Cana Brooks Awarded 2025 Jones & Swanson Community Service Scholarship for Her Dedication to Community Service

Cana Brooks, a Leisure Studies major with a Sports Management concentration at Howard University, has been named the recipient of the 2025 Jones & Swanson Community Service Scholarship. This scholarship recognizes students who have demonstrated a significant commitment to improving in-need communities, a criterion Brooks has exceeded through her founding of Cana Cares, an organization dedicated to community outreach and transforming the sports industry into a catalyst for holistic community well-being.

Under Brooks' leadership, Cana Cares has achieved remarkable milestones, including raising $1,300 for homeless youth through a GoFundMe campaign, organizing food and clothing drives, and collecting school supplies for families in need. Additionally, the organization has hosted baby blanket crafting events for new families, raised funds for St. Jude, provided gifts to foster children, and overseen monthly service projects empowering young people to lead community betterment initiatives.

Brooks' ambitions for Cana Cares extend beyond its current achievements. She is in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status for the organization, aiming to expand its outreach nationally. Her vision includes creating sports-based mentorship programs and collaborating with professional athletes to further community initiatives. "A winning season isn't just about the trophies, it's about the lives we uplift along the way," Brooks remarked, encapsulating her philosophy.

The $2,500 scholarship from Jones & Swanson is intended to support Brooks in balancing her academic pursuits with the growth of Cana Cares. Jones & Swanson, a firm with deep roots in the Marietta community, established the scholarship to honor students like Brooks who are making a tangible difference in their communities. With over 45 years of combined experience, the firm has a longstanding commitment to supporting local initiatives and individuals dedicated to positive change.