Denis Weekes, retired govt chef and longtime member of 500 Males Making a Distinction, teaches a cooking class as a part of the group’s mentorship program aimed toward inspiring younger males in Brooklyn.
Photograph courtesy of Denis Weekes
Denis Weekes, a local of Barbados and retired govt chef dwelling in Brooklyn, has a couple of surprises up his sleeve: he’s a licensed scuba diver, a fantastic swimmer, and as soon as used spearfishing to pay his method by means of school.
He credit his mom with having the best affect on his profession path.
“My cooking affect got here from my mom and grandmother,” he stated.
Regardless of rising up with restricted means, Weekes stated he had an excellent childhood. “In my village, individuals had been all the time variety to one another, sharing what they may once they may.”
Weekes has been a member of the nonprofit group 500 Males Making a Distinction for greater than a decade. Based by Wayne Devonish, the group works to construct a powerful cultural basis in Brooklyn that fosters alternatives for youngsters whereas making a legacy and future with out limits.
As an act of kindness, Weekes — the group’s official chef — provides cooking lessons to younger males in the neighborhood. For the previous two years, he has led the culinary portion of the group’s mentorship program.
By the mentorship program, different members additionally share their profession experiences—ones that transcend simply sports activities. Weekes added that this helps present the younger males the group serves that there are different significant paths they’ll comply with to make an affect of their communities.
In accordance with Weekes, the group additionally hosts a toy drive each Christmas and a faculty provide drive each September. Members are presently engaged on renovating an orphanage in Ghana.
Weekes additionally serves because the official chef for the Brooklyn chapter of Jack and Jill of America Inc., a company that helps younger individuals as they put together for faculty.
On the affect of his contributions, Weekes stated: “These items have proven folks that service to the neighborhood is vital. The work of the group helps preserve younger males off the streets. A few of them have turn into members and have served the neighborhood in their very own method.”
Rising up, Weekes loved enjoying cricket and soccer, swimming, diving and spearfishing. Nowadays, his predominant passion is fishing.
He stated one in every of his proudest legacies is having mentored a younger man whereas working as an govt chef. That younger man is now a culinary teacher.
“He got here from nothing and have become any person influential,” he stated.
His message to younger individuals is straightforward: “By no means surrender.”
To study extra about 500 Males Making a Distinction, go to 500menmakingadifference.com.
