Today we’d like to introduce you to Devon Castro.
Devon, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a young man born and raised in the City of Houston. I am a complete product of the Houston ISD where I began as an exemplary student gone bad. I felt a need to fit in after being labeled a teacher’s pet, so I became the class clown to change the narrative. After years of battling a very trying time with wanting to fit in I decided it was time for a change. I was introduced to community service as an outlet by Mr. Roy Douglas Malonson and, almost instantly, I knew I was destined to be a public servant. I then became a member of the Gents organization as a high school freshman at Booker T. Washington High School… It was there that I was able to study under two giants in education Mr. Langston Knowles and the late Mr Franklin Wesley.
They began to teach me everything I missed from the absence of my biological father. The Gents club was so life-changing for me that I returned to serve as an advisor while in college. My mentor Langston Knowles who founded the organization asked me to take a larger role in the organization as he prepared to retire. I accepted and realized the need for a support organization post-graduation for Gents who, like myself had a desire to give back to the organization that had given so much to us. Its been through the founding of the Gents Social Service Club I’ve been able to give something to young men that money can’t buy. Hope, Love, Encouragement, and most of all invest in their futures.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
NO! It has not been a smooth road at all. One of the struggles along the way has been not having enough support from people. People think you only want their money and, it couldn’t be furthest from the truth. We want that which money cannot buy. We want their story!
We’d love to hear more about your organization.
The Gents Club is a Social Services Organization that specializes in making young men aware of their multiple roles in society. Since its founding in 1964 the Gents Club is known as the premier leadership organization for young men in the City of Houston. Since its founding we have produced thousands of productive and contributing young men. My position requires me to develop strategies to help our young men grow, educate on the important of service to schools, community and, the homes and build relationships with individuals and companies that are in the people investing business.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up, I was never coined your average kid. Very young, I became obsessed with serving in the community because it allowed me to stay out of trouble. I had a period where I wanted to fit in so bad that I became very disruptive in school, and began to act out at home. I was able to completely change that when I served. I also go the sense very early that I was created to be a public servant.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gentsalumniinc.org
- Phone: 832-982-5629
- Email: info@gentsalumniinc.org
- Instagram: @btwgents1964
Image Credit:
Gregory Hunte Photography, NXT LVL Content
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