but for hundreds of kids in detroit who don't, they have khali sweeney. in hard times. he dropped out of school. he hit the streets. dodged bullets and fought despair. but when he saw a picture of his old classmates and realized that most were either dead, in jail, or missing, he decided to change. after he transformed his life, he wanted to help other kids do the same. ten years ago, he launched the downtown boxing gym youth program. before the kids lace up their gloves, they do their homework and spend time with a tutor. their motto, books before boxing. almost 300 kids have benefited and everyone has graduated from high school. [ cheers and applause ] you see, we can rise from any place as long as someone is there to push, inspire, and love us enough not only to make us dream big dreams, but knock down any barrier that stands in our wa way. >> my house is that one right there, that's still standing. that's the house i came to when i was 6 weeks old. that's where my parents dropped me off at. i always wonder, where is my real family at? so i found that