Meet our #IMPACTFUL Team

Introducing a remarkable team of dedicated individuals who embody a profound commitment to the community of Watts and its neighboring areas. Fueled by an unwavering passion for community health, this team's mission is to leave a lasting impact on the lives of every family they touch. Their central focus lies in dismantling the entrenched systemic barriers that adversely affect parents and guardians facing disabilities or health disadvantages.

Jackie Evans

Co-Founder & President

A mother of five and a proud member of her community, Jackie continues to be active in Watts. In her spare time, she loves to cook and discover new recipes to make for her family. She has also transformed her life by diving into wellness to combat the health issues that disproportionately affect Black women. Over the last 10 years, she is proud to have been able to turn her plans for the organization into action! Voices of Impact has provided so many "Special Days" to service recipients as well as delivered fresh produce to various families in need! It all started with her life story, and now 30 years later, she was able to turn her story into one of philanthropy and #impact.

Shekalia Johnson

Co-Founder & CEO

Shekalia Johnson is the co-founder of Voices of Impact and Executive Director. She is responsible for overseeing program operations, establishing partnerships with key stakeholders, and ensuring that the needs and concerns of the families they serve are recognized, addressed, and corrected. Prior to forming Voices of Impact, she worked in a variety of industries but what truly made her heart sing was working and volunteering extensively with local non-profits serving underrepresented groups.

Miyana Evans

Director of Programs

Miyana Evans is the Director of Programs at Voices of Impact. She is responsible for overseeing the programs, spending most of her time implementing and setting goals according to the strategic objectives of the organization. She is a UCLA graduate and spent most of her undergraduate year working with at risk high school students throughout LAUSD. Her passion for inspiring and empowering youth to overcome obstacles and chase their dreams led her to Voices of Impact.

Jackie's Story

Jackie Evans, a resilient mother of five and an integral part of her community, draws her strength from a journey marked by challenges and transformative experiences. The genesis of Voices of Impact can be traced back to a pivotal moment in Jackie's life when her father, her pillar of support, suffered a life-altering stroke, rendering him permanently disabled. At the tender age of 12, Jackie found herself transitioning from "daddy's little girl" to becoming her father's primary caregiver.

Through four core programs and services—Your Special Day, Bridge 2 Hope, Voices of Impact Teen Leadership Academy, and Impactful Produce Deliveries —She and the Voices of Impact team have positively impacted the lives of a multitude of families in the Watts and South Los Angeles are who share the common experience of having a guardian with a disability by turning her pain into purpose.

Meet our #IMPACTFUL Team

Jackie's Story

Jackie and her father, Willie pictured in 1980