Ingrid P. Lewis-Martin (born February 28, 1961) is an American chaplain and political advisor.[1][2][3] She has served as chief advisor to Mayor of New York City Eric Adams since 2022.[4] Sometimes called "The Lioness of City Hall", Lewis-Martin is a longtime ally of Adams.
Ingrid Lewis-Martin | |
|---|---|
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| Chief Advisor to the Mayor of New York City | |
| Assumed office January 10, 2022 | |
| Mayor | Eric Adams |
| Preceded by | position established |
| Deputy Borough President of Brooklyn | |
| In office September 1, 2019 – December 31, 2021 | |
| Borough President | Eric Adams |
| Preceded by | Diana Reyna |
| Succeeded by | Diana Richardson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 28, 1961 Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Glenn D. Martin |
| Education | John Jay College of Criminal Justice (BA) |
Early life and career
editLewis-Martin was born in Brooklyn and raised in the Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights neighborhoods, her father immigrated from Barbados and her mother was born in New York City but grew up in Panama.[5] She graduated from John Jay High School and attended SUNY Old Westbury before transferring to John Jay College, studying criminal justice.[6] She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha.[7]
Lewis-Martin previously worked as a public school teacher and as an instructor at Medgar Evers College. She got her start in politics volunteering for U.S. Representative Major Owens, then served as his deputy campaign manager. She would go on to serve as chief of staff in the New York State Senate for Adams.[7]
Chief Advisor to the Mayor
edit
Lewis-Martin has served as chief advisor to Adams since 2022. In 2023, she was charged with a $1,000 fine for abusing her position to financially benefit an aide who owed her money.[4]
Investigations
editOn September 27, 2024, in the midst of the investigations into the Eric Adams administration, federal investigators searched Lewis-Martin's home, then seized her phones and served her with a grand jury subpoena on arrival at JFK Airport. Lewis-Martin was returning from a vacation in Japan alongside Jesse Hamilton and Adam Clayton Powell IV.[8] A search warrant published by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office stated that they were investigating five charges, including: bribery, falsifying business records, offering a false instrument for filing, and money laundering.[9]
Personal life
editLewis-Martin is married to Glenn D. Martin, a police officer who trained with Eric Adams. A Pentecostal, Lewis-Martin is an ordained chaplain. She lives in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. Lewis-Martin is a member of the Order of the Eastern Star.[7]
References
edit- ^ Rosenthal, Brian M.; Mays, Jeffery C. (June 18, 2023). "The 'Fiercely Loyal' Adams Adviser Agitating From Inside City Hall". The New York Times.
- ^ "The Most Powerful New Yorkers You've Never Heard Of". Intelligencer. October 23, 2023.
- ^ Anuta, Joe. "Top New York City Hall aide worked quietly with state super PAC". Politico.
- ^ a b Sommerfeldt, Chris (January 5, 2023). "Top Adams adviser Ingrid Lewis-Martin fined $1,000 for misusing her post to financially benefit aide". New York Daily News.
- ^ Shapiro, Todd (April 9, 2023). "A Front Seat to NYC's Rebirth: Mayor Eric Adams Top Aide Ingrid Lewis-Martin Helps Navigate Rough Seas". Dan's Papers. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Victoria Schneps (February 18, 2019). "Power Women with Victoria Schneps: Ingrid Lewis-Martin" (Podcast). Schneps Media. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c Brendlen, Kirstyn (February 16, 2022). "Ingrid Lewis-Martin represents Brooklyn's best as Adams' chief advisor". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
- ^ Rashbaum, William; Rubinstein, Dana; Mays, Jeffery (September 27, 2024). "Agents Seize Phones From Adams's Top Adviser and Subpoena Her". The New York Times. Retrieved September 27, 2024.
- ^ Gross, Courtney (October 10, 2024). "Manhattan DA probes bribery within Adams administration". NY1. Retrieved October 11, 2024.