By: Curtis Bunn Alonzo Adams, growing up as the only child in Plainfield, New Jersey, spent much of his child-hood in solitude. Due to a rare condition requiring two nose surgeries, he became further isolated from his peers. How-ever, his solace came in the form of art. By the time he reached fifth grade, Adams recognized his innate artistic talent. Despite initially pursuing engineering at Rutgers University at his mother’s behest, Adams quickly realized it wasn’t his true calling aft er struggling with calculus. His life took a pivotal turn when he discovered the work of Charles White, a Black artist known for his poignant depictions of Black life. Encouraged by a supportive professor, Adams switched his major to fine arts and began his journey as an artist. “Th e Start,” his first oil painting depicting a runner poised for a race, symbolized the beginning of his artistic career. Since then, Adams has emerged as one of the nation’s foremost artists capturing the essence of Black culture. His clientele includes prominent figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment, with Basketball Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning being his most notable collector. Despite his success, Adams remains humbled by the support his work receives, preferring it to speak for itself. Adams’ connection to celebri-ties extends beyond his art.

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