José M. Evans was raised in the Indianapolis Haughville area and is a graduate of Cathedral High School. He earned a B.A. in Political Science and English from the University of Indianapolis and his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana.
Evans currently serves as a Pharmaceutical Sales Specialist with Sepracor, Inc. He is also the Chairman of the Black and Latino Policy Institute based out of Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to Sepracor Inc, Evans served as the Director of Minority and Women Business for the City of Indianapolis and Executive Director of the Indiana Commission on the Social Status of Black Males. Evans has been a featured columnist for the Indianapolis Star and the Indianapolis Recorder.
On November 6, 2007, Evans made history by being elected as the first Democrat to represent District 1, a once solidly Republican area in Pike Township.
Evans is in his first term as City-County Councilor and serves on the Economic Development and Metropolitan Development Committees. The Economic Development Committee addresses concerns that stifle economic growth and helps to promote economic development in all areas of the city. As a member of the Metropolitan Development Committee, Evans will concentrate on neighborhood concerns such as zoning, planning, land use, public housing, township administration, code compliance and enforcement and historic preservation.
Evans worships at Northside New Era and is married to Tara and the father of two sons Malcom and Tayshaun.