Amber Evans
The name "Amber" is derived from the name of a jewel; Amber Evans, the Director of Organizing and Policy at the JJC, is just that. At the JJC, Amber Evans is a treasured contributor.
Amber grew up on the north side of Columbus, where she would explore her creativity through poetry, band, orchestra, and drill team. Poetry has always provided with an outlet to effectively and productively cope with her emotions and address any trauma she had been suffering.
Amber carried her creativity and her wisdom to college, where she would begin her activist efforts. After one year at the University of Akron, Amber transferred to Ohio State University in order to support her family that had been affected by the Great Recession and incarceration. Inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement, Amber and her peers channeled their energy into their organizing work on campus. They focused on issues such as student debt, the privatization of parking, and other exploitative practices that occurred on campus.
Amber's passion for combating injustices in her community did not stop there. In 2012, the tragic death of Trayvon Martin called an increase of attention to the societal injustices that occur within communities of color and in low-income communities. However, while Black Lives Matter was gaining more attention, Amber was teaching English in France. In 2015, Amber moved back to Ohio and the People's Justice Project was founded due to a desire to help those in the system who are hurting.
The most difficult part of Amber's job is constantly seeing the system and its flaws for what it is. In constantly working so closely with youth that have fallen victim to a system of oppression that works against people of color, it can be difficult to maintain a positive outlook. However, Amber continues the fight with every ounce of passion and drive in her being.
Seeing young people thrive adds to Amber's drive; her favorite aspect of her work is being able to "see people shine in a way that impacts the most amount of people possible."
Seeing young people thrive adds to Amber's drive; her favorite aspect of her work is being able to "see people shine in a way that impacts the most amount of people possible."
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