From 1992 to 1997, he served as New York City Council Member representing East Harlem and parts of the Upper West Side and the South Bronx.
[1] Powell's maternal grandfather Gonzalo Diago was a mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico and served as such from 1941 to 1945.
[4] When his parents separated, Powell's mother was granted custody, and he was raised and educated in Puerto Rico.
This has caused confusion as his half-nephew, 8 years younger than he, was also named Adam Clayton Powell IV.
Powell was successful in a hearing with an Elections Department Referee; on appeal the lower Supreme Court reversed the decision.
When Powell ran for Congress in 1994, he raised $64,000, 10% of which came from residents of his state,[9][10] while the remainder were donated by contributors from Miami and New Jersey, including $5000 from Free Cuba PAC, Inc.,[11][12] headed by leading Cuban-exile community figure Jorge Mas Canosa who made a $1000 personal donation to Powell.
[14][15] Powell said he accompanied several lawmakers on the Ireland trip, which was sponsored by the New York American-Irish Legislators Society as a means to raise awareness of the issues that affect the Irish community.
[14][15] In 2008, Powell was arrested and charged for allegedly driving while intoxicated (DWI) on the Henry Hudson Parkway in New York City.