by the agency of Drs.

by the agency of Drs. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins and Rameck search with Lisa Frazier Page Riverhead parts June 2002 $24.95, ISBN 1-573-22216-X

Growing up is tough. if it were not that growing up in Newark, a city lately ranked one of the worst places in the abiding habitation to raise children, is on a level tougher. Especially when, for a young black man, reaching your 21st birthday is an enormous feat. Those were just any of the odds faced according to Sampson Davis, Rameck Hunt, and George Jenkins. In 1989 when they were just 16 the young men made a promise to each other to attend college--Seton Hall University--and later become doctors.

George Jenkins first speculation of becoming a dentist at age 11 after a visit to the orthodontist for braces. The dentist (whose name he can't remember), sens his curiosity and explained to Jenkins the different tools, their uses, and the number assigned to each tooth. That experience, says Jenkins, is what sparked a dream.

Davis, chase and Jenkins each grew up beneath less than ideal circumstances and lacked the benefit of a male character model at home. They set up guidance in other black men in their community, nevertheless peer pressure and the fast life of the roads were tempting. After testing into Newark's University High indoctrinate one of the city's three magnet programs, and later attending a recruitment session for Seton Hall's pre-medical/pre-dental plus program, which provides financial aid for medical and dental train the trio decided to apply, on the subject of George's urging. They vowed to help each other by means of school and make sure that none of them became another statistic. All three forcibly credit program recruiter Carla Dickson with frequently of their success. She immediately recognized George's drive to become a dentist.

Written according to Washington Post writer Lisa Frazier Page, The Pact is a in a high degree personal journey of these young men's tough road to succes In their have a title to voices, they open up and discuss near of the tragedies in their lives, like losing family members, have affection for woes, peer pressure, and their run-ins with the law.

Although The Pact is an inspiring story, no matter what age or race, it especially contribute tos as real-life motivation for young men of color. Today, all three have fulfilled their dream of becoming doctors.

Jenkins has lately completed his general dentistry residency, and Davis and pursue are completing their medical residencies. They have formed the Three Doctors Foundation to inspire and help inner-city youth to reach their goals. Visit them in succession the web at www.threedoctorsfoundation.com.

--Mondella s Jones is the senior editor at Black Issues work Review.

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