WS Chronicle

Denise “DD” Adams’ journey is deeply rooted in the legacy of Black leadership, resilience, and community empowerment. Born and raised in Winston-Salem — a city with its own rich African American history — Adams grew up witnessing the struggles and triumphs of Black communities during the civil rights movement and in the present day. This historical backdrop shaped Adams’ passion for public service and advocacy. 

“Black love is Black history,” Adams said in an interview with The Chronicle. “Black history is making sure that everybody is reached out to, and no Black person is left behind. That’s Black love; that’s Black history.” 

Adams has fought for marginalized and underserved people since she was a young girl in segregated schools. She recalled a moment when she stood up for another student who was being singled out by a teacher for being darker than the other Black children. 

“As a little six-year-old, I jumped up and said, ‘You can’t treat her like that. It’s not right … you’re not right!’” At that time, Adams’ outrage was aimed at a Black teacher. “We don’t understand that it wasn’t just the system or white people traumatizing us, we also did a lot of trauma to our children and others in the community.” 

This realization set Adams on a path of advocacy for the voiceless. 

After graduating from Morgan State University with a degree in speech communication, Adams returned home and began a successful career in the manufacturing industry, which culminated in her retirement from Johnson Controls Inc. in 2013. This extensive professional background has equipped her with a deep understanding of the city’s economic landscape and the challenges faced by its workforce. 

Since joining the Winston-Salem City Council in 2009, Adams has ascended to key leadership roles, including mayor pro tempore, vice chair of the Finance Committee, and chair of the Community Development/Housing/General Government Committee. Most recently, she was appointed to the National League of Cities, a federal advocacy committee that makes local issues a priority in federal policy. In these capacities, she has been instrumental in shaping policies that promote economic development and address housing needs. But she realizes if it weren’t for those who came before her, it would not have been possible. 

“I was blessed to be under the wings of the late Earline Parmon, Marie Hill Roseboro, whose father founded Western Mutual, Velma Hopkins, Lee Faye Mack, V.K. Newell and Doris White. I was around strong African American women that were just like me. I began to blossom and grow even more into who I am under the tutelage and wings of those women. They exposed me even more to the political aspects of Winston-Salem — the divide of Black and white. To how our city is divided — and is still divided.” 

Adams has used her platform to advocate for racial equity in housing, education, and public health. Her work on initiatives addressing food insecurity, such as the Think Orange campaign, echoes the self-sufficiency programs launched by the Black Panther Party, which emphasized community-driven solutions to systemic inequalities. 

Adams’ leadership on the Winston-Salem City Council has focused on securing resources for Black entrepreneurs, advocating for workforce development programs, and ensuring that minority communities have access to quality housing. These efforts mirror the work of Black activists and policymakers who have historically fought for economic self-sufficiency. 

As a lifelong resident of Forsyth County, Adams carries around a wealth of Winston-Salem’s little-known Black history facts. She mentioned one such fact regarding the important role that Black funeral homes played in the African American community. 

“We didn’t have ambulances and EMTs; we had Black funeral homes. All the Black funeral homes had ambulances. If you called the operator for help and you were in the Black community, it went to the funeral homes. That was Black love. The funeral homes saw a need in the community, and they filled it. They don’t get the recognition for that. They saved lives. They didn’t just take care of families after a life; they took care of families when life was in danger.” 

Adams also spoke of the American Legion Post 220’s role in shaping the Black residents of Winston-Salem. 

“It was everything in East Winston for our soldiers and veterans. My mom and dad were part of the original 15 charter members. Most don’t know, but the post served as a social club. They did get-out-and-vote campaigns and Christmas giveaways for the children. This goes back to Black history, Black love. All the love they showed us … that post is now basically defunct. Before I leave this place, I’m going to resurrect Post 220 Ralph R. Morgan and its history that it brought to Winston-Salem’s African American community.” 

This year marks Adams’ fifth term on the city council; she is going into her 16th year of public service for the Winston-Salem community. Through her activism, Adams ensures that the fight for Black progress remains a priority. When asked what’s next on her agenda to exact change, Adams said she’s been enlisted by God to continue the fight. 

“My service is needed, if it’s nothing but to engage and inspire younger people and others. When the clarion call comes this next time, the strategy will already be thought about and worked out. I am hopefully going to be one of the ones to help create it and get it out and be a soldier, a sergeant, a captain, a general,” she said. 

Adams’ track record speaks for itself. Through her extensive service and unwavering commitment, Adams continues to be a pivotal figure in Winston-Salem’s ongoing development, prosperity, and push for equitable resources for all residents. But she says her real success is the lives she’s touched and helped change. 

“I want people to tell what made their connection to me,” Adams said about what she hopes her legacy will be. “Whether it was a child I taught tennis to back in the ’70s or a child I taught golf at the First Tee … or me helping to raise the wage for a sanitation employee and their family. That’s what I want people to hear about me. I don’t need my name on a building or a mural. I want them to tell how my efforts made their lives better.”