Atlanta

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The Atlanta Division honors Orrin Hudson for his exceptional success in reaching disadvantaged youth by teaching them practical skills and techniques to overcome obstacles in life, illustrated through the game of chess.

In 2000, Mr. Hudson—a former law enforcement officer, motivational speaker, and community activist—realized he needed to be more active in finding a solution to curb teenage violence in his community. Once a troubled youth himself, Mr. Hudson credits a teacher and a chess board for transforming his life. In 2001, Mr. Hudson founded Be Someone, a non-profit organization that uses many activities, including chess, to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and analytical thinking in underprivileged youth. The mission of Be Someone is to build character, hope, and inspiration so that youth can set and achieve life goals, realize their full potential, and “be someone”.

In the years since founding Be Someone, Mr. Hudson has taught chess and life lessons to more than 20,000 young people. He speaks at schools, offers private chess lessons, and hold chess classes in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he lives with his wife and children. He has been featured on the CBS “Early Show,” ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and CNN. Mr. Hudson often partners with communities, schools, and local churches to inspire youth to participate in the Be Someone program.