Emerging Leaders Class of 2021

Devon Patterson is a recent graduate of the University at Buffalo with a B.A. in African American Studies. He served as the vice president and president of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and captain of the UB track and field team for two years. Devon was also a member of the Council of Student Athletes for the Mid-American Conference, was chosen to be a part of a nationwide leadership development training through the NCAA, served as the only student athlete on a “difficult conversations” panel discussing the controversy of taking a knee in college athletics, and was the sole student athlete award recipient for diversity and inclusion in 2018.

During his athletic career, Devon has achieved three conference titles in shot put, four appearances in the first round of the NCAA championships, a place on the Puerto Rican national team, and one national record.

Currently, Devon works for Open Buffalo as a Youth Organizer, where he oversees and supports the Youth Action leadership development program made up of 14- to 24-year-old young adults in their journey to be changemakers in the community.