Hey y’all! My name is Ali Evans and I have spent nearly three decades falling more and more in love with North Carolina. My parents moved us here in 1993, and I’m grateful every day to have grown up Chapel Hill. I’m a graduate of Appalachian State University, where I met my wonderful husband Brian. As soon as I graduated, I moved right back to Carrboro where I started my career. Brian and I have been married for a little over 7 years and we’re proud pet parents to two dogs, Cooper and Cameron, and two cats, Brooke and Dexter. I love my job at 97.9 The Hill & Chapelboro.com, and I also run a small clay earring business, called “cooper & brooke.”
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I’m so fortunate to have a unique & special family. My husband Brian is the best person I’ve ever met. He sees the best in everyone, and is always there for the people he loves. My parents, Thomas and Dawn Gerakaris, are my heroes. My dad is the classic “put an arm around you” kind of guy who makes everyone feel welcome instantly. My mom is the kindest & most loving person you’ll ever meet. I can’t believe I get to be their kid. I also have two half siblings, Thomas and Rachel, who are the perfect balance to have as a brother & sister. My brother also married a Rachel, who is everything you want in a bonus sibling. They each have their own amazing kids and I love having a front row seat to watching them grow up.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I work for 97.9 The Hill and Chapelboro.com and I absolutely love what I do. My dad used to work in advertising sales for the Yellow Pages, and my mom has an impressive career in radio; I think they both find it hilarious I combined their two jobs. I love working with local businesses to share their messages with our fabulous community. I’ve worked really hard in my career to finally land at a place where I’m valued, respected and supported. Our team here is pretty sensational and we enjoy working together.
Q: What do you love about our community?
Where to start? I love that this place is full of inclusive, kind, philanthropic and open-minded people. The arts are supported here, and local business is the name of the game. When COVID hit, the way this community rallied to be sure the hard-working people who’ve built businesses here was absolutely incredible.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I think Antonia’s in downtown Hillsborough is really fabulous. Their owner, Brian Pearson, really understands what makes a great dining experience and delivers every single time. I also love 411 West on Franklin, Crossroads at The Carolina Inn, Mama Dips, Merritt’s, The Loop, and of course, IP3 for pizza nights!
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I’ve lived here since 1993, and got my first job as a hostess at Squid’s almost 20 years ago!
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
This is a hard one! This community is full of activists, artists, teachers, hardworking parents; so many people I find inspirational. A person I find very interesting is Lotta Sjoelin, founder of “A Lotta Love.” A Lotta Love is a non-profit organization that through home decor, fresh paint, and thoughtful touches, improves the environment in women’s shelters. Lotta noticed the “sterile, prison-like” environment one usually finds in a shelter and realized that when someone has the bravery to leave a situation and face potential homelessness, a warm and welcoming environment that feels safe can be the reason they stay and continue to heal. I think not only is this work incredibly important, but anyone who sees a problem and makes the choice to dig in and face it head-on is really inspiring to me.
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Greece! My dad’s side of the family is Greek and I would love to take a long trip there and enjoy as much as I can about the beautiful culture.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I would love to try stand-up comedy. I like to think I’m pretty funny and making people laugh is my favorite thing, but it also sounds absolutely terrifying to stand up on stage and fail. So, we’ll see.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
I love sitting on the patio at Top of The Hill and watching all of the movement on Franklin Street. We celebrated our wedding reception in The Great Room at TOPO, so I’ve been known to sneak downstairs and visit there too. You can truly pull on my nostalgia heartstrings by mentioning the Rathskeller. I spent many nights as a kid with my parents, and as a young adult with friends at The Rat. Baked Spaghetti forever!
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
Sophia Bush is my favorite actress & activist. She starred in my favorite show growing up, and now that I feel like I’ve “grown up” with her, I’d love to have lunch and tell her why she inspires me. I work really hard to lift up other women, something that Sophia seems to have mastered, and I’d love to learn more from her. I would absolutely take her to Merritt’s for a BLT with avocado.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
People here are kind. When I travel to other places and smile at strangers out of habit, they don’t always smile back. That’s never the case in our community! Kindness is contagious, and it’s so easy to be kind. I love that I was raised by a village that is kind.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
If you had asked me this 5 to 10 years ago, I honestly wouldn’t have guessed anything about my current life except for the “being married to my husband Brian” part. With that said, in 5 to 10 years, I just hope to be happy, healthy and and proud of my choices that lead me to wherever I am.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I don’t know if this is interesting, but if I find a tails-up penny, I flip it over so the next person finds a lucky penny.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
My dog Cooper. He’s about to turn 17 years old and he’s the love of my life. I adopted him from Orange County Animal Services when I was in college and he’s a perfect 10.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
I am so fortunate to have a lot of inspirational people in my life. My husband and my parents are at the top of my list, but I really want to shout out my best friends Melissa and Jordyn. They are both moms to the sweetest kids ever, and I’m really proud of them and extremely honored to be their friend. They are smart, kind, and generous, and I want to be the best version of myself for them & the other people I’m so lucky to love.
Q: If you could give people and leaders in our community three words of wisdom, what would that be?
Never stop listening.