During his adolescence, Davis felt that Newark was like "a cold mother" that seemed like it tried to beat him down at times, but also loved him.
However, after leaving Newark for college and his medical degree, he found himself missing the city and its sense of community. This sentiment was amplified by the stark comparison between the violence of Newark's streets and the relative safety of the university campus.
Upon his return to the city as a physician, Davis saw the immense social and economic issues in the community and felt frustration by the lack of support from the white institutions in the area. These feelings shifted between anger and sadness as he attempted to make an impact in his community.
Eventually, Davis experienced a sense of reconciliation with his hometown as he realized that he could use his skills as a physician to make a positive impact. He founded several initiatives such as the National Center for Urban Minority Health, which aimed to improve health care accessibility and outcomes in Black communities. Through these efforts, he found healing and a renewed sense of hope in the process of returning to and serving his hometown.
