A meaningful cross-bridge collaboration, REVIVE Radio welcomed Kyana T. Evans, a South Jersey elected official, community leader, and children’s author, for a passionate conversation centered on youth empowerment, civic engagement, and representation.
Evans, a councilwoman in Paulsboro, Gloucester County, shared her unconventional journey into public office not as a career politician, but as a community advocate, school board member, and local organizer whose voice was already rooted in service. Her leadership path was shaped by direct community involvement and by mobilizing young people to understand their role in democracy through door-knocking, civic education, and local engagement.
At the heart of the conversation was her newly released children’s book, Lay’s Big Question, a story created to empower young people to use their voices, ask questions, and feel confident participating in community life. Inspired by real life experiences working with youth, Evans designed the book as both a literacy tool and a civic education resource, helping children understand leadership, community roles, and their own power to shape the world around them.
Representation plays a central role in the book’s imagery and storytelling, reflecting children of color and diverse communities, ensuring young readers can see themselves in leadership narratives. Evans emphasized that the book is more than a story. It’s a conversation starter for families, classrooms, and community spaces, bridging generations through dialogue about responsibility, kindness, voting, service, and belonging.
From classrooms to council chambers, Kyana T. Evans is building pathways for the next generation to feel seen, heard, and valued. Her work stands as a powerful example of how local leadership, education, and storytelling can create lasting impact, not only in South Jersey but in communities everywhere.