Betty Campbell-Adams
Betty Campbell-Adams Park Angel Award
The Board and Staff of Van Cortlandt Park Alliance were devastated to learn of the passing of Betty Campbell-Adams, owner of Lloyd’s Carrot Cake on December 11, 2020. From her beloved storefront across the street, Betty was a devoted supporter of the park for decades.
In June of 2020, VCPA had the distinct pleasure of honoring Betty at our virtual benefit, PICNIC in Your Living Room, for her leadership in the community. We are so happy that we were able to tell Betty how much she meant to Van Cortlandt Park, the Alliance, and millions of park-goers.
In 2021, Van Cortlandt Park Alliance created the Betty Campbell-Adams Park Angel Award to honor Betty’s longtime dedication to Van Cortlandt Park. Now an annual award, “The Betty” is presented to a member of the community, recognizing their devotion to the betterment of the park.
Betty Campbell-Adams 1955-2020
About Betty
Betty Campbell-Adams was the owner and manager of Lloyd’s Carrot Cake, the venerable boutique bakery started 35 years ago by her late husband, Lloyd Adams. Lloyd’s now has two locations in Riverdale and East Harlem, and has garnered great reviews for its famous carrot cake.
With assistance from her two children, Lilka and Brandon, Ms. Campbell-Adams continued to expand the strategies, started by her husband, to make Lloyd’s Carrot Cake a widely distributed product and a recognized brand.
New York Magazine rates Lloyd’s carrot cake as one of their critic’s favorites. The Daily News has labeled it as “24 Carrot Good.” Lloyd’s Carrot Cake has been featured on The Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and Crain’s New York Business’– “My New York Story.” Lloyd’s was noted in O Magazine as being good to the last crumb. In 2018, Lloyd’s was honored as the “Taste of New York” by the New York Hospitality Alliance.
Betty was a cable industry veteran. Prior to taking over Lloyd’s, she was the Director of Marketing for Time Warner Cable of NY where she developed and implemented strategies for Video-On-Demand and Pay-Per-View. Ms. Campbell-Adams was an ardent supporter of local organizations. She sat on the board of CWOP (Child Welfare Organizing Project), KRVC, Development Corporation, and, RMSA (Riverdale Main Street Alliance). In 2017 Ms. Campbell-Adams was honored by the New York State Assembly as the “Bronx Business Woman of the Year.”
A native of the Caribbean port of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, she immigrated with her parents to the United States as a youngster. She attended primary school in New York and is a graduate of CUNY City College.
Betty Campbell-Adams was a shining light in this world. Her warmth and extraordinary generosity will be remembered by all who knew her.
Betty took time out of her busy day at the shop for this interview with VCPA Board member Gary Axelbank for the Picnic on June 16, 2020.