The Pact: Three Young Men Make a Promise and Fulfill a Dream
Chosen by Essence to be among the forty most influential African Americans, the three doctors grew up in the streets of Newark, facing city life’s temptations, pitfalls, even jail. But one day these three young men made a pact. They promised each other they would all become doctors, and stick it out together through the long, difficult journey to attaining that dream. Sampson Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt are not only friends to this day—they are all doctors.\ This is a story about...
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We often hear about the dangers of male friendships in which peer pressure prevails over common sense. But for the authors, it was a powerful antidote to the pitfalls of street life in Newark, New Jersey. They made a vow to be there for one another, to encourage each other every step of the way, until they overcame the odds and became doctors. In The Pact, they share the story of their struggle to keep the pledge they made -- a pledge that ultimately led to success they could barely imagine.Philadelphia EnquirerGripping, courageous, and inspiring.
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Introduction91.Dreaming Big152.Home293.Ma624.Common Ground875.Caged1076.A Big Break1237.Hope140George on Peer Pressure1478.Summer Odyssey1529.Earth Angel16510.A Different World178Rameck on Giving Back19811.Rap20212.Lovesick21813.Access Med22414.Old Ties24315.D.W.B.26416.Becoming Doctors274Sam on Perseverance29417.Graduation29918.Goodbye30819.Home Again317Epilogue331Acknowledgments339
\ From Barnes & NobleIn the Newark, New Jersey, ghetto where the authors grew up, no one was expected to become an achiever in any way. Poor kids from broken homes were much more likely to become heroin addicts or, if they were lucky, drug dealers. But George Jenkins, Sampson Davis, and Rameck Hunt didn't succumb to peer pressure; they thrived on it. Prodding each other toward their goals, this trio succeeded, each becoming a doctor. Their inspiring story doesn't neglect or trivialize the obstacles that confront even the most valorous inner-city teenager.\ \ \ \ \ Dallas Morning NewsA powerful message of hope.\ \ \ Philadelphia EnquirerGripping, courageous, and inspiring.\ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyGrowing up in broken homes in a crime-ridden area of Newark, N.J., these three authors could easily have followed their childhood friends into lives of drug-dealing, gangs and prison. They tell harrowing stories of being arrested for assault and mugging drug dealers, and of the lack of options they saw as black teenagers. But when their high school was visited by a recruiter from a college aimed at preparing minority students for medical school, the three friends decided to make something of their lives. Through the rigors of medical and dental school, and a brief detour into performing rap music at local clubs, they supported each other. Today, Davis and Hunt are doctors, and Jenkins is a dentist; the men's Three Doctors Foundation funds scholarships to give other poor black kids the same opportunities. The authors aren't professional readers, and it shows. They're clearly reading aloud, not speaking spontaneously. But the authenticity of their urban accents and the earnestness and sincerity in their voices give their inspiring tale an immediacy that would be lost with a professional narrator. Based on the Riverhead hardcover (Forecasts, Apr. 22). (June)n Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ Library JournalThis production is based on the inspiring story of three young, lower-middle-class black friends who live in Newark, NJ, and make a pact to help each other to reach their shared goal of becoming doctors, and they do so despite innumerable daunting experiences. The audiobook presents another theme central to the lives of Davis, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt-giving back. Teens, especially those at risk, who hear this tale of the authors' struggle to make something of their lives in the face of the enormous temptations of the street and to support each other so that all three might succeed will receive a gift: an extraordinary model of self-determination. They will also be moved by the earnest tone of the narration, provided by the men themselves. Highly recommended for all public and secondary school library collections.-Mark Pumphrey, Polk Cty. P.L., Columbus, NC Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ School Library JournalAdult/High School-This is the collective memoir of three 29-year-old African-American men from broken impoverished homes around Newark, NJ. Davis is an emergency-room physician, Hunt is an internist, and Jenkins is a dentist; each one takes a turn narrating a chapter. As teens, they made a pact to stick together through college and medical school, to help one another reach their goals. The advice they give is to work hard toward your objectives, avoid hanging out with those who will have a detrimental influence on you, and surround yourself with friends who have similar dreams and ambitions. The authors are frank about their mistakes, temporary failures, disappointments, and shortcomings. They started mentoring programs such as Ujima while they were still college freshmen, and today they run the Three Doctors Foundation. Many teens will be captivated by the men's accounts of their childhoods, their families, the street life that threatened to swallow them up, and how they helped one another succeed.-Joyce Fay Fletcher, Rippon Middle School, Prince William County, VA Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.\ \ \ \ \ From The CriticsThree young African-American men make a high-school pact to abandon the lure of street life in Newark, New Jersey and become doctors. This volume chronicles their struggle to succeed, from childhood through medical and dental school graduation, emphasizing throughout how their mutual support and friendship was the key to their achieving their goals. Perfect for junior high and high school aged youth seeking inspiration. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)\ \
