Hudson will teach and motivate students in 5 elementary schools during his five-day visit, April 24-May 1. 

• April 24th - Floyd Elementary School - 601 Black Creek Road Gadsden, Alabama 35904

• April 25th - Striplin Elementary School - 600 Cleveland Avenue Gadsden, Alabama 35901

• April 26th - Thompson Elementary School - 236 Goldenrod Avenue Gadsden, Alabama 35901

• April 27th - Donehoo Elementary School - 1109 East Broad Street Gadsden, Alabama 35903

• May 1st - Adams Elementary School - 919 Raley Street Gadsden, Alabama 35903

The purpose of the trainings is to give the students conflict resolutions skills and an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking skills and peaceful problem-solving skills they have learned from previous chess-related training through the nationally-known Be Someone, Inc. mentoring program.

Studies show that students who play chess score higher in math and reading and on state standardized tests. Chess students also have an increased interest in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields.

Hudson will bring his “A Game”  as well as his life-size chess board and pieces. His message is, The only way to fight is to use your head! “Brains before bullets; think it out, don’t shoot it out; push pawns not drugs. Heads up, pants up ,grades up and never give up!”

 "We are so pleased and honored to have Orrin at this our event, “said Hector Baeza, Community Education Coordinator. “Orrin has been touching young lives and teaching the principles of success through his chess board across the U.S. We are fortunate to have him with us in Gadsden.” Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson ,is a former Alabama state trooper, first African American Birmingham chess champion, founder of Be Someone, Inc., and author of One Move at a Time.

Hudson believes prevention is better than detention so he takes a proactive approach in teaching young people how to make their next move their m]best move

“We are so pleased and honored to have Orrin at this our event, “said Felicia Simpson, Community Education Coordinator. “Orrin has been touching young lives and teaching the principles of success through his chess board across the U.S. We are fortunate to have him with us in Gadsden.” Orrin "Checkmate" Hudson ,is a former Alabama state trooper, first African American Birmingham chess champion, founder of Be Someone, Inc., and author of One Move at a Time.

Hudson believes prevention is better than detention so he takes a proactive approach in teaching young people.

“Every move you make has a consequence just like in the game of chess. But life is more than a game,” he stressed. "You must make the right moves because one bad move could cause you everything!”

Hudson, who has trained students for celebrities like Jane Fonda, comedian Steve Harvey and the  Disney’s movie The Queen of Katwe. 

 “I can’t wait to meet the young people of Gadsden.  They have so many possibilities available to them, if they just make the right moves,” Hudson said. “That’s what I will be teaching them.”