Growing up in Detroit without positive role models or an adequate education, Khali Sweeney fought to turn the negative spiral of his life around. Once he finally did, he knew he had to help kids growing up in the same circumstances. So, in 2007, he used his entire life savings to open the Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program. Five days a week, more than 100 children are picked up from school and brought to his gym, where they receive free tutoring, dinner and boxing lessons within a safe haven from the tough streets of Detroit. To date, the program has helped around 350 children.
Read his story on CNN.com
Video: CNN Hero Khali Sweeney
Video Extra: Don’t box me in
