Jana’s commitment to the community and her unwavering leadership has been recognized within the City of Decatur and beyond. 

Jana has recently been awarded:

• Hometown Hero Award by City of Decatur
• Outstanding Georgia Citizen by the Georgia Secretary of State
• Nikki T. Randall Servant Leader Award by the Women’s Caucus of the Georgia House of Representatives
• Good Citizen Award by DeKalb Volunteer Lawyer’s Foundation
• Education Advocate of the Year by Sankofa U.C.C. Church

During her School Board tenure, Jana has been acknowledged as a leader in education, and she has participated on several panels hosted by a variety of organizations including:

• National Center for Civil and Human Rights
• Georgia State University College of Law
• Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys
• Auburn Avenue Research Library
• National Council of Black Studies
• Georgia State University African American Studies Department

As a scholar-activist, who is pursuing her PhD in Educational Studies, Jana facilitated the Carter G. Woodson Regional Library’s book discussion on Sing a Rhythm, Dance a Blues by Monique W. Morris.

Jana has remained rooted in community work by serving as the chairperson and lead organizer for the Loved Ones, Not Numbers Campaign, an initiative developed to humanize and memorialize the lives of Georgians who died from COVID-19. Under Jana’s leadership, the Loved Ones Not Numbers Campaign:

Commissioned award-winning vocalist and songwriter, Avery Sunshine, to record a tribute song

Established one of Georgia’s first online photo memorials to the victims of COVID-19.

Coordinated the unveiling and candlelight vigil of the Loved Ones, Not Numbers Memorial Wall at the National Center for Civil and Human Rights. The memorial displayed 5,000 broken hearts symbolizing the then number of COVID-19 victims in Georgia.