Canena Adams
https://www.wowjackson.org/
Class of 2019
Independent Alum of the Day
Canena Adams currently serves as the Founder and Director of Women of Worth, Inc. (WOW), and as the Assistant Director of Marriage Matters Jackson (MMJ). Both companies are located in Jackson, MI and serve as local nonprofits in her community that focus on “wholeness”—a healthy mind, body and soul. The overall mission of WOW and MMJ is to see women, youth, and families live their absolute best and healthiest lives. Canena is a wife of 17 years to her business partner and best friend, Gregory Adams. She is also the mother of five children as well as a mentor to many.
Canena has held several leadership responsibilities beyond her current positions at WOW and MMJ. She is also the Interim Executive Director of MMJ, the chair and president of a women’s group (a position she has held for over 14 years), and an Outreach Specialist/Social Worker for her county’s Department on Aging through the local health department.
Canena is a certified Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) Specialist and uses her credentials and expertise for public speaking forums and teaching healthy relationship sessions in local, public, private and charter schools within her community. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master's degree in communication and leadership from Spring Arbor University. Canena considers herself to be very versatile in that she is comfortable in one-on-one settings as well as on larger platforms where she has had audiences of 700 or more. Her motto and favorite saying is: “People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.”
My motivation
My "why" motivates me. For a great portion of my life, I questioned "why" I was here and/or "why" I was born. After years of seeking answers through my faith, mentors, and some deep soul-searching, I finally tapped into my purpose. I am here to serve and help others find their individual and unique place in this world! I believe that every individual was born to fulfill a purpose, and it does not matter whether it’s viewed as big or small. Each person matters to me. I am on a quest to also help others find their "why" and live their absolute best life.
My latest accomplishments
My latest accomplishment is having completed my master's degree while also being a wife, mother of five, and keeping very involved in my community. This was a huge goal of mine as I am the first in my family to attend and graduate from college. I am beyond excited to have achieved this and to be able to share it with my amazing family.
Next big goal
My next big goal is to complete my first book. Due to life experiences and all of the other wonderful things I am involved in, I have put my book on hold for far too long! It's almost completed, and I can hardly wait to share my story with the world. It's a very real, relatable depiction of my childhood and of my personal story of perseverance, including how I used my faith and belief in myself to beat the odds. My hope is to inspire others and share some personal inside tips on how to believe, achieve, and go after one's dreams!
Why is choosing your own path important?
I believe that choosing your own path is very important as it empowers you as an individual to take ownership of your future. It is often said that we can’t choose the circumstances we were born into, but we do have the power to choose as well as create our own future. Granted, no one is an “island”, so this notion of choosing your own path requires humility and a solid support system. Therefore, a huge part of “choosing” demands a multifaceted version of oneself. This means to be humble but not weak, strong but not arrogant, practice faith, and lastly, have zero tolerance for stagnation. It requires action and a mind to overcome and win!
Favorite place on campus
My favorite place on campus is the library. I am a lover of words and I absolutely adore reading!Share this profile
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