The Dr. Devon T. Wade

Legends & Legacies Houston, Inc., formerly known as No More Victims, is proud to establish the Dr. Devon T. Wade Legacy Scholarship. This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving young person within the Legends & Legacies Houston, Inc. and No More Victims family who demonstrates academic promise, perseverance, leadership, service, and a commitment to positively impacting others.

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Dr. Devon T. Wade’s life was a powerful example of what is possible when a young person is surrounded by encouragement, mentorship, opportunity, and love. Growing up in Houston with both of his parents incarcerated, Devon understood firsthand the challenges faced by children affected by the criminal justice system. In 2005, he became a member of No More Victims, where he found support, guidance, fellowship, and a safe place to envision a future beyond his circumstances.

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Devon refused to allow his circumstances to determine his destination. He graduated with honors from Louisiana State University, became a prestigious Harry S. Truman Scholar, received a Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowshipand a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, and continued his education as a doctoral student in sociology at Columbia University. His research focused on racial and economic inequality, trauma and discipline in schools, and the impact incarceration has on families; especially children.

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Devon was more than an exceptional scholar. He was a teacher, mentor, advocate, community builder, and source of hope for young people who needed to see that their beginnings did not have to dictate their endings. He continually returned to Houston to mentor students and encourage them to pursue education instead of incarceration. His accomplishments made him the first doctor in the history of No More Victims, creating a path that showed every child in the program that they, too, could overcome adversity, attend college, earn advanced degrees, and change the world.

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Although Devon’s life ended far too soon, his purpose did not. Columbia University awarded him his doctoral degree posthumously in recognition of his extraordinary scholarship, service, advocacy, and the lasting impact he made on the lives of others. His degree was presented to his mother, Suzanne Wade, and his identical twin brother, Stevon Wade.

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Through this scholarship, we will continue carrying Dr. Devon T. Wade’s name, mission, and legacy forward. Alongside his twin brother, Stevon, we will ensure that Devon’s story continues to inspire the next generation of scholars, advocates, mentors, leaders, and history-makers.

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The recipient of the Dr. Devon T. Wade Legacy Scholarship will not simply receive financial assistance. They will be entrusted with a legacy; a legacy of perseverance, education, excellence, service, mentorship, and the responsibility to reach back and help someone else rise.

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Dr. Devon T. Wade proved that children affected by incarceration are not defined by what happened to their families. They are brilliant, capable, worthy, and filled with unlimited potential.

From No More Victims’ first doctor to the future doctors, educators, advocates, and leaders who will follow in his footsteps, Dr. Devon T. Wade’s legacy will continue to live, lead, educate, and inspire.