Juanakee Adams

Dr. Juanakee Adams was born in Detroit, Michigan on September 25. She received an Advanced College Preparatory Diploma from John Carroll High School in Birmingham, Alabama and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the youngest person to be granted early admission to Indiana University School of Optometry in Bloomington, Indiana. After earning her Doctorate of Optometry, she returned to Alabama in 1981 and opened Adams Eye Care, becoming the first African American female optometrist to practice in the state.

Adams’s passion for optometry is obvious. She believes that next to life itself, one of God’s most precious gifts is the gift of sight. Although she was faithful in doing her part to give back to the community that had given her so much, she felt in her heart that she was chosen and called to do much more. This burning desire created a vision to form a consortium of health care services for less fortunate Alabamians. In 2010, she founded The Juanakee Adams Initiative for Excellent Eye Care and Optimum Health, fulfilling her dream to create a total health and wellness program. Total health is created and achieved by a collaborative effort of all health care specialties (optometry, ophthalmology, medical, dental, pharmacists) and principalities (pharmaceutical representatives, nurses, opticians, church leaders, and congregants).

Adams built her practice, Adams Eye Care, with no advertising budget, relying on speaking engagements, a column in the local newspaper, and networking. Her accomplishments and hard work ethics have allowed her to serve in various capacities across the nation. She now helps young optometrists launch their careers by serving as a mentor to guide them through the aspects of marketing and managing the business of a private practice.

In 2003, she began making monthly mission trips with the Spirit of Luke Foundation to serve impoverished counties in Alabama’s Black Belt region, providing medical and vision care, food, and clothing to residents. She has also traveled to Venezuela and Ghana on medical missionary trips.

Adams is a licensed and ordained minister and member of More Than Conquerors Faith Church. She is also an inspirational speaker and life coach. She acknowledges that “unto whom much is given, much is required”, therefore, she is always willing to help others, especially the less fortunate.

Adams is a member of various professional, civic, and social organizations such as The National Optometric Association, The American Optometric Association, Alabama Optometric Association, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She currently serves on the board of directors of Kid One, a non-profit organization that transports children and expectant mothers to health care facilities for treatment. She also served three terms on the Fairfield City Council. In addition, she has appeared on the “big screen” as an extra in Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Family Reunion”. Look for her in the picnic scene just before the fight wearing a lime-green shirt.