A boyhood vow that three inner-city youngsters made to help each other succeed led to the trio all reaching their goal of becoming medical doctors or dentists. Along the way they also became New York Times-bestselling authors. Now Derek Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation brings their timely message of using teamwork to solve problems to Kalamazoo on Wednesday, July 30. It's part of its “Re2pect Your Community” event.
"The Three Doctors" are Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt and George Jenkins, whose life story has been made into a documentary. WMUK’s Earlene McMichael recently interviewed Davis and he describes how the men met, and more, on WestSouthwest.
Their public presentation at the "Re2pect Your Community" program is a community-service project of the Turn 2 Foundation’s Jeter's Leaders, an intensive four-year-long leadership group of high-school students with chapters in Kalamazoo and New York City. The event is co-sponsored by PNC Bank in partnership with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. It starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 30, at Chenery Auditorium in Kalamazoo. There is no cost to attend but pre-registration is required. The goal is "to inspire and empower every local resident to work together toward a better Kalamazoo," says a press release.
Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter, a graduate of Kalamazoo Central High School, founded the Turn 2 Foundation in 1996 to create outlets for children to reach academic excellence, develop leadership skills and remain alcohol-and-drug-free. To date, it has awarded more than $19 million in grants.
To RSVP for Wednesday's event, visit the Kalamazoo Community Foundation's webpage. You can also call (269) 381-4416 or email RSVP@kalfound.org.