FBI Atlanta Presents 2013 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Orrin Hudson

Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Ricky Maxwell, FBI Atlanta, presented the Director’s Award for Community Leadership for 2013 to Orrin Hudson for his exceptional insight and success in reaching disadvantaged youth in the metropolitan Atlanta area through the game of chess. On April 4, 2014, FBI Director James B. Comey will host all the FBI’s 56 selectees from around the country at a national ceremony to be held at FBI Headquarters, with Mr. Hudson present as Atlanta FBI’s honoree.

Mr. Hudson, a motivational speaker and community activist, realized the need to become involved in finding a solution to curb teenage violence within his community. Mr. Hudson recounted that, much like today’s youth, he was destined for trouble until a teacher changed his life by introducing him to a chess board.

Mr. Hudson, a former law enforcement officer with the state of Alabama, believes that prevention is better than detention, and, since becoming involved, he has helped over 20,000 children develop the practical skills and techniques to overcome obstacles in life as illustrated through the best and most intellectual visual aid, the chessboard.

After moving to the Atlanta area in 2001, Mr. Hudson launched Be Someone, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit foundation that uses numerous tools, including the game of chess, to promote self-esteem, responsibility, and analytical thinking to underprivileged youths.

Mr. Hudson has touched numerous young lives, and he has been relentless in his pursuit of reaching more young people and introducing them to the game that changed his life. His teaching methods are designed to share something positive to inner city kids where the focus is discipline and patience required by the game of chess.

Mr. Hudson’s organization is dedicated to teaching life lessons primarily to the youth who are at risk of violence in their lives or are at risk of making poor choices that will not allow them to be successful. The mission of Be Someone is to build character, hope, and inspiration so that kids can set and achieve lifetime goals while realizing their full potential.

Mr. Hudson has been featured on the CBS Early Morning Show, Good Morning America, and CNN. He often partners with communities, schools, and local churches to inspire youth to participate in the Be Someone program.

Mr. Hudson continues to speak at schools as well as holding classes in Stone Mountain, Georgia, where he lives with his wife and children. Over the years, Mr. Hudson has taught thousands of such children his message of staying away from violence, stay off drugs, to never give up, and to “Be Someone.”