Chess and community: the power of a single hour | Lemuel LaRoche | TEDxUGA

Everyone deserves a second chance, but how that second chance should be given differs in everyone’s mind. Lemuel LaRoche believes that he has found the key to redemption, and it lies within the age old game of chess.
Lemuel LaRoche is the founder and executive director of Chess and Community Conference, Inc., a nonprofit youth empowerment organization dedicated to developing strategic leadership skills in young people. Known in the communities that he serves as Life, he fuses chess with conventional therapeutic methods to curb impulsive behavior amongst youth with delinquent pasts. Lemuel holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Georgia and has over fifteen years experience in adolescent and community development. He is the subject of Life the Griot (2014), a documentary highlighting his work in Georgia. Lemuel was listed as one of Athens’ exceptional community leaders in 2013 and his organization has been featured in Georgia Magazine. He is internationally renowned for his poetry, which he uses as a tool for empowerment and reconditioning. He is the author of two books, Tree of Life: The Human Ascension and Hidden Ripples: Life’s Unspoken Language.
This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx

[@Mizzery2345]

this guy is my professor. i get to learn from him every single week. truly has been an enlightening experience

[@TheOriginalAnalogKid]

“Life” was the keynote speaker at the School Social Workers of Georgia (SSWAG) conference in Macon. He was amazing. This is a man who is passionate and motivated to change the world. AMAZING speaker!!!

[@charlesodom4756]

If I rated this presentation on a 10 point scale I would have to rate it at an 11 because a 10 just would not do. Very strong and complete message. We all should find at least 1 to help. This type of thinking is what's required to turn community problems around.

[@sagarj5743]

true. what a mind blowing sense of reality!

[@CharlaHTabb]

This was the motivation I needed to share my one hour a month!

[@stopukpovertyuk2392]

Such a powerful message and wow, what a skilled speaker. Thank you for what you're doing, Lemuel.

[@zachthebruce]

Incredibly inspired by your words and work, Life. Thank you for everything that you do.

[@LeonTsao]

I have to watch this again, after several months since the event!

[@kylevswild]

The poem at the end 🔥🔥🔥

[@v.williams6686]

Very powerful and meaningful. Enlightenment at it's finest. Thank you for your words of wisdom.

[@nomdeguerre63]

very powerful content here! wholeness brother.

[@ashowcaseforunsignedtalent2574]

Loves this guy commitment to the kids, Athens got blessed from the day Life enter UGA.

[@Yolo942]

I stand in awe of this man

[@nvme2ok]

My lil Brother I'm so Proud of You yaa Laamuwyil (Lemuel)! Bless ya heart (Fethaakha!)

[@Drakenfeld]

it's unfortunate that this hasn't got more attention.... people are to busy watching funny cat videos.

[@actingstudents]

Wow! What an inspiration!

[@helenvernon8566]

Right? This talk was just recommended by someone in the UK I've connected with on LinkedIn who uses 5asideCHESS to encourage socialisation, reaching out across generations to help combat depression.

[@aleluyahnos]

AWESOME!!!!

[@mercermitchell7873]

Awesome presentation!

[@BCV2023]

beautiful!

[@MoiLeMaudit]

really inspiring :)

[@stephfurness2359]

Yeah, Life!!!

[@alwayskeephopefoundation8308]

IM INSPIRED

[@Medicatedsloth]

I wish I could find this poem

[@EddieEndriss]

Who downvotes this!?

[@Drakenfeld]

only 66 people know about the prison we live in.

[@helenvernon8566]

Interesting, how come only 66 people?