Monica Pearson and Orrin Hudson
Nationwide — Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson, founder of the Be Someone mentoring program based in Atlanta, GA, will be a guest on “The Monica Pearson Show,” KISS 104.1 FM, on Sunday, May 7, at 1 p.m.Pearson, long regarded as one of the most accomplished and respected news personalities in Atlanta’s rich broadcasting history, started hosting her own show on R&B radio station KISS 104.1 FM, a Cox Media Group property, in January 2014.
Hudson, a two-time World Open speed chess champion, will be talking about some of Be Someone’s upcoming activities. including a five-day leadership chess camp that will be held June 5-9, as well his philosophy on chess and life.
Hudson established Be Someone (www.BeSomeone.org), a mentoring organization to help at-risk youths ages 7-21. He believes all children can make the right moves in life by choosing a path of peace instead of violence, brains before bullets, and to think it out, don’t’ shoot it out. Hudson also teaches the concept of KASH: Knowledge, Attitude, Skills and Habits. Since Be Someone was founded in 2001, he has taught more than 55,000 children throughout the country, including hundreds of students in the public school systems of DeKalb County and Atlanta.
“To be interviewed by Monica Pearson, a journalist of the highest caliber and integrity, not only in Atlanta but throughout the world and someone I’ve admired for more than two decades, is something I am really looking forward to,” said Hudson, also author of the #1 Amazon best-selling title One Move at a Time, How to Win at Chess and Life.
“We have talked off air on many occasions previously, but to get a chance to appear as a guest on her radio show and talk about the work of Be Someone and my background is such an honor and tremendous opportunity.”
Pearson worked as a news anchor on top-rated WSB-TV, another Cox Media Group property, for 37 years until her retirement in 2012. She now hosts a weekly radio show on KISS 104.1 FM (www.kiss104fm.com) and continues her Close-ups interviews on WSB-TV.
She joined WSB-TV in 1975 as Atlanta’s first woman and first minority to anchor the daily 6pm news. She also has anchored the 4, 5 and 11 p.m. news during her career.
Since her retirement, she graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Georgia with a M.A. in Journalism and Mass Communication on August 1, 2014; taught at Atlanta Metropolitan State College and wrote a column for Southern Seasons magazine.
Pearson is a member of the Journalism Hall of Fame at the University of Kentucky; the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Atlanta Press Club Hall of Fame; Georgia Music Hall of Fame and was inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists Hall of Fame in July 2016.
Pearson is a member of numerous civic, community and professional organizations, including the NAACP (Life Member), The National and The Atlanta Associations of Black Journalists, The Atlanta Press Club and the Screen Actors Guild, to name a few.
Orrin “Checkmate Hudson” Upcoming Events:
April 30, 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
First Baptist Atlanta, Dr. Charles Stanley, Pastor
May 5, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm
Leadercast Infinite Energy Arena, Duluth, GA
May 7, noon to 2 p.m.
The Monica Pearson Show, Kiss 104.1
May 9, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Chick-fil-A, 2985 Turner Hill Rd., Stonecrest, GA
May 13, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Stone Mountain Middle School, Stone Mountain, GA 30083
June 5-9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Five-day Leadership Chess Camp
949 Stephenson Road. Stone Mountain, GA
July 8-11
NSA Influence 2017 Convention Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort, Lake Buena Vista, FL
To invite Master Motivator and Mentor Orrin “Checkmate” Hudson to energize your next event, contact Thomas Smith at 404-291-4929 or tpsmith62307@gmail.com.