After a tragic robbery in Queens, New York—where seven innocent employees were shot and five lost their lives—I knew I had to make a move. I could no longer stand by and watch our children fall victim to bad decisions, peer pressure, and a broken system. I made a commitment to be part of the solution.
So I founded Be Someone, a youth mentoring and leadership development program that teaches critical thinking, decision-making, and discipline through chess. My goal was clear:prevent violence, build up our communities, and eradicate the school-to-prison pipeline.
For over two decades, we’ve delivered chess-based life lessons to more than 100,000 students across the country—from schools and churches to juvenile detention centers. Chess has become more than a game—it’s a metaphor for life. It teaches young people to slow down, think before they act, and understand that every move has consequences.
At Be Someone, we believe that when you teach a child to think, you save a life. That’s why we continue to offer free and low-cost training camps, community workshops, and crime prevention programs. We help youth see they have options—better options—and that they are born to win.
As we celebrate 25 years of impact, we’re doubling down on our mission. The world needs more thinkers, more leaders, and more love.
Join us as we continue to transform lives, one move at a time. Support our mission, bring us to your school or organization, and help us reach our goal of training one million young people to make their next move their best move.
Because when you make better moves, you get better results.
— Orrin
