HUNTSVILLE, Ala., April 13, 2012 — As a group, African American males 13-17 years old are at-risk. A program to be presented in Huntsville on April 28 is designed to call attention to this growing problem and look for solutions.
EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) is a signature program of the national service sorority Delta Sigma Theta. National president Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre has made this a personal priority and believes this can change lives. According to the local chapter president of Delta Sigma Theta, "The Huntsville Alumnae Chapter is charged with the implementation of our national initiative to improve the plight of young African American males in our community, so we are indeed excited to co-sponsor this notable motivational speaker with Delta, Inc. (our 501(c)3 organization) to come to Huntsville to inspire our young people."
Young men from the Huntsville area are being invited to the half-day event that will let them know they have choices to make in their young lives that will have lasting impact. One speaker is a former Alabama resident who has learned some hard lessons but is now on the path to set other youngsters straight.
Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson's unique motivational training methodology – using the game of chess – and tireless drive to help students achieve success have touched young audiences not only coast to coast but internationally. His unique training challenges students to do their best and to believe in their own ideas and never give up.
Hudson uses the game of chess to teach a simple but yet overlooked concept – there is a consequence to every action you make in life and you must develop a thought process based on reason. Teaching youth to think through an issue at hand and consider the results is his focus. In chess, a player might lose a pawn. In life, the consequences for a wrong move are much more severe and lasting.
Hudson's program is very successful and impactful; he has trained more than 20,000 students, and his lifetime goal is to reach one million youngsters before he turns over the responsibility to others coming behind him. He is a believer in the "paying it forward" concept. "I was once a young know-it-all teenager in Alabama and I was on the road to destruction and possibly even a premature death," he readily admits.
"But I had a teacher who saw potential in me, and he taught me the game of chess – showing me that there are consequences for every move I make on the chessboard. This helped me to realize that I could be someone, if only I chose the right moves in my life."
Hudson's leadership and team-building techniques, along with what he calls his "God-given" ability to connect with youth, has earned Be Someone national attention from CNN, People Magazine, CBS Early Morning Show, Sports Illustrated Teen, Time Magazine for Kids and USA Today.
According to Butler-McIntyre, "Having Orrin Hudson as a participant excites us all. He has captured young audiences and made a difference in lives wherever he has gone. The young men who will participate with us are in for a possibly life-changing experience."
Event details:
Who: Huntsville Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, www.dsthuntsville.org
What: 1st Annual EMBODI Summit: Transforming Boys II Men
When: April 28, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Sheraton 4 Points, 1000 Glenn Hearn Blvd. SW, Huntsville, AL 35824
Why: EMBODI (Empowering Males to Build Opportunities for Developing Independence) is the signature program of our 24th National President, Cynthia M.A. Butler-McIntyre. It is designed to refocus the efforts of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., with the support and action of other major organizations, on the plight of African American males aged 13-17. Both informal and empirical data suggests that the vast majority of African American males continues to be in crisis and is not reaching its fullest potential educationally, socially and emotionally. EMBODI is designed to address these issues through dialogue and recommendations for change and action.
How to participate:
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority was founded on January 13, 1913 by 22 collegiate women at Howard University. These students wanted to use their collective strength to promote academic excellence and to provide assistance to persons in need. For more information, contact April D. Nickerson, 334-728-1264, Email.
For more information on how chess can help children develop life skills, please visit www.besomeone.org.
About Be Someone
Founded in 2001, Be Someone is a non-profit crime prevention program aimed at the youth of America. 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 inspirational programs for corporations and parents, designed to foster teamwork and encourage participation in the lives of children. If you are interested in donating, volunteering or learning more about Be Someone, please visit www.besomeone.org.
Video:
Photo: www.ereleases.com/pic/Be-Someone.jpg
For more information, please contact:
Kim Rice
Be Someone, Inc.
(770) 465-6445
Email
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