June 2 , Devine Carama, Director, Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Anti- Youth Violence Program
The Rotary Club of Lexington held its weekly meeting Thursday, June 2, at The Mane on Main and on Zoom. The program featured Devine Carama, Director, Lexington Fayette Urban County government Anti- Youth Violence Program
To attend via Zoom please email, [email protected].
Devine Carama is a nationally renowned hip-hop artist, educator, community activist, & motivational youth speaker from Lexington, KY. He is the new director of the mayor’s anti-youth violence program, ONE Lexington where he has launched a number of youth programs geared towards reducing community violence. He is also the founder of a Kentucky-based nonprofit organization for youth called Believing In Forever Inc.
In December 2018, Devine performed outside in the cold for 48 hours straight to raise awareness for his annual youth coat drive, “A Coat to Keep The Cold Away”. Over the last 8 years, Believing in Forever has facilitated the collection and delivery of over 15,000 coats to children in Central and Eastern Kentucky.
Other Believing in Forever initiatives include:, Sons Of Single Mothers Mentoring Days, Senior Summer Jam, “A Coat to Keep The Cold Away” Youth Coat Drive, Community On The Corners, Poetry In Motion Youth, & more! In 2020, he started “The Luna Library” in memory of his late daughter, Kamaria Spaulding, which provides FREE black history/character focused books for children within the Lexington area. He is also featured at the University of Kentucky where he teaches a course called “Lyricism & Leadership: Hip Hop & Community Change”.
Musically, Devine has worked with and/or opened up for acts such as Rakim, Big KRIT, J. Cole, Talib Kweli, Nappy Roots, LL Cool J, Black Eyed Peas, Canibus, De La Soul, Little Brother, & many more. His music has been covered in major music publications like The Source, Vibe, & Complex Magazine. In 2010, Devine became the first rap artist to ever perform at the historical Lyric Theatre. Most recently, Devine was the first 2-time winner of NBA All-Star, Dame Lillard’s “Live Cypher” Rap Contest. Devine is also a 4-time “Lexington Hip Hop Artist of The Year” award winner. Through his most recent endeavor, ‘Kingtucky LLC’ he hosts local artistic events such as Brown Sugar, Neo Soul Nights & Poetry in Motion.
Recent awards and recognitions include the 2017 Lauren K. Weinberg Humanitarian Award, the 2017 Coretta Scott “Spirit of Ivy” Award for community service, the 2018 Black Achievers “Special Achiever of the Year Award, and George W.H. Bush’s “Point Of Light” Volunteer Award, 2020 LEXI Music “Community Service” Award, as well as the 2022 Lexington Forum’s “One To Watch” Award.
