Shemicka Adams, M.Ed., BCBA
Shemicka Adams, M.Ed., BCBA, is a visionary nonprofit leader and Board-Certified Behavior Analyst committed to strengthening children, families, and communities. As Executive Director of Home of Potential and Excellence (H.O.P.E.), she leads a Nashville-based organization providing year-round academic enrichment, social-emotional development, and family empowerment programming designed to create measurable, lasting impact. With more than a decade of experience in special education and behavior analysis, Adams earned her master’s degree in Special Education and certification in Applied Behavior Analysis from Lipscomb University. She spent six years serving students with diverse learning needs in Metro Nashville Public Schools, where she also led as a department chair, teacher mentor, and extended learning site director. Grounded in faith-centered servant leadership, Adams focuses on building sustainable systems that equip families with structure, strategy, and support. Through H.O.P.E., she continues to make intentional deposits into children and families building confident learners, strengthening households, and developing the next generation of leaders. Her guiding belief is simple yet powerful: strong families create strong communities. She has been recognized as an influential leader in Nashville for her commitment to strengthening communities through strong family units. Beyond her professional endeavors, she enjoys spending time with family, traveling, attending sporting events, and volunteering with various organizations in the community.
• Board-Certified Behavior Analyst
• Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Special Education
• Mississippi State University – Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Social Work
• Lipscomb University – Master of Education (M.Ed.), Special Education and Teaching
• Lipscomb University – Applied Behavior Analysis
• Influential Woman 2026
• Woman Who Rock 2023
• Home of Potential and Excellence
• Victor Chapman Productions
• Corner to Corner
• Mt. Zion Baptist Church Next Gen Youth Ministry
• One Gen Away
What do you attribute your success to?
My success is rooted in faith and strengthened by the mentors and supporters who have invested in my growth. Leading with prayer and surrounding myself with wise counsel has allowed me to stay focused, aligned with my purpose, and committed to serving with integrity.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I received is to get a mentor. Having someone to guide you, provide insight, and offer encouragement has been invaluable throughout my career.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I encourage young women to ensure they have strong systems and processes in place, to stay true to their vision, and to trust the process. These principles help maintain focus, consistency, and integrity while building a career or organization.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in our field right now is sustainability. Many organizations are doing impactful work, but they struggle with consistent funding, staffing capacity, and scalable systems. There is also an increasing demand for academic and behavioral support services that far exceeds available resources.
At the same time, this presents a tremendous opportunity. Organizations that focus on measurable outcomes, strong governance, and strategic partnerships can position themselves for long-term growth. The opportunity lies in building sustainable ecosystems of support rather than isolated programs ensuring families receive comprehensive, year-round solutions.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are faith, integrity, service, and excellence. I believe in leading with transparency and accountability, ensuring that my actions align with my words. Service is at the core of everything I do whether supporting families, empowering others, or building programs. I strive for excellence, not perfection, but intentional effort that reflects care and commitment. Above all, my faith grounds me and guides my decisions, keeping me centered on purpose and impact.