Meet Ricardo P. Deveaux - Visionary Leader, Community Activist, Motivational Speaker
Ricardo P. Deveaux, C.D, LHD
National Leader • Educator • Public Servant • Youth Advocate
Ricardo P. Deveaux is a distinguished Bahamian public servant, youth advocate, and education leader whose career spans more than three decades of exceptional service. Recognized nationally and internationally for his commitment to youth development, leadership training, and community empowerment, he has held senior government roles, founded impactful youth programs, and achieved numerous “firsts” in education, fraternity leadership, and inter-fraternal service.
A graduate of the public school system of The Bahamas, Ricardo completed R.M. Bailey Senior High School in 1985 before earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology (Honours) from Bethune-Cookman University in 1990 and a Master of Science Degree in Human Services – Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University in 1992.
In 2009, he returned to Bethune-Cookman as its Commencement Speaker, becoming only the second Bahamian and one of the youngest individuals in recent years to deliver the coveted address. That same day, he was awarded the Honourary Doctorate of Humane Letters (LHD).
Education & Academic Achievements
Public Service Career - Since September 1992, Ricardo has served in the Bahamas Government in multiple ministries, including:
Founder & Leader – Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation
In 1996, Ricardo assisted in the establishment of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program, now the nation’s premier academic awards initiative. Under his leadership as President & CEO, the Foundation has:
Fraternal & Inter-Fraternal Leadership
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Initiated 1988, Delta Beta Chapter (Bethune-Cookman University); Life Member since 1990
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
Global Engagement
Awards & Recognition (selected)
Community Involvement
Early Leadership Development
Ricardo credits Junior Achievement for nurturing his leadership skills and passion for youth development. As a high school achiever, he served as Vice-President of Production, President of his JA Company, and Treasurer of the Achievers Association, representing The Bahamas at international JA conferences in 1984 and 1985. He later returned as a Junior Advisor, Advisor, and Executive Advisor.
Personal Life
Ricardo is married to Pamela J. Deveaux, a Chartered Accountant. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Richea Juanita (a Primary School Educator and Publish Author) and Paige Aaliyah (Grade 11 Student). He is the eldest son of Edward and Beverly Deveaux, and the family worships at St. George’s Anglican Church.
National Leader • Educator • Public Servant • Youth Advocate
Ricardo P. Deveaux is a distinguished Bahamian public servant, youth advocate, and education leader whose career spans more than three decades of exceptional service. Recognized nationally and internationally for his commitment to youth development, leadership training, and community empowerment, he has held senior government roles, founded impactful youth programs, and achieved numerous “firsts” in education, fraternity leadership, and inter-fraternal service.
A graduate of the public school system of The Bahamas, Ricardo completed R.M. Bailey Senior High School in 1985 before earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology (Honours) from Bethune-Cookman University in 1990 and a Master of Science Degree in Human Services – Human Resource Management from Nova Southeastern University in 1992.
In 2009, he returned to Bethune-Cookman as its Commencement Speaker, becoming only the second Bahamian and one of the youngest individuals in recent years to deliver the coveted address. That same day, he was awarded the Honourary Doctorate of Humane Letters (LHD).
Education & Academic Achievements
- Bachelor of Science Degree (B.Sc) Psychology (Honours) – Bethune-Cookman University, 1990
- Master of Science Degree (M.Sc), Human Services – HR Management – Nova Southeastern University, 1992
- Honourary Doctorate of Humane Letters – Bethune-Cookman University, 2009 (Commencement Speaker)
- Fellowship - Peking University School of Political Development & Governance, Beijing, China, 2012 – Certificate in Public Administration; Closing Address Speaker
- Certificate in Public Service - The University of The Bahamas, 2022 - Certificate in Public Service Institutional Capacity Building Training
Public Service Career - Since September 1992, Ricardo has served in the Bahamas Government in multiple ministries, including:
- Deputy Permanent Secretary - Ministry of Education & Technical & Vocational Training (2021 - current)
- Deputy Permanent Secretary / Executive Director, Consumer Protection Commission (2019 - 2021)
- First Assistant Secretary - Ministry of Labour (2013 - 2021)
- Senior Assistant Secretary - Ministry of the Public Service (2021)
- Senior Assistant Secretary - Office of the Deputy Prime Minister & Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2011 - 2013)
- Senior Assistant Secretary - Ministry of Youth, Sports & Culture (Officer in Charge, Self-Starters Youth Entrepreneurial Grant Fund) (2008 - 2011)
- Assistant Secretary - Ministry of Housing (2001 - 2008)
- Assistant Secretary - Ministry of National Security (The Royal Bahamas Police Force) (1999 - 2001)
- Trainee Administrative Cadet - Ministry of Education (1992 - 1998)
- Special Rotation, The Cabinet Office (2008) – Selected by the Secretary to the Cabinet to attend weekly Cabinet meetings with Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham and Cabinet Ministers, an opportunity afforded to only a select group of public officers.
- National Advisory Council for Education – Member (2010–2012)
Founder & Leader – Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Foundation
In 1996, Ricardo assisted in the establishment of the Bahamas Primary School Student of the Year Awards Program, now the nation’s premier academic awards initiative. Under his leadership as President & CEO, the Foundation has:
- Recognized over 3,300 of The Bahamas’ best and brightest primary school students
- Awarded more than $3.2 million in scholarships and prizes
- Personally tracked over 60% of past nominees since 2007.
Fraternal & Inter-Fraternal Leadership
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. – Initiated 1988, Delta Beta Chapter (Bethune-Cookman University); Life Member since 1990
- Local Graduate Chapter President, Iota Epsilon Lambda (2000–2003)
- First Bahamas Area Director, Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters (2002–2009)
- Chairman, International Brothers Affairs (2005–2008) – First Bahamian to serve on Alpha Phi Alpha’s senior international leadership team
- International Standing Committee Member – Human Resources (2013–2016), Publications (2017–2021)
National Pan-Hellenic Council, Inc.
- National First Vice-President - First international council member and youngest to serve as National First Vice-President (1999–2003)
- Assistant Regional Director, Southern Region - First international and first Bahamian elected (1998-1999)
- Charter President, Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council - First international NPHC Council to be chartered (1994 - 1998)
Global Engagement
- Commencement Speaker, Bethune-Cookman University (2009), following past speakers including Sir Lynden Pindling, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. , Coretta Scott King, Cicely Tyson, and Dr. Ben Carson
- Fellowship, Peking University (2012) – Closing Address Speaker
- Charter President, Bethune-Cookman University Nassau, Bahamas Alumni Chapter (2009) – Led the University’s first international alumni convention (2011)
- First Bahamian appointed to the Bethune-Cookman University Associate Board of Trustees (2010)
- First Bahamian and first International Director, John C. Rawls Florida Federation of Alpha Chapters Education Foundation (2022)
Awards & Recognition (selected)
- Order of Distinction – Companion (C.D.), Government of The Bahamas (2023) - one of the youngest recipients to be awarded this National Honour
- Louise Simmons Youth Ally Award, Ministry of Youth (2019)
- Hubert Edwards Global Leadership Award (2019)
- Distinguished Youth Leader Award, Bahamas Faith Ministries International (2006) – presented by Dr. Myles Munroe
- The Black Man Can Award – K–12 Education (2013) – First international recipient
- Bahamas Greek Hall of Fame, Nassau, Bahamas Pan-Hellenic Council (2004) - First Inductee of the Bahamas Greek Hall of Fame
Community Involvement
- Deputy Chair, National Training Agency (2021 - 2025)
- Board Member – Iota Epsilon Lambda Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.;
- Former Board Member - One Bahamas Foundation;
- Former Board Chairman - Greenville Preparatory Academy; National Tripartite Council
- Former Board Member – Simpson Penn Centre for Boys, Ranfurly Home for Children, Golden Gates World Outreach Ministries Academy
- Former PTA Vice-President – Queen’s College, St. Thomas Catholic Primary School, Gleniston Learning Centre
Early Leadership Development
Ricardo credits Junior Achievement for nurturing his leadership skills and passion for youth development. As a high school achiever, he served as Vice-President of Production, President of his JA Company, and Treasurer of the Achievers Association, representing The Bahamas at international JA conferences in 1984 and 1985. He later returned as a Junior Advisor, Advisor, and Executive Advisor.
Personal Life
Ricardo is married to Pamela J. Deveaux, a Chartered Accountant. They are the proud parents of two daughters, Richea Juanita (a Primary School Educator and Publish Author) and Paige Aaliyah (Grade 11 Student). He is the eldest son of Edward and Beverly Deveaux, and the family worships at St. George’s Anglican Church.
Ricardo & Pamela Deveaux
The Deveaux Family - Ricardo, Pamela, Richea and Paige
The Pride & Joy of The Deveaux Family - Richea Juanita and Paige Aaliyah
The Deveaux Family - August 2019
The Deveaux Family Vacation - August 2015
