Mr. Michael Adams Jr.

Mr. Michael Adams Jr. is a commercial lending VP with Independence Bank, currently the fifth largest Kentucky based bank with over $3.2B in assets. Since graduating from Kentucky State University in 2008, he has spent most of his professional career in business lending, helping small businesses thrive through financial resources including access to capital. This experience had also equipped him to become a small business owner himself. Originally from Pontiac Michigan, Adams attended KSU on a football scholarship where he also participated in the Student Government Association, pledged the Psi Psi Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., and served as president of the campus Pan-Hellenic Council. Since graduating KSU with a bachelors’ degree in business administration and a minor in management, he has worked diligently to accomplish the assignment that God has for his life while serving and uplifting people and causes that God directs him to along the way.  

Adams has served and continues to serve the Frankfort and Lexington communities in various capacities. He is currently the sponsorship subcommittee chair of the Lexington Bluegrass Area Minority Business Expo which provides resources to help minority businesses grow. Adams is a board member of the Commercial Property Association of Lexington which advocates for the development and improvement of commercial property. He co-founded and is currently the VP of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild Inc. (KBBG) which is a 501c3 organization that bridges the gap between African Americans and an $8.6B bourbon industry through institutional and distillery partnerships, education, and workforce development. Adams was on the founding board that brought the Bourbon on the Banks festival to Frankfort in 2019. Lastly, he mentors 20 male students of color at Edythe Jones Hayes Middle School in Lexington.

Of his many accomplishments, Adams without a doubt considers his greatest to be his 8-year old son, Noah Adams. He enjoys spending time with Noah and family, mentoring, working out, traveling, live music, and indulging in everything bourbon. Adams is honored to be an appointed Regent of KSU and looking forward to protecting and expanding our rich legacy.