Adam Dennis Delano Mayberry (AD)

AD, a third-generation Oakland native, was born and raised in the city where his early life experiences would later shape his dedication to violence prevention and youth mentorship. Growing up without his father present and facing challenges at home, Adam found himself drawn to the streets at a young age, leading to early interactions with the justice system.These experiences, though difficult, taught Adam valuable lessons about discipline, routine, and personal growth—skills he now uses to connect with and mentor young people facing similar challenges.

Since 2009, Adam has dedicated himself to community violence prevention work, starting as an outreach worker with Healthy Communities. His journey in this field has evolved alongside changing community needs, from traditional outreach to becoming a certified life coach and violence interrupter. Adam has worked with various organizations including La Familia’s Alameda County Justice Resource Project, California Youth Outreach (CYO), and Bay Area Community Services (BACS), where he continues to serve as a Residential Counselor supporting transitional housing efforts.

As a Violence Interrupter at CURYJ, Adam focuses his work in schools, including Ralph Bunch High School in West Oakland, where he mentors at-risk youth. He believes that intervening early in young people’s lives creates invaluable impact. His approach focuses on helping youth stay focused on their strengths, talents, and potential, rather than being drawn into geographical violence. Drawing from his own experiences as a father of five and grandfather, Adam understands the importance of consistent support and guidance for young people.

When not working, Adam enjoys playing chess, basketball with his kids, and spending time with his wife and grandchildren. He remains actively connected to Oakland’s violence prevention community, supporting organizations like Department of Violence Prevention, Boss, and Youth Alive, while building networks with other violence interrupters across the city.