EVIE PONDER, Founder & Executive Director of
FOLLOW YO ART, Inc.

Follow Yo Art is committed to being a consistent, dependable presence in every community it serves. Reliability means showing up-on time, fully prepared, and with excellence-whether delivering creator programming, coordinating multi-jurisdiction events, or supporting families through healing-centered arts experiences. It reflects the organization's promise that partners, parents, and creators can count on Follow Yo Art to follow through, maintain high standards, and remain steadfast even in challenging circumstances. This value reinforces our reputation as a trusted municipal collaborator and a stable support system for creators.

Trust is built through transparency, accountability, and integrity in all operations. Follow Yo Art prioritizes honest communication, ethical stewardship of resources, and respectful relationships with creators, families, artists, and community partners. Trust means creating environments where all people feel safe expressing themselves, where parents feel confident in the organization's care, and where funders and municipalities know their investments are handled responsibly. This value anchors Follow Yo Art's role as a credible, community-centered institution committed to long-term impact.

Care is the heart of Follow Yo Art's mission. It means approaching every program, partnership, and interaction with empathy, compassion, and cultural sensitivity. Care shows up in trauma-informed practices, youth-centered design, family engagement, and the organization's commitment to uplifting creators who have faced adversity-including justice-impacted youth and those navigating difficult life transitions. This value reflects Follow Yo Art's belief that art is a pathway to healing, empowerment, and community transformation.