Show notes
Black Moves First Episode 01: Lisa SuhayIn today’s episode I talk with Lisa Suhay about her chess program and the impact she has had on her community throughout the pandemic. Lisa is a world changer, mentor and inspiration to everyone she meets. Lisa has performed a TEDx of community engagement in creating chess programs for children and is the co-founder of the Norfolk Initiative for Chess Excellence (NICE), a nationally recognized volunteer organization that brings Learn & Play chess to communities in order to advance critical thinking.Lisa Suhay lives in Norfolk, Virginia where she serves as the scribe for the fairy penpals program. She has been a journalist for 31 years for The New York Times, The Christian Science Monitor, The Philadelphia Inquirer and is the author of 10 children’s books, including There Goes a Mermaid: A NorFolktale and America the Grateful: Where Thanksgiving Really Began.This is an episode you don’t want to miss! 1:40 Introduction to Lisa Suhay2:17 Alton shares how he and Lisa met and Alton shares his appreciation for the chess program Lisa started.3:48 Lisa talks about her chess background and beginning the chess program.6:33 How chess has been used in Lisa’s community to bring people together during the pandemic & how it’s impacted the youth, seniors and homeless.11:22 What N.I.C.E. stands for and what it means.12:59 “Chess isn’t a game for smart people.”14:30 Lisa shares the story of how she ran into a previous chess student at the supermarket and what he shared with her about how chess changed his life. 15:28 Lisa’s teaching style and how chess impacts life decisions. 20:32 Alton asks Lisa about her background in journalism, her TEDx talk and her 10 children’s books. 22:06 The Fairy Story - How the pandemic affected the chess program and what Lisa has done to support the children in her community the past year.27:18 How Lisa ended up on the Kelly Clarkson Show.30:25 Lisa shares the story of when she and the other chess mentors bought shoes for a child in the chess program & the impact it had on his life. 34:03 How and why Lisa became the co-chair of the commission to reshape community policing in the state of Virginia. 44:24 A bad day vs a bad job46:20 Lisa shares the story of when she taught a young black child to play chess and the history of why the white piece moves first. 51:55 Why Lisa doesn’t pressure students to win. 55:04 Alton shares his gratitude for Lisa joining him on the first episode of the podcast.Resources mentioned in today’s episode: Norfolk Initiative for Chess Excellence (NICE): https://www.nicechess.net Lisa’s Children's Books: https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Stifflers-Gardening-Cunningham-Batten/dp/0964830809/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&qid=1599752984&refinements=p_27%3ALisa+Suhay&s=books&sr=1-1&text=Lisa+Suhay & https://www.amazon.com/America-Grateful-Where-Thanksgiving-really/dp/172201881X Lisa’s Fairy Program: https://www.fairypenpals.comConnect with us:Subscribe to our podcast and share with others. Sign up for our newsletter: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/cu/3ORVW8T/blackmovesfirstsignup You can also view us on the web at www.blackmovesfirst.com. Follow us on Instagram www.instagram.com/blackmovesfirst & Facebook https://www.facebook.com/blackmoves1stYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFdUxfpQdSfDm_TnB-iSsOg Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackmovesfirst