Lexington activist celebrates milestone after reaching 500,000 students nationwide

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC 36 NEWS NOW) – Lexington community leader and motivational speaker Devine Carama is celebrating a major milestone — reaching 500,000 students through his youth outreach efforts over the past decade.

Carama marked the achievement this week by speaking to students at Lexington Middle School, continuing the mission he began in 2010. Since then, he’s delivered messages of hope, leadership, and perseverance to students in 43 cities across 17 states.

He says his message has evolved with the times, especially as young people face increasing challenges like gun violence and social pressures.
“We’ve seen [gun violence] spike all across the country,” Carama said. “It’s a reality for them when they turn on the news, TikTok, even in their own neighborhoods. That always has to be part of the conversation.”

For students like seventh-grader Norbert Luundo, Carama’s mentorship has been life-changing. Luundo joined Carama’s mentoring group in fifth grade after moving to Lexington from San Diego.
“I didn’t know what to expect until he came along and told me how it would be,” Luundo said. “Based on what he taught me, I want to tell other young boys in my shoes to help them stay on the right track.”

Carama says his goal has always been to build lasting relationships and inspire leadership among youth.
“To me it all works together — the music, the speaking, the mentoring,” Carama said. “All of it is about building relationships, because one day that relationship you have with one of those young people might help save a life.”

He says he has no plans to slow down and hopes to continue reaching even more young people before eventually passing the torch.