The city of Lexington is tapping the talents of a well-known community activist to lead anti-violence initiatives. As WUKY’s Josh James reports, the announcement comes as the city witnesses an uptick in youth violence.
Devine Carama wears many hats – from adjunct professor at the University of Kentucky to hip-hop artist.
Carama’s latest title: director of One Lexington. It’s a program meant to bridge divides by bringing government and community resources to bear on the problem of youth violence. Making that connection amid ever-changing social and cultural trends is no small challenge, but Carama says it starts with meeting kids where they are.
It also means engaging on social media, where Carama says many of the violent incidents originate.
Lexington recorded a record 34 homicides in 2020 and is on track to continue that trend this year.
