ABOUT US
Our History
The Call to Action
In 2010 Wayne Devonish put out a call to men living in central Brooklyn to assist him with a renovation project that would increase the amount of public space in the central Brooklyn community. A well-known community activist and entrepreneur in central Brooklyn Wayne made it a point to reach out to men living in Brooklyn in emails and fliers specifically requesting that we come together to collaborate on that renovation project. Wayne believed then as he does now that despite what we read in the newspaper and see on television the legacy of being a man and particularly a man of color, was more than being under educated, underemployed, incarcerated and socially marginalized.
The Move to Organize
This message was received by many of us as an opportunity to work with other men like ourselves who didn’t just want to volunteer on one or two projects, but who wanted to make our presence felt consistently where we lived. We wanted to be seen as the solution and not the problem. As we volunteered together on projects like mentoring at Boys and Girls High School, cleaning local parks such Herbert Von King in Bed-Stuy, renovating apartments for those in need of homes, creating holiday events to provide food for those in transitional housing the group developed a common purpose. We talked more about how many men were doing good things and how little we heard about that. We talked about how statistics published about men of color could only provoke despair in our young men. These conversations and friendships led to the creation of the 501c3 non-profit 500 Men Making a Difference Inc.
The Common Purpose
The more we worked together the more our group became a refuge for men who lived in communities dealing with overwhelmingly negative images of who we are. Men that saw all the good that was being done and believed in all the good that we could do began to seek us out. Civic responsibility is about group participation and understanding how we relate to those around us. 500 Men Making a Difference will fulfill it’s mission by focusing on skills that support the social mobility of our brothers and promotes their civic responsibility. Group activities and projects relevant to the homes, blocks and neighborhoods that we live in incorporate the mentors and mentees that we work with. Our civic projects develop both competitive job skills, and an understanding of the critical institutions in our local communities.
The Common Belief
The wealth of knowledge that a man of color carries within himself about how to navigate the many social obstacles that can invalidate our contributions to society is precious to the young men now trying to make sense of their options. This knowledge proves that we are equipped to do more than survive, but thrive in our communities and to serve as examples of how to work together to accomplish common goals. The wealth in cultural heritage that we possess is a testament to overcoming these obstacles and that same strength will be brought to support the young men who seek a path to validation and social acceptance.
–Fernando Lorence, Vice Chairman of the Executive Board
500 Men Making a Difference Inc.
THE ORGANIZATION
500 Men Making a Difference, is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization operating in the five boroughs of New York City. Founded in 2010 by Wayne Devonish 500 Men recruits, trains and matches mentors who are eligible to support young men ages 12-22. The organization is based in Brooklyn New York and engages young men in one on one mentoring, hands on community revitalization projects, group tutoring and volunteer placement.
Executive Board
Wayne Devonish – Principal Founder, Chairman
Fernando Lorence – Co-Founder, Vice Chairman
Cyriac St. Vil – Co-Founder, Second Vice Chairman and Spokesman
Darryl Person – Co-Founder, Treasurer
George Hutchenson – Co-Founder, Secretary
Julius Wilson – Member
Oliver Hayden – Member
Anthony Bonner – Member
Barry Cooper – Member
COMMITTEES & PROJECTS
Civic Engagement Committee
Julius Wilson, Chairperson
Oliver Hayden, Vice Chairperson
Through the civic engagement committee, 500 Men is dedicated to improving the quality of life of community residents, by engaging in revitalization and construction programs and facilitating socially conscious activity. Civic Engagement is focused on anti-violence activism and facilitates “Stop the Violence” discussion forums where men and women from communities disproportionately effected by violence come together to discuss the situation & develop solutions that are feasible for the local community leaders to enact.
For more information or to get involved, please email: [email protected]
Advisory Board
Barbara Jean Williams, Chairperson
The Advisory Board assists in the creation, planning and design of the programs of 500 Men. It also aids in creating policies, fulfilling a supportive role in implementing policies and providing direction to the program staff. In addition the Advisory Board provides advice on the strategy and structure of the organization.
For more information or to get involved, please email: [email protected]
Black Men's Brunch Committee
Cyriac St. Vil, Chairperson
Oliver Hayden, Member
500 Men Making a Difference Inc. in collaboration with Borough President Eric Adams has developed an initiative called the Black Men’s Brunch. This brunch brings together a small group of progressive and accomplished black men to meet each other and collaborate on projects that positively effect and enhance our communities. The B.M.B. Committee is responsible for all aspects of preparation, planning and production of the brunch.
For more information or to get involved, please email: [email protected]
Major Projects
Mentoring and Leadership Development
Darryl Person, Project Lead
The mentoring and leadership development committee is committed to providing one-on-one and group discussion focused on personal and professional empowerment, entrepreneurial and career exposure, as well as financial literacy. These conversations will be led by members of the 500 Men Making A Difference network and external partners who are dedicated to shaping the lives of our youth. Each student enrolled in the mentoring program will be challenged and empowered to set goals and lead change within their community.
For more information or to get involved, please email: [email protected]
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer
George Hutchinson, Project Lead
The American Cancer Society has been saving lives for 100 years. Today, we are supporting The American Cancer Society in its effort to save more than 400 lives a day that would otherwise be lost to cancer. And we won’t stop until we finish the fight. 500 Men Making a Difference leverages the volunteer service of men and women in the New York community to walk in the American Cancer Society’s annual event Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. We are proud to be one of the men’s organizations with a team that walks every year and raises money in support of our sisters, mothers, daughters, aunts, nieces, wives, cousins and friends.
For more information or to get involved, please email: [email protected]
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