MAKE ACommunity-born. Youth-centered. Built on the belief that every young person deserves to see a future worth moving toward.
In 2012, the death of De'Quan Walker Smith near Manual High School changed the trajectory of a community vision.
Phillip Douglas and Sir Martin had been using chess as a space for real conversations about decisions, survival, and opportunity. Their idea took shape as Make A Chess Move: a way to help young people learn that the choices made on a chessboard are connected to the choices made in life.
What began in Northeast Denver developed into a youth-led approach to critical thinking, mentorship, compassion, and leadership. MACM continues to honor that origin through opportunities for young people to learn, belong, and lead.
By developing tenacious learners, compassionate leaders, and ethically driven critical thinkers.
We work to interrupt pathways from school disengagement to justice-system involvement through supportive relationships and practical, culturally grounded learning.
Stay curious. Solve problems. Develop the discipline to see past the next move.
Build trust, relationships, and the courage to care about what happens to others.
Make decisions grounded in reflection, accountability, and long-term possibility.
Our 2025 report described a year of stabilization, expansion, and deeper youth development; the Summer 2026 report shows that commitment in motion through hands-on youth leadership.
MACM reported 708 youth served, leadership training, mentoring, coping-skills workshops, and workforce exposure.
Five young people were paid and trained as co-facilitators, bringing activities to community partner sites.
MACM's 2025 strategic priorities included expanding mentoring, developing staff capacity, and exploring a permanent training center.
From outdoor circles to indoor coaching and relationship-based group work, these moments help show how MACM builds trust, connection, and leadership beyond the chessboard.
