Evelyn was born in Hazlehurst, Mississippi, but has called Atlanta, Georgia, her home for the last 28 years. In 1976, She went to work for WXIA-TV, the NBC affiliate in Atlanta. She worked her way up through the ranks, and now serves as Film Director & Program Coordinator at WXIA.

In 1995, she became the first African-American woman in the United States to serve as president of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Southeast regional chapter. She helped to implement Scholarship programs, the Emmy awards and to create a Silver Circle ceremony honoring broadcasting's regional elite figures.

She is currently serving as secretary of Project Open Hand, a non-profit group that provides freshly cooked meals and nutrition services to people living with symptomatic HIV/AIDS, homebound seniors and individuals with other critical illnesses or disabilities.