Nia Imani Welcomes Sheena Adams as New Executive Director
Milwaukee nonprofit enters a new chapter focused on maternal housing stability, individualized support and stronger pathways for young mothers and their children
Sheena Adams. Image courtesy of Nia Imani Family.
MILWAUKEE — Nia Imani Family has named Sheena Adams its new executive director, marking a renewed commitment to helping young mothers and their children move toward lasting family stability.
Adams will lead the organization’s strategy, programs, fundraising and operations. Her initial priorities include strengthening Nia Imani Family’s organizational foundation, expanding community partnerships and building a sustainable model that responds to the needs and goals of the mothers and families the organization serves.
“Nia Imani is a safe place to land and a stronger path forward for young mothers and their children,” Adams said. “I am honored to lead this organization into its next chapter and work alongside our staff, board, participants and community partners to build a strong and sustainable future.”
Nia Imani Family provides supportive housing and community-based services for pregnant and postpartum young mothers and their children who are navigating housing instability, crisis or transition. The organization recognizes that while a mother may initially come seeking housing, housing is rarely the whole story.
Through one coordinated model and two access points—the Residential Door and the Community Door—Nia Imani helps mothers stabilize, understand their options, connect with trusted resources and develop plans that reflect their individual goals.
The Residential Door provides supportive housing and tailored programming for eligible mothers ages 18 to 25 who are pregnant or less than 14 months postpartum. Mothers may bring children ages 5 and younger and receive housing support for varying periods of up to one year based on their circumstances and needs.
Support may include connections to prenatal, postpartum and pediatric care; transportation; nutritious food; education and employment opportunities; child care; financial planning; wellness resources; and assistance securing applications, IDs, birth certificates and other paperwork needed for housing, benefits, care, school or employment.
The Community Door extends Nia Imani’s programs, resource navigation, partner services, wellness opportunities and continued support to mothers and families who may not need housing, as well as alumnae and other community members seeking connection.
“Nia Imani does not define a mother’s success for her,” Adams said. “Our role is to create the conditions in which she can determine what success means for herself—and move toward it with safety, dignity, information and support.”
Adams brings experience in nonprofit leadership, operations, program strategy and organizational development. She previously held senior leadership roles with the African American Leadership Alliance Milwaukee and PEARLS for Teen Girls, where she led strategic initiatives, strengthened organizational systems and cultivated community partnerships.
“On behalf of the board and the entire Nia Imani Family community, we are pleased to welcome Sheena Adams as executive director,” said Shannon Lopez, president of the Nia Imani Family Board of Directors. “Sheena brings the leadership, vision and accountability needed to serve Nia Imani families well into the future.”
A Milwaukee native, Adams earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Marquette University and a Master of Business Administration from Concordia University Wisconsin. Her leadership approach emphasizes accountability, sustainability and responsiveness to the people and communities the organization serves.
Under Adams’ leadership, Nia Imani Family will continue strengthening relationships with donors, foundations, health and wellness providers, educational institutions, workforce development organizations, housing partners and community leaders.
Community members interested in donating, volunteering, making a referral or exploring a partnership may visit www.niaimanifamily.org, email admin@niaimanifamily.org or call 414-933-1633.
About Nia Imani Family
Founded in 1994, Nia Imani Family Inc. is a Milwaukee-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working to end maternal housing instability, improve maternal and infant outcomes and build pathways to lasting family stability.
For more than 30 years, Nia Imani has served more than 600 women and 1,000 children. Today, the organization provides supportive housing and community-based services for pregnant and postpartum young mothers and their children. Through individualized planning, resource navigation, education and employment connections, wellness support and community partnerships, Nia Imani creates a safe and welcoming space where mothers can stop, think, plan and move toward what comes next.
NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.
