Today we’d like to introduce you to Evalye Alexander.
Evalye, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My story is rooted in community, service, and a deep belief in people’s ability to grow when given access, clarity, and support.
I grew up in service. From an early age, I was taught to notice the underdog, stand with the voiceless, and give without needing recognition. My humanitarian spirit comes from my mother, who instilled in me that service is one of the purest ways to do God’s work. That foundation shaped how I see the world and how I choose to show up in it.
I began my career by saying yes to responsibility early and choosing work that allowed me to be close to people in moments of transition. Education became both my foundation and my tool. I earned my undergraduate degree at the illustrious Hampton University, where leadership, service, and excellence were not just encouraged but expected. I later completed my master’s degree at Keller Graduate School of Management, strengthening my ability to lead, build, and think strategically. I am now pursuing the direction of obtaining my doctoral degree as part of my continued commitment to growth, impact, and long-term leadership.
Over time, I built a career centered on helping others navigate complex systems with confidence. That instinct led me to found Community Outreach and Advocacy Corporation, or COAC. What started as grassroots support evolved into a growing nonprofit focused on advocacy, workforce readiness, and stability for individuals and families facing real-life hurdles, such as homelessness, reentry into society after incarceration, domestic violence, and the need for consistent mentorship and support for children and youth. Through COAC, I have worked alongside women, families, and individuals who are often overlooked or underestimated, helping them move through barriers without losing their dignity or voice. My approach is intentional and people-centered. Meet individuals where they are. Teach the process. Walk with them as they build forward.
In parallel, I serve in higher education leadership, where my work focuses on connecting education to opportunity in tangible ways. I design programs, cultivate partnerships, and build pathways that help students translate learning into careers and meaningful impact. I especially enjoy creating environments where people feel empowered to ask honest questions, develop practical skills, and see themselves as capable of more than they imagined.
What fuels me most is growth, in others and in myself. I believe in learning in public, building in community, and allowing joy to exist alongside purpose. My work is rooted in advocacy that is human-centered, practical, and grounded in respect.
At this stage of my journey, my focus is expansion. Expanding access. Expanding confidence. Expanding the idea of who gets to thrive. I am still growing, still learning, and deeply invested in creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and equipped to move forward. Watching that transformation unfold is what continues to inspire me.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has not been a smooth road, but it has been a meaningful one.
Much of my journey has been shaped by navigating responsibility, grief, and pressure simultaneously. I learned early how to be strong for others, often while carrying my own unspoken weight. There were seasons marked by loss, emotional exhaustion, and moments when I had to confront how much I was giving without always leaving space to care for myself. Those experiences challenged my sense of balance and forced me to redefine what sustainability and leadership truly look like.
Building work rooted in service also comes with its own challenges. Advocacy and humanitarian work require persistence in systems that were not designed with everyone in mind. There were times when resources were limited, doors closed, or progress felt slow. Supporting individuals facing housing instability, reentry after incarceration, or domestic violence meant sitting with complex realities that could not be solved quickly. Learning to stay present without becoming overwhelmed was a lesson earned over time.
Another challenge was learning how to grow while remaining grounded. As my work expanded across nonprofit leadership and higher education, I had to learn how to lead with clarity, set boundaries, and trust that impact does not require self-sacrifice at every turn. Growth required me to unlearn the idea that struggle is a prerequisite for purpose.
Faith played a critical role during the hardest moments. It became my anchor and my reminder that seasons of difficulty are not signs of failure, but invitations to deepen wisdom, compassion, and resilience. Each obstacle refined how I lead and strengthened my commitment to people-centered work that honors dignity and humanity.
The road has not been easy, but it has been honest. Every challenge shaped the leader I am today and clarified why this work matters so deeply to me.
As you know, we’re big fans of Community Outreach and Advocacy Corporation (COAC). For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Community Outreach and Advocacy Corporation, known as COAC, is a nonprofit organization based in Metro Atlanta that I founded in 2019. Since our start, COAC has been dedicated to empowering and uplifting underserved individuals and families facing systemic challenges. Through intentional outreach and advocacy work, we have helped more than 10,000 people find support, resources, and opportunities to thrive.
At COAC, we tackle some of the most pressing issues in our community by addressing food, housing, and employment needs while helping people build pathways forward. Our commitment to promoting self-sufficiency and social equity drives everything we do. We believe that every person deserves to live with dignity, security, and hope, regardless of their circumstances.
COAC offers a series of community-centered programs that focus on both immediate relief and long-term empowerment. For example, COAC Feeds is a monthly street outreach initiative where volunteers provide nourishing meals, clean water, hygiene items, and care directly to people experiencing homelessness. COAC Cares brings together businesses and community partners to provide comprehensive support, including food distribution, wellness resources, and holistic care services. The Good Resume Project is our professional development effort where we help people refine resumes, practice interviews, and learn job search strategies so they can enter or reenter the workforce with confidence and clarity.
What sets COAC apart from others is our relational approach to humanitarian service. We do more than meet immediate needs. We walk alongside people in ways that acknowledge their full humanity, empower their voice, and build their agency. We engage face to face, create community-driven events, and foster spaces where people feel valued and supported rather than judged or overlooked. This approach is rooted in both compassion and respect, and it reflects my own belief that service is an expression of shared humanity.
Brand-wise, I am most proud that COAC is known as a trusted and consistent resource in Metro Atlanta where hope and practical help meet. Our community sees us not just as an organization, but as a partner on the journey toward stability and self-empowerment. That reputation didn’t happen by accident. It grew from consistency, sincerity, and a deep conviction that every life has worth and potential.
What I want readers to know is that COAC exists because people matter. We believe that when people are equipped with the tools and support they need, they don’t just survive; they begin to thrive.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is that meaningful impact does not require losing myself.
For a long time, I believed that serving others meant carrying everything, fixing everything, and pushing through without pause. Over time, I learned that helping others should not come at the cost of my own well-being. Sustainable service requires boundaries, honesty, and care for self alongside care for community.
Another lesson has been learning to trust process over perfection. Working in advocacy and humanitarian spaces means accepting that progress is often slow, nonlinear, and deeply human. I have learned that showing up consistently, listening deeply, and staying present matters more than having all the answers.
I have also learned the power of meeting people where they are without judgment. When people feel seen, respected, and understood, they begin to reclaim their confidence and agency. That lesson has shaped how I lead, how I build programs, and how I engage with communities. Dignity changes outcomes.
Finally, I have learned that growth is not something you arrive at. It is something you choose daily. Choosing to evolve, to unlearn, and to remain open has been just as important as any title, credential, or milestone along the way.
These lessons continue to guide me as I build with intention, compassion, and faith.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.coacservices.com
- Instagram: evalye.alexander
