Yevola Peters, Carroll H. Hynson Jr. Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy

The Carroll H. Hynson, Jr. Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Philanthropy is named in honor of Carroll H. Hynson, Jr., founding CFAAC Board Member and longest-running host of the Celebration of Philanthropy Awards Luncheon. It is presented to an individual who has made outstanding contributions to philanthropy by building bridges, connecting people dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and championing the acceptance, respect, and inclusion of all.

“For those of us who have worked with her closely and gained personal access to that ‘Yevola magic', we can attest to her strength of character, her ability to command and yet her enduring kindness and wisdom, generously bestowed.”
—Pamela Brown, PhD., Executive Director of AAC Partnership for Children, Youth and Families.

There is a street in Annapolis named Yevola S. Peters Way. And, just like that street, Yevola S. Peters is a pathway – a route to a better future for many.

Known throughout Anne Arundel County (AAC) as Ms. Yevola, she has been working and volunteering to help vulnerable children and families ever since she moved to Annapolis in 1963. At the Community Action Agency where she began working in 1966, and later became the Executive Director, Yevola helped countless children and families navigate toward lives of achievement, despite the institutionalized obstacles and barriers of the day, said Anne Arundel County Executive, Steuart Pittman. In that leadership role, she strived to reduce poverty and close achievement gaps that disadvantage low-income and minority students. She retired three times from the agency and was eventually inducted into the Community Action Agency's Hall of Fame in 2012. “More than 50 years ago, she was a trailblazer at the Human Relations Commission, before the county had codified the commission,” said Pittman.

Yevola was Chair of the Board for the AAC Partnership for Children, Youth and Families from 2008-2016. During that time she stewarded the agency through a recession, staff cuts, and the growing needs for children and families across the county. When she left, in 2016, the agency had multiplied its budget and staff, and increased services to 8,000 residents each year. 

Now, as a spry woman in her 80s, Yevola has not slowed down. She most recently accepted a position of administrator for a small nonprofit mentoring group in Annapolis. A member of St. Phillips Episcopal Church in Annapolis for more than 60 years, she still runs their Family Life Center as well as working with the Newtowne Community Development Corporation, Learning Leap, Anne Arundel Connecting Together, Black Wall Street, and continues to mentor young people and working professionals in the county.

“Ms. Yevola has been the first in so many spaces and venues, places women have not led before, places people of color have not led before, and spaces where young people were not experienced enough to lead. She has and continues to break barriers and mentor others to do the same,” said Georgia Noone-Sherrod, Executive Director Anne Arundel Conflict Resolution Center. “She is a builder of bridges, a master of creating space for understanding and equitable solutions to issues most of us take for granted.”

For her many years of service as a leader, educator, advocate, and organizer in the county, Yevola was the Anne Arundel honoree for the 2014 William Donald Schaefer Helping People Award, which honors individuals and corporations in each county for their work to help community members. 

“For those of us who have worked with her closely and gained personal access to that ‘Yevola magic', we can attest to her strength of character, her ability to command and yet her enduring kindness and wisdom, generously bestowed,” said nominator Pamela Brown, PhD., Executive Director of AAC Partnership for Children, Youth and Families. “We are so lucky to have her in our midst.” 

Watch the full video below.