LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — What started as a one-time favor for a teacher has become a life-changing mission spanning 15 years and touching half a million young lives.

Devine Carama was once known primarily as a hip-hop artist, but his true calling emerged when a teacher asked him to speak to some students who loved his music. That single conversation sparked a journey that reached an incredible milestone on his 45th birthday: 500,000 students mentored.

"I was a hip hop artist. A lot of kids knew my music. A teacher said, ‘Will you please come and just talk to these boys? They love your music. I'm having a hard time controlling them.’ I thought it was gonna be a one time thing," Carama said.

The celebration took place at Lexington Middle School, where students sang "Happy Birthday" to th

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