Boxing in Detroit with Chelsea Clinton

In a city fighting for renewal, Detroit-native Coach Khali Sweeney is providing kids with a safe haven, at the Downtown Boxing Gym (DBG). This non-profit organization helps its students start to develop strong values and discipline by combining a demanding boxing program with strong academic support and a connection to the community through voluntary service. By focusing on body, mind, and community, DBG helps these young people develop the skills they need to be successful in boxing, school, and life.

Downtown Boxing Gym in Detroit; Using donated Zipcars to pick up the kids; The group in the gym; Chelsea Clinton gets a lesson; Studying, tutoring and homework are part of the program; High-fives for work well done. Images from NBC Nightly News.

When we launched Zipcars in Detroit, Market Manager, Monica Wejman didn't quite know what the impact would be in the Motor City. One thing she didn't see coming was a boxing gym whose volunteer coaches use Zipcars to pick up kids and bring them to this athletic training program. (What better way to make sure the kids show up than to drive right to them?) “We’ve been struck by the passion and hope that the Detroit Boxing Gym brings to not just the kids that attend the programs, but also to the community as a whole.”

Chelsea Clinton and NBC Nightly News travelled to Detroit in 2014 to help spread the word about this inspiring program. We were lucky enough to go along for the ride. Watch it here