Howard University student Cana Brooks has been named the recipient of the 2025 Jones & Swanson Community Service Scholarship, a $2,500 award recognizing her outstanding commitment to community service through her organization, Cana Cares. Brooks, a Leisure Studies major with a Sports Management concentration, has leveraged sports as a vehicle for social change, addressing the needs of underserved communities in innovative ways.
Cana Cares, founded by Brooks, has organized numerous initiatives including fundraisers for homeless youth, food and clothing drives, and school supply distributions for families in need. The organization has also hosted baby blanket crafting events for new families and raised money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. These efforts demonstrate Brooks' dedication to making a tangible impact on people's lives, aligning with the scholarship's mission to support students who serve in-need communities.
Brooks is currently in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) status for Cana Cares, with plans to expand its reach nationally. This expansion would enable the creation of sports-based mentorship programs and partnerships with professional athletes, further amplifying the organization's impact. Brooks believes that a winning season is not just about trophies but about uplifting lives, a philosophy that drives her work.
The scholarship is sponsored by Jones & Swanson, a Marietta-based personal injury law firm. The firm selected Brooks for her embodiment of the scholarship's values and her innovative approach to community service. The $2,500 award will help Brooks balance her academic pursuits with the growth of Cana Cares.
This recognition underscores the importance of community service in higher education and the potential of sports to foster holistic well-being. For vendors in the human resources industry, Brooks' story highlights the growing trend of integrating social responsibility into talent management and employee engagement strategies. Companies may look to support similar initiatives as a way to attract and retain purpose-driven talent.
Brooks' work also illustrates how sports can be a powerful tool for community development, offering lessons for HR vendors developing programs that align with corporate social responsibility goals. As Cana Cares expands, it may serve as a model for partnerships between businesses and community organizations, creating opportunities for vendors to engage with emerging leaders in the social impact space.
