Team Member Spotlight: Antonia Adams

Meet Antonia Adams, our incredible Outreach & Engagement Coordinator. Enjoying historical literature rich with identity and heart, Antonia’s three favorite books are Zeal by Morgan Jerkins, There Is Confusion by Jessie Redmon Fauset, and The Big Sea by Langston Hughes.

As her work aligns with a few of the themes held within her top recommendations, Antonia’s favorite author is Sadeqa Johnson. An international bestselling and award-winning author of five novels, Johnson’s body of work features an exploration of difficult boundaries and the pursuit of crossing them, showcasing the journey along the way and resulting outcomes. Johnson’s work and her overarching themes being Antonia’s favorite literacy topics reflect her passion for advancing literacy and combating community inequalities.

Mary Oliver’s poem The Summer Day reminds readers to live with intention and that productivity does not necessarily mean working hard but rather appreciating the simplicity and inversely the complexity of such. Antonia’s favorite quote comes from Oliver’s poem, asking "Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?" For Antonia, the poem translates into daily action; seeking moments of quiet amid chaos, choosing meaningful connections and embracing both challenge and joy. Antonia says that the question “reminds [her] to make the most of each day by being present and appreciative of the people [she] share[s] [her] days with.”

When given the opportunity to describe the foundation in one word, Antonia’s response does not fall short from the goal-oriented and compassionate personality seen with her literary taste, “Inspiring.” Antonia’s reasoning behind this choice is that the staff and the work the foundation does for Houstonians and beyond “astounds her every day.” She shared that often simple conversations with the team will lead to new ideas and empowering events all “for the benefit of others,” describing it as priceless.

Antonia says that “The most rewarding part of being a team member of the foundation is knowing that we each have a unique opportunity to contribute to children in Houston becoming lifelong readers.” She shared that as a child she was an avid reader and with that in addition to her time spent as a teacher she knows that “all it takes is one book to plant the seed for a lifelong reader.” She is extremely grateful that the foundation offers that possibility to children and feels rewarded for being a part of an organization giving back in this way.

Antonia has been with the team for just six months and is already making a remarkable impact on the community. In her role, she has fully immersed herself in the foundation’s mission, actively participating in and helping to coordinate a variety of community volunteer programs.

One experience stands out as a highlight of her time thus far: the opportunity to collaborate closely with the team at Julia C. Hester House to support the expansion of their Multicultural Literacy Center. Thanks to her keen attention to detail and thoughtful approach, she curated a diverse and engaging selection of children’s books—ensuring that young readers can see themselves and their interests reflected in the stories available to them.

Our sincere thanks to Antonia, for her drive and passion for advancing literacy within the community through the work of the foundation. We are truly grateful to have a staff filled with wonderful members like her.

Meet the rest of our team at BarbaraBushHouston.org/team