Today we’d like to introduce you to C. Jana’ Carter.
Hi C. Jana’, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
From a young age, I always knew I wanted to help people in my community. I used to say that my purpose in life was to be a humanitarian. As I grew older, that calling became clearer I was meant to lead. Throughout my school and professional years, I naturally stepped into leadership roles whenever the opportunity arose: serving as captain of cheerleading and dance teams, leading JROTC drill teams to championship wins, and being recognized as Officer of the Year, among other honors.
What I didn’t yet understand was how deeply my personal experiences would shape the leader I was becoming. Along the way, I endured multiple traumatic events that I didn’t realize would later impact me as an adult. Those experiences softened my heart in a profound way and deepened my empathy for people who are often mistreated, bullied, marginalized, or overlooked.
Becoming a mother at a very young age—and later giving birth to a child with special needs changed my life entirely. I was introduced to a complex and often overwhelming system that required constant advocacy to ensure my child was treated with dignity and equality. Through that journey, my twin sister and I, both mothers to children with special needs, felt called to support others walking a similar path. In 2017, we founded a nonprofit parent support group dedicated to uplifting parents, educators, and students navigating the realities of raising children with diverse special needs.
Our work eventually led us to partner with Mental Health Services of North Carolina, where we collaborated on community-based programs designed to be therapeutic, inclusive, and effective in reducing bullying among the populations we served. In 2018, I expanded my advocacy by opening my first group home, Carter’s Perfect Care Services, where we provided day support and residential services for individuals with special needs.
During the pandemic in 2020, our organization identified an even greater need programming specifically designed to empower women with special needs. This led to the launch of Pink Diamonds, a nine-month mentorship program focused on helping women discover their natural gifts, strengths, passions, and purpose. After graduating two successful cohorts, I felt an undeniable pull to deepen my impact within the mental health field.
In 2022, I obtained my state certification as a Certified Peer Support Specialist. That moment marked the intersection of my personal story and my professional calling. Over the past three years, I have had the honor of supporting more than 40 individuals on their recovery journeys from mental illness and substance use. That work sparked a deeper curiosity and commitment to understanding how trauma shapes behavior, mental health, and life outcomes.
In 2024, I began studying Trauma-Informed Care for youth, focusing on how reframing thoughts can transform young minds and disrupt cycles of pain before they take root. This passion led me into motivational speaking, where I could share both lived experience and practical tools for healing.
In 2025, C. Jana Carter Enterprises was born. Today, the organization serves communities and surrounding areas through motivational speaking, workshops, and professional resources for youth and adults alike. My mission is simple but powerful: to help others reframe their experiences, reclaim their worth, and believe in the possibility of a brighter future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it has not been a smooth road at all. The journey has been filled with moments of uncertainty, emotional pain, and hard lessons that required resilience and faith. I navigated leadership while still healing from my own unresolved trauma, often showing up for others while quietly learning how to show up for myself. Balancing motherhood at a young age, advocating for a child with special needs, and managing the weight of responsibility that comes with leadership was overwhelming at times.
There were also systemic barriers limited resources, complex mental health and disability systems, and moments when my voice felt unheard. Building programs from the ground up required sacrifices, financial risk, and long periods of self-doubt. During the pandemic, the emotional toll intensified as community needs grew while support and funding became more uncertain.
Perhaps the greatest struggle was learning that purpose does not eliminate pain. I had to confront burnout, grief, and the reality that passion alone is not enough you must also have boundaries, support, and the willingness to evolve. Every challenge, however, became a teacher. The struggles deepened my compassion, sharpened my leadership, and reminded me that transformation is rarely comfortable, but it is always worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My work sits at the intersection of lived experience, leadership, and healing. I am a Certified Behavioral Peer Support Specialist, motivational speaker, and community advocate who specializes in trauma-informed care, mental health recovery, youth empowerment, and reframing negative life experiences into purpose-driven growth. Through my work, I support individuals and families impacted by mental illness, substance use, trauma, and disability by helping them develop emotional regulation skills, self-advocacy, and resilience.
I am known for building programs and spaces that are not only educational but deeply human. Whether I am working with youth, parents, professionals, or individuals in recovery, my approach is rooted in empathy, honesty, and practical tools that people can use in their everyday lives. I specialize in teaching the power of reframing—how shifting perspective can interrupt cycles of pain, shame, and self-doubt and open the door to healing and possibility.
What I am most proud of is the impact, not the titles. I’ve helped launch community programs, opened a group home serving individuals with special needs, created a nine-month mentorship program empowering women with disabilities, and supported more than 40 individuals on their recovery journeys. I am proud of the parents who felt seen, the youth who learned they were more than their circumstances, and the individuals in recovery who rediscovered hope.
What sets me apart is that I don’t teach from theory alone I teach from experience. I’ve lived the systems I now help others navigate. I understand trauma not just academically, but personally. That lived experience allows me to connect authentically, lead with compassion, and create trust quickly. I don’t believe in “fixing” people; I believe in reminding them of their strength and equipping them with tools to move forward.
At the core of everything I do is a simple mission: to help people reframe their stories, reclaim their worth, and believe in a brighter future no matter where they are starting from.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
What I love most about our city is the heart of the people. There is a strong sense of community here people genuinely care, show up for one another, and want to see their neighbors succeed. Our city has resilience, diversity, and untapped potential. I especially appreciate the grassroots organizations, educators, faith leaders, and community advocates who work tirelessly behind the scenes to support families, youth, and individuals who may otherwise be overlooked.
What I like least is not the city itself, but the gaps that still exist. Access to mental health resources, affordable housing, and economic opportunities can feel limited for those who need them most. There are moments when systems move slowly, and people fall through the cracks particularly individuals facing trauma, disability, or substance use challenges. I believe our city has the capacity to do more, and with stronger collaboration, transparency, and investment in prevention and early intervention, we can bridge those gaps.
Ultimately, I see our city as a place with incredible promise. The challenges don’t discourage me they motivate me. They remind me why this work matters and why continuing to invest in people, compassion, and long-term solutions is essential for our collective future.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cjanacarter.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sheiscjana
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jana-carter-543815332
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Jana-Carter
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@sheisc.jana
