Carol L. Adams, Ph.D. is the founder and co-convener of South Shore Works. As an applied sociologist, she has dedicated her career to the convergence of theory and practice with respect to community economic development and improving the quality of life for residents in neighborhoods that have suffered from poor public policy and long-term disinvestment. Past positions include: President/CEO of DuSable Museum of African American History; Secretary of Human Service for the state of Illinois ; Director of Research and Planning for The Neighborhood Institute (an affiliate of South Shore Bank); Director of Northeastern Illinois University’s Center for Inner City Studies; and Director of Resident Services and Programs for the Chicago Housing Authority.