Carolyn Adams was born in St. Louis, Missouri on December 8, 1955. She was the middle child of five children.

She attended the St. Louis Public Schools System at Stevens Elementary and was a proud member of the Charles Sumner High School class of 1974. She continued her desire for academic enrichment after moving to Los Angeles and received a Bachelor of Science degree at Cal State University, Dominguez Hills.

She attended West Side Baptist Church and St. Ann Catholic Church in St. Louis before relocating to Los Angeles. After a brief search, she selected and became a devoted, active member of the Park Windsor Baptist Church, where she remained for over 25 years and was fondly called by her church family, one of the "St. Louis Gang." Carolyn was one of the founding members of the Pastor's Appreciation Committee; the Church Homecoming chairperson; former member of the Charles Harvey Fisher Scholarship committee; Vacation Bible School teacher and she was also instrumental in the development of the Singles Ministry at The Park.

She was a dedicated and well-respected Paralegal for the Los Angeles Air Force Base for more than 20 years.

Her commitment to community and education was shown by her active involvement as a member of Blacks In Government, National Council of Negro Women, as a volunteer for the local chapter of the American Liver Foundation, United Negro College Fund and the Magic Johnson Foundation. Carolyn also worked with various organizations in the community to promote literacy for children and adults. Her passion for music, especially jazz was evident in her devotion to the musicians in the Los Angeles community including Leimert Park, Howling Monk and the Jazz Bakery.

Carolyn's enthusiastic support of the Los Angeles/Long Beach Area Chapter of BIG was evidenced in her many leadership roles as: Chairperson of Fundraising/Ways and Means Committee; willing participant in the AARP C.A.R.E.S. Program which provides short-term relief to caregivers and companionship to their loved ones; committee member of LA/LB Area Chapter Scholarship Program; and a BIG Life Member/Gold Plus Member.