 2027 in Belgrade

In a historic interview with The Pavlovic Today, Mayor Eric Adams addressed Serbian-Americans as the first mayor ever to delve deeply into the shared values and principles he identifies within the community.

“You find that the community fits into the narrative of those who are part of the emergent immigrant population,” he said.

“They believe in faith. They believe in family, they believe in business. And most importantly, for me, they believe in safety. They support the police department. And they know that public safety is the prerequisite to our prosperity. That those are the cornerstones of a great society. And when you look at the community, they clearly believe in those foundational issues.”

Serbian President Vucic has extended invitation to Mayor Adams to visit Belgrade for EXPO 2027. Asked if he is going to attend this international fair entitled “play for humanity”, he had some news to share. 

“Yes, I am going to attend EXPO 2027. I’m looking forward to it. I’m extremely excited about it,” confirmed Mayor Eric Adams exclusively to The Pavlovic Today.

“And we will continue to grow and build better relationships up through the Counsul Generals, and through the community residents that are here. One of the best pathways we found to accomplish that task is looking at the houses of worship, and the youth organizations and sports,” he revealed.

As the first Black mayor of New York City, Mayor Adams is a role model for underserved communities of color. Reflecting on his own journey, how would he describe the experience of breaking the glass ceiling for himself and others?

“By building together the various networks and communities,” he responded. “People did not fully understand why I spent so much time at the various immigrant communities, first-time voters. But I knew that they wanted a mayor who would acknowledge their existence and be there to support them. And that meant a lot and I think that has helped propel me to become the mayor of the city.”

Adams: My favorite song I play every time on Tuesdays is New York,  Jay-Z’s version

In his sixties, Adams exudes positive energy and doesn’t hesitate to refer to himself as a “mayor with swagger,” a nod to his blue-collar roots. His ability to connect to all walks of life he contributes to “uniqueness” of the his life experience and authenticity.

“People in politics, tried to live within the political boundaries, and try to come across as they are perfect. I say from the beginning, I’m perfectly imperfect. This is a city of imperfect people. No one is perfect. And I’m unapologetic about saying I will make mistakes. I will get things right. Sometimes I won’t. But I will always work hard,” he said.

“So it’s not about perfection. It’s about dedication—and that’s something that I’m dedicated to do. And my favorite song I play every time on Tuesdays. Is New York. Jay Z’s vversion, because it really, ‘if you could make it here, you can make it anywhere.’ That’s New York City.

Hakeem Jeffries, a New York Democrat, hailing from Brooklyn, New York City, is also seen as the Black leader with a certain je ne sais quoi. Is this confidence a quintessential New York or Brooklyn trait? Just as Jeffries famously quoted Notorious B.I.G. on the Senate floor with “if you don’t know, now you know,” Mayor Adams similarly has a favorite song lyric from his favorite rapper that encapsulates the vibrant spirit and relentless energy of New York City.

“My favorite song I play every time on Tuesdays is New York,  Jay Z’s version. Because, it’s really, ‘if you could make it here, you can make it anywhere.’ That’s New York City. 

Adams on Public Safety: The numbers speak for themselves

Mayor Adams was elected in 2022 on a law and order platform. According to an NYPD report, across the five boroughs in May, there were 261 fewer crimes committed compared to the same month last year. According to the same report, other major categories, such as robbery and felony assault, saw increases in May, primarily due to perpetrators fleeing crime scenes on illegal, unregistered motorized scooters, bikes, or other vehicles. How would Mayor Adams evaluate his administration’s strides thus far in the fight against crime? What message does he have for New Yorkers in terms of public safety?

“Public safety is a constant battle,” he said openly. “There are three parts of the criminal justice system, you have the police, you have the prosecutors, you have the judges, and all of us have to fall under the guidelines of the state lawmakers. And that’s sort of the fourth arm that many people don’t realize. And there are real challenges when laws don’t effectively stop,” he went to the crux of the issue. The “extreme” consequences, Mayor observed, come from “people who commit crimes over and over again.” Illustrating his point, Adams cited the case of the individual responsible for the shooting of Officer Jonathan Dillard, a person arrested a staggering twenty times.

“That hurts our public safety, “ he stated.  Adams said that many steps that the law, in some cases where the action is required “doesn’t give us the authority like we will want it.” The mayor’s proposed remedy involves  “getting the laws right to partner with what we’re doing every day in the streets.”

Assessing his administration’s handling of crime, the Mayor asserted, “The numbers speak for themselves.” He pointed to the double digit reductions in shootings and homicides in New York City, having now down to five of the seven major crimes in the city. “We have a decrease in overall crime, ” he added. Adams pointed out that 4.1 million people use the subway system daily in New York City.

“Yet, we only have an average of six felony crimes a day with 4.1 million people,” he emphasized. Adams acknowledged the tendency for people to highlight the most severe crimes occurring on the New York subway system. “But the reality is,” Adams continued, “those numbers speak for themselves.”

“When you do a chart of which city is the safest big city in America, it is overwhelmingly New York City. And we need to always remember that. So we cannot allow the high profile cases to take over the narrative that we are not the safest big city in America,” stated Adams praising the role of the New York City Police Department in maintaining the city’s safety.

From Police Brutality to Mayor: Eric Adams’ Full Circle Moment

Adamses’ American dream came full circle on a day when, as a Mayor-Elect, he gave a speech in the same 103rd precinct in Jamaica, Queens where as a 15 year teenager he and his brother were brought in. Young boys experienced police brutality on their  own skin. They were subjected to repeated kicks to the groin, a traumatic episode in the lives of young boys.

Standing in that same precinct  many years later delivering his speech  to police on his first day as mayor, Adams revealed to the Pavlovic Today what was running through his mind in that very moment. 

“Our national anthem,” he revealed. “One line in the national anthem always inspires me: ‘The rocket red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.’ No matter what we go through: Those bombs can be the bombs of COVID. It could be the bombs of terrorism, it could be the bombs up in a misfortunate encounter. But at the end of the day, after September 11, when our trade center was attacked, the next day on September 12, we got up, a flag was still there. And no matter what we go through here in this country, we will still get through and our flag will still be there.”

Mayor Adams: A lot of people are book smart, but they’re not street smart

Going through circles of life, education has played an important item on his policy agenda in New York City. Whether this education would be book smart or street smart, what steps is he taking to improve educational opportunities in New York City to empower the youth and keep them off the street?

“I think that was important what you said, education could be book wise or could be street wise, because they both are important. A lot of people are book smart, but they’re not street smart. And we don’t only have to be academically intelligent, we need to be emotionally intelligent. A lot of that comes from seeing the interactions in the streets every day. And we really have really zeroed in and focused on education, ” said New York Mayor.

Mayor Adams’s administration has implemented a range of initiatives, spanning from early education programs to dyslexia screenings for all children. Adams highlighted that 30% of inmates at Rikers Island are dyslexic. He is prioritizing a shift in reading curriculum to emphasize phonics-based learning. New York City has outpaced the state in reading and writing metrics, a point emphasized by Mayor Adams.

 “We’re teaching our children how to develop their full personhood, ” Adams underscored. This encompasses teaching youth techniques like breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, and fostering healthy eating habits. This comprehensive approach aims to establish a robust foundation for future generations of well-rounded New Yorkers.

“Our children must know in a changing environment, how they can use the full personhood to overcome the difficult times that they are facing,” said Adams.

Adams highlighted internship programs in New York City, including the Summer Rising, which offers a comprehensive learning experience throughout the summer. He pointed out initiatives such as summer youth employment and programs that teach financial literacy and communication skills.

“Then we need to talk foster care children,” he said. “Traditionally, they aged out every year without any real support. We are now paying their college tuition. And we also given them a stipend. And we are giving them a life coach into the 21 instead of aging out at 18.”

Youth empowerment plays an important role in Mayor’s policy agenda. “We have a full focus on developing our young people to be ready for the future. Because, they’re not leaders of tomorrow, they are leaders of today.”

Adams’s legacy aims to forge meaningful connections not only on a political level but more profoundly on a human level. His aspiration for his legacy is simply for people to say,  “I was one of you, you know.”

In this intricate dance between governance and its architects lies an indelible footprint upon humanity—the initial draft of history woven not just with laws and regulations, but also with the aspirations, personal struggles, and triumphs of those who shape our collective American story.

Pausing briefly, Adams shared that the legacy he hopes to leave behind centers around a straightforward idea: “If, during my time in office, people could say ‘he was one of us’—he was not only a person who could bear the weight of the city, but he was someone you didn’t mind having a beer with.”

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