Adamu headshot

Emerson Fellow

Maryam Adamu

20th Class, 2013-2014

Born in North Carolina to Nigerian parents and raised in four states, Maryam now calls Pine Bluff, Arkansas home. She graduated from Northwestern University in 2013 with a degree in political science. Maryam interned with Illinois State Representative Sara Feigenholtz, volunteered at 826CHI, a non-profit writing and tutoring center with an asset-based approach, and worked as the Project Assistant for the Sustainable Agriculture/Food Safety Initiative at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Additionally, Maryam served as the Co-Director of the Global Engagement Summit, a student-organized conference aimed at building the capacity of the next generation of social justice leaders.

Field placement: Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Maryam recruited community organizations to operate the Summer Food Service Program. She provided technical assistance for potential sites and connected existing sites with food providers, volunteers, and other resources. Maryam also redesigned outreach materials to increase program participation in Allegheny County.

Policy placement: Center for American Progress

Washington, D.C.

Maryam worked with the Poverty to Prosperity and Progress 2050 teams at the Center for American Progress on anti-poverty policy research and analysis utilizing a racial equity lens. She conducted research, wrote policy briefs, and planned educational events to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act.

Publications