Michael Evola is a proven public servant, serving as one of the youngest Council Members and Chair for two state, governor-appointed, councils, advocating to ensure North Carolina has the services and resources needed to eliminate barriers and provide full accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.

Initially appointed by Governor Roy Cooper and then reappointed by Governor Josh Stein, Michael has served as a Council Member on the North Carolina Council for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing since July 2021 and on the North Carolina Statewide Independent Living Council since February 2024.

North Carolina has been Michael's home for most of his life, during which he has lived with a disability. When you have a disability, you quickly experience the ways a community can often leave people behind, and that lived experience is what drives Michael to ensure that no one is ever disregarded.

This is why Michael has dedicated his life to public service. Michael serves because he believes everyone should have access to the same opportunities, that the American dream is obtainable for all, and our community is welcoming and inclusive for everybody. That ideal is what drives and informs everything Michael strives to achieve.

Over the years, Michael has worked for and volunteered with municipal, county, and state government, as well as many nonprofits throughout our community. Each role has strengthened Michael's commitment to service above self and reinforced my belief in listening to, collaborating with, and supporting my neighbors.

Michael's goal is simple, to help create a community where people can prosper, so that we not just survive, but truly thrive, where opportunity lasts for generations to come. In every role Michael takes on, he leads with that purpose and with a deep commitment to serving the people who call our community home.