Many may be surprised to learn that Wayne Devonish has a passion for motorcycles, having ridden sports bikes for over 35 years.
A resident of Bedford-Stuyvesant in Brooklyn, Devonish, cherishes the neighborhood’s iconic brownstones and the tight-knit community where neighbors look out for one another.
His father is the biggest influence on his career path, and he is the reason why Devonish does what he does for the community. “While growing up, I always noticed my father being super helpful and giving to people. He would give the clothes off his back to someone in need. He was just super nice in general, and his generosity stayed with me,” Devonish said.
Both of Devonish’s parents are from Guyana. He was born in New York, but he did visit the beautiful country in the past and he loves it as well. “People were always very giving and kind when I visited Guyana,” he said. While living in Brooklyn for most of his life, Devonish realized that many community groups were filled with active women and very few men. This led him to start his nonprofit organization, 500 Men Making a Difference, which “acknowledges the work that must be done to improve the lives of many of our brothers and their families by creating a rich culture in Brooklyn that offers fertile ground for the city’s children to prosper, and developing a long-lasting legacy and a future without limits,” according to its website.
“I started 500 Men Making a Difference so that there could be a collective group of men that would be available to be active in the community on a regular basis. I want to have men be seen and be present helping to make things better,” he said.
Devonish’s acts of kindness include leading group mentoring sessions with a group of men, mentoring 15 to 25 young males ages 10 to 17, and volunteering to help clean up local parks.
The nonprofit recently hosted a three-day retreat, where Devonish, other members of the leadership team, and these men renovated the backyard of veteran Major Sharon Sweeting Lindsey’s house in Queens. The men also learned valuable public speaking skills during this retreat.
Additionally, Devonish stated that he and the team are regularly in public schools where they do career talks, as well as financial literacy and civic lessons.
“The young men appreciate our involvement and are eager to learn and advance themselves. Many of them lack father figures so we act like a team of uncles that are out to help them succeed,” Devonish explained when speaking about the impact of the work he does through the organization.
Devonish added that he and all the men involved in the organization “are seen as positive role models that the community can count on for group male involvement.”
As a child, he loved going on adventures in Brooklyn on his bicycle and exploring. Now, as an adult, he explores around the world and looks to have an impact. The goals and vision of the organization keep Devonish and everyone involved busy.
“Just last summer we went to Ghana and built houses and are currently setting up an international conference in 2027 in Ghana. Also, we are renovating an orphanage in Ghana that houses 87 children,” Devonish continued.
The legacy Devonish wants to have includes establishing a free trade school that all can attend.
“This school will teach plumbing, electrical, sheetrock, and carpentry. We want this school to be established and represent our legacy of being active citizens. We want folks to work collectively to make a better community and a better world,” he said.
