Dwight Evans is one of the most well respected legislators serving in the Pennsylvania General Assembly today. During the course of his public career, Evans has earned a reputation as a policymaker who knows how to transform ideas into action. His ethical standards, willingness to listen and pragmatic approach to government have earned him accolades from the grass roots to the White House.

Evans began his career in the House in 1980 when at the age of 26, he was elected to represent the people of the 203rd legislative district in Northwest Philadelphia. He was elected Democratic Chairman of the Appropriations Committee, a position he held from 1990 to 2010.

In addition to youth and energy, he brought experience as a teacher, job developer, employment counselor and community leader to the state Capitol. In the early years of his career, Evans focused his energy on driving state resources to his legislative district in an effort to transform the community's blighted neighborhoods. Thirty years later, Ogontz Avenue, West Oak Lane and the surrounding area is comprised of vibrant communities where education, commerce and culture thrive. Journalists have referred to the area as "Dwight Land."

On policy matters, Evans has earned a national reputation for his work to deliver quality food to underserved communities; for his commitment to education; and for his efforts to stop handgun violence, all of which are parts of his broader strategy to spur economic development, not just in his district or in Philadelphia but across Pennsylvania.

He is the catalyst behind the Pennsylvania's Fresh Food Financing Initiative, twice cited by Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government as one of the top public policy initiatives in the country. Through the program, public and private money is used to expand or build grocery stores in urban and rural communities. More than 85 small, mid-size, and full-scale stores have been develoed in Pennsylvania through the program. Evans has been invited to speak about the initiative at various conferences around the country and several states are now working to duplicate the program.

Evans also is widely recognized as a champion for education, whether for pre-school programs or post-graduate work. In public and at the budget table, he is fiercely passionate about funding for education. At the same time, Evans believes schools should meet stringent standards. As such, he supports choice for parents at the elementary and secondary levels and he authored the state's Charter School law in 1997.

Evans was invited by the White House to participate in a roundtable discussion with former President George Bush about education. He has spoken about education policy before the Brookings Institution and the National Press Club, among others. His education efforts today include supporting programs to recruit and retain teachers. He is on the National and Philadelphia Chapter Board of Directors of the Black Alliance for Educational Options.

Neither schools nor businesses can thrive in communities that aren't safe and secure. As such, Dwight Evans is a staunch supporter of efforts to reduce handgun violence. He is considered to be the legislature's leading voice on the issue and joined national panels at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice and at Duquesne University to raise awareness about the impact of gun-related crime on communities.

Evans is a native of Philadelphia and a 1971 graduate of Germantown High School. He graduated from the Community College of Philadelphia and LaSalle University. He received an honorary doctorate from Lincoln University. He is on the boards of the Fox Chase Cancer Center, the Pennsylvania Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Concerned Black Men.

When not immersed in policy, Evans is an avid reader, a patron of the arts and sports fanatic.