David Banks Is Mayor-Elect Adams' NYC School Chancellor Pick

NEW YORK CITY — Mayor-elect Eric Adams picked a close ally to become New York City's next schools chancellor.

David Banks will lead the nation's largest school system, Adams announced Thursday.

"Right now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our education system to fix the entrenched inequalities that hold too many children back," Adams tweeted. "I’m proud that @realdavidcbanks will be the next NYC Schools Chancellor trusted to make better schools a reality."

Right now, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our education system to fix the entrenched inequalities that hold too many children back.

I’m proud that @realdavidcbanks will be the next NYC Schools Chancellor trusted to make better schools a reality. pic.twitter.com/n4Wosr2Juf
— Eric Adams (@ericadamsfornyc) December 9, 2021

The pick came as little surprise to many New Yorkers.

Banks was long rumored to be Adams' pick to succeed outgoing Chancellor Meisha Porter, as detailed in a Chalkbeat report. He gained notice as the founder of Eagle Academy, a group of public schools almost exclusively serving boys of color, and grew close to the mayor-elect.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called Banks a "great choice."

"David Banks is a consummate educator and our @NYCSchools families are lucky to have him at the helm – we know that great DOE Chancellors are born at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice!" de Blasio tweeted.

David Banks is a consummate educator and our @NYCSchools families are lucky to have him at the helm – we know that great DOE Chancellors are born at the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice!

Mayor-elect @ericadamsfornyc has made a great choice to lead our schools. https://t.co/86FGNjXmEA
— Mayor Bill de Blasio (@NYCMayor) December 9, 2021