Orrin C. Hudson of Be Someone
I learned to play Chess when I was 21 years old and only then because my roommate played. He always had babes over teaching them and I wanted to get in on that game too, so I learned.
My friend Orrin Hudson learned at a much younger age but for different reasons. Orrin is the seventh of thirteen kids who found himself in and out of foster care as a kid. He is also an ex-cop and founder of Be Someone, a non-profit crime prevention program.
As a teenager, Orrin did not follow the letter of the law and struggled in school until one of his teachers taught him Chess. “With his help, I began to understand life through a chessboard. He showed me that every move you make has consequences and in order to improve my game and my life, I had to make better choices,” says Hudson. “I slowly realized that I was responsible for my own success or failure.”
Since then, Orrin went on to win the Birmingham City Chess Championships in 1999 and in 2000. He recently won top honors in the Under 1700 section at the 37th Annual World Open in Philly. I tell you, this guy is bad; he can take you down in 3 moves.
Orrin has also dedicated his life to making a difference. And now he does it by teaching kids life lessons through Chess. I visited one of Orrin’s Chess Camps and I was so taken with his presence and teaching skills, I was ready to pick up the game again.
But to Orrin, it’s less about Chess and more about building character. While he is teaching camp goers the game, he uses a variety of call and responses to keep their attention and get them motivated.
To Be Someone you got to get in the game,
I am Orrin C. Hudson; it’s time for a change.
Make the right moves in this game called life,
Think before you move and always be nice.
When the game gets tough and times get rough,
Never give up, cause we are more than enough.
Practice everyday the correct way,
Always better your best before you play.
Orrin is working hard to make every move count. He and Be Someone needs your help. Go to www.besomeone.org to make a donation.
