People often called Carlena Evans “Little Lyno”. Her father, Mike Evans, played Lionel Jefferson on “The Jeffersons” and “All in the Family,” and was also co-creator of the show “Good Times.”
“I look so much like him,” Carlena explains, “I heard ‘Little Lyno’ so often!”
The younger Evans grew up believing the Jeffersons were her family, even often wondering why they weren’t coming to her house. Creative talent, energy, and a love for entertainment run through the Evans’ family DNA. This family link to creative pursuits spurred Evans to create Kidsplosion, a program that encourages children to discover and pursue their passions.
A Place to Discover, Develop, and Display
Evans has always worked hard, innovated, and followed through on dreams, no matter how lofty they may be. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Cheyney University with a Bachelor’s in Communication and a minor in English, received her Master’s in Education in 2010, and did it all while raising her son independently. This independent spirit runs through her DNA, as well.
“My father lived a very isolated life in the desert in California,” Evans remembers. “He built his own home by hand, drilled his own water supply, and wired his own electricity.”
Evans took a similar approach to building the Kidsplosion concept with a bit of help from a higher power.
“The Kidsplosion concept is genius, so much so that there is no way my own brain could think of it,” says Evans. “One morning in 2008, at about 4 AM, God showed me Kidsplosion. I was in awe. I still am. I’m grateful I was chosen, and I’m grateful I had the guts and strength actually to do what I saw.”
Kidsplosion helps kids develop their identified talents and gifts, and allows them to share and display those gifts through events, summer camps, and afterschool programs. Through partnerships with various industry professionals, Kidsplosion also provides mentorships and inspiration for children, encouraging them to go after their career goals.
Kidsplosion recreation centers offer courses on everything from acting, to dance, to construction trades. The program also provides curriculums and courses to K-12 schools, both public and private. Through Kidsplosion Entertainment, kids who develop their talents have an opportunity to showcase those abilities through movies, music recording, or television programming — something that is a bit of a full-circle moment for Evans and her family.
All Children Have Natural Abilities
The central theme of the Kidsplosion vision is that all children have natural abilities — not just children from families with the means for private lessons or schooling. Evans is even taking the mission global.
In 2016, Evans brought Kidsplosion to Ghana. “In these areas, children have no idea how valuable and talented they are, as all energy is often placed on survival,” Evans explains. “In order for us to serve more of these areas, we need more support and more programs in privileged areas.”
To Evans, the beauty of Kidsplosion is that every single child on the planet is included, regardless of their ability to pay.
A Modern Day Robin Hood
Kidsplosion has expanded throughout the US and into privileged areas such as Dubai.
“Kidsplosion is a global concept because every child is born with natural abilities,” says Evans. “Talent and abilities are given to us for free. Therefore, it should not be money in the way of discovering and developing these abilities.” As Evans explains, proceeds from Kidsplosion paid programs go towards serving children in underprivileged areas.
“Kidsplosion is a modern-day ‘Robin Hood,'” adds Evans. “I offer programs in privileged areas and then offer the same programs in areas where parents cannot afford it.”
Through Kidsplosion, Evans hopes she is, in a way, being a good steward of her father’s legacy. While he entertained millions through his creation, “Good Times,” and his work on “The Jeffersons” and “All in the Family,” Evans hopes to stoke creativity in millions so they may carry the torch of creativity and entertainment forward.
Despite her wealth of successes, Evans always brings it back to God. “Kidsplosion is God’s vision, and I am honored to be a part of it.”
