ATLANTA, March 19, 2009 — Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson, Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit organization Be Someone, is embarking on a nationwide tour to show America's at-risk youth how to make better decisions in school and in life. His tool of choice: a chessboard. His goal: to foster self-esteem, responsibility, and analytical thinking skills to help kids become successful adults.
Inspired by Dr. Estes Taplin, superintendent of the City of Baker School System in Louisiana, about the need to teach children to think critically, Hudson decided to go on a nationwide tour starting with the City of Baker School System, in which the best-performing and worst-performing schools stand only a mile apart. Hudson's second stop will be Dayton, Ohio on March 27, 2009, where his program will be sponsored by Black Man's Think Tank. Marlon Aldridge, the group's president, invited Hudson to Dayton because he agrees that our children need critical thinking skills to make good choices.
Hudson, a former Alabama State Trooper, author of "One Move at a Time" and the founder of Be Someone, has made it his mission to visit all 50 states teaching students how to win the game of life using chess as a metaphor. "Due to the recent economic downturn, we have seen a rise in crime nationwide. I want to make sure that every child chooses to think it out, rather than shoot it out. It is more important than ever before to teach the youth of America that success is not measured by cars or clothes or dollars," said Hudson. "Through chess, I teach children to push pawns instead of drugs and help them make the right moves that will improve their future."
What: Be Someone, Inc. National Tour Event
When: March 27, 2009 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Where: Thurgood Marshall High School
447 Hoover Ave, Dayton, Ohio 45417
Dr. David Lawrence, Principal
Email
937-542-6610
Why: To empower children to make the right moves.
In 2001, Hudson learned of an incident in which seven Wendy's employees were shot, five of whom died – for just $2,400. This tragic incident inspired Hudson to quit his job and use his life's savings to found Be Someone, a not-for-profit organization designed to raise self-esteem while teaching responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk children.
Hudson travels the country mentoring children to value KASH – Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits – over cash. Since Be Someone's founding in 2001, the organization has touched the lives of over 20,000 students across the country. The results have been amazing: higher motivation, improved attendance, and better grades. Hudson's message in every program is "Heads up, pants up, grades up, and never give up."
Hudson hopes the success of Be Someone will inspire others to join him in supporting this important cause. "When good people fail to act, evil prevails," said Hudson. "Investing in the youth of today is one of the best ways to ensure a better tomorrow."
Be Someone's goal is to bring this message to one million students within the next five years. To help Orrin show America's kids how to make the right moves, please click on the links below or visit the websites:
http://www.besomeone.org/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLFENGymr34
About Be Someone
Be Someone was founded in 2001 to get kids off the streets and keep them out of gangs. A non-profit 501(c)(3), Be Someone teaches self-esteem, responsibility and analytical thinking skills to at-risk youth through numerous tools, including the game of chess. Be Someone also offers on-site programs for corporations and community organizations. These programs show you how you can implement these same success principles in your company, school, or community. To schedule Orrin to come to your company or city, or to help him help our nation's youth, please visit http://www.besomeone.org/.
For more information, please contact:
Janice Davis
Be Someone, Inc.
678-526-0292
Email
Kate Bryant
Spaulding Communications
404-270-1010, extension 5
Email
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