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Meet our team
Jamar Adams
Founder & Managing Principal
Prior to founding Essence Development, Jamar Adams was the Vice President of New York Development at Related Companies. From the time he joined Related in 2012, Mr. Adams focused on the redevelopment and preservation of affordable multifamily housing across the United States including $800M+ in transactions and $1.5B+ in development. In New York City, Mr. Adams led the construction and rehabilitation of nearly 5,000 affordable and workforce housing units. Projects under his purview include Riverwalk Park, a new construction workforce housing building on Roosevelt Island; Marine Terrace, a multi-family housing project for Veterans in Astoria, Queens; Phase 1 of Willets Point, a mixed-use neighborhood in Queens; Rockaway South, an affordable supportive housing building in Far Rockaway; and more.
Before his time at Related, Mr. Adams played in the National Football League with the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and sits on the board of their Alumni Association and its LEAD Scholars. Mr. Adams is also a mentor to young professionals and is actively involved in organizations committed to enhancing educational and economic opportunities including 100 Black Men of America as well as the Business of Sport School in New York City.