Judge Wanda E. Adams


Wanda Adams was first elected as Harris County Justice of the Peace Precinct 7, Place 1, in 2020 after serving 7 years on the Houston Independent School District Board of Education and the limit of three two-year terms as a member of the Houston City Council for District D.

Judge Adams is a native Houstonian and product of HISD, graduating as a basketball standout from Kashmere High School. She received an athletic scholarship to Texas Southern University, where she earned her bachelors of science degree in public affairs administration of justice and a master's degree in public administration.

She has served as a professor of political science at her alma mater, where she also hosted the KTSU public-affairs radio program "Impact Houston Live." She brought to her classroom and the radio program not only experience as an elected official but a long career in public service. She served on the NCAA Final Four Sustainability Committee and the Super Bowl LI Sustainability Committee. Judge Adams is also the first African American woman to be appointed to serve on the Harris County Appraisal District Board of Directors.

As a public servant, Judge Adams has been committed to support for the homeless, veterans, the disabled, and mentally ill, and is a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness and women affected by domestic violence.

She is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and has had the honor of being appointed to national committees, including the Social Action Commission and the National/Regional Housing Task Force. She also served as a trustee for the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and is a member of Leadership Houston Class 30.

Judge Adams is a Sunday school teacher for the Fountain of Praise Church, through which she participated in a mission trip to Cape Town, South Africa. Judge Adams has traveled throughout the world - including Africa, Europe, and South America.

Among her awards are having a community park and community door named in her honor;2021 The Fountain of Praise Servant Leader Award, 2021 Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award, 2021 The Barbara Jordan Mickey Leland School of Public Affairs Alumni in Residence. 2018 Women Making History Leadership Award from Texas Democratic Women of Harris County; Kashmere Former Athletes Association inductee into the 2018 Kashmere Ring of Honor; Black Professional Cowboys and Cowgirls Association 2017 Trailblazer of the Year; 2017 Servant Leader Award from Fountain of Praise Church; 2017 Communication and Leadership Award from Toastmasters International; 2017 Knights of Peter Claver Living Legends Award; d-mars.com's Top 30 Influential Women and Top 50 Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs; Houston Woman magazine's Top 50 Women in Houston; the Houston Area Association for the Education of Young Children's Elected Official of the Year Award; selection to RollingOut.com's Top 25 Women; and the Award of Distinction from the National Forum of Black Public Accountants. Judge Adams also partnered with KRIV Fox 26 on a television news special, "Diversity in the Classroom," at Westbury High School. The program won a 2015 Lone Star Emmy Award, 2014 Super Lady 2014 Honoree.