Wanderlust World Wanderlust World In a 1995 address to his high school alma mater, Dr. LeRoy T. Davis described his lifelong, evolving relationship with Newark, New Jersey, as a cycle of love, pain, anger, and ultimate reconciliation.
As a youth, Davis felt Newark was like "a cold mother"—a place that could be harsh and unforgiving, yet also the source of his identity and community.
Leaving for college and medical school brought a stark contrast: the relative safety of campus life versus the violence of Newark's streets. Distance bred a surprising homesickness and a renewed appreciation for the city's communal bonds.
Returning to practice medicine, Davis confronted profound social and economic inequities. He felt anger and sadness at the lack of support from external (often white-led) institutions, struggling to make a meaningful impact alone.
Healing came when he channeled his skills into structural solutions. Founding initiatives like the National Center for Urban Minority Health, he worked to improve healthcare access and outcomes in Black communities. Serving his hometown became the path to personal and communal healing, transforming his relationship with Newark into one of hope and purpose.