BCCC Board of Directors

Raymond Bell is a nationally respected workforce development leader and the founder of the H.O.P.E. Project, a transformative IT career training and job placement program based in Washington, D.C. Through his visionary leadership, Raymond has helped place hundreds of underserved young adults into high-paying tech careers, bridging the gap between opportunity and achievement.

As President & CEO of Toni Thomas Associates and the H.O.P.E. Project, he brings unmatched expertise in career readiness, professional development, and systems change. His work has been recognized as a national model for equipping communities of color with the skills and support needed to thrive in the digital economy.

As a member of the Big Chair Chess Club Advisory Board, Raymond provides strategic guidance on workforce development, mentorship, and scaling career pathways for youth and returning citizens. His impact-driven leadership strengthens BCCC’s mission to use chess as a launchpad for educational and economic mobility.

Jamila McKinney is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) with a strong reputation for supporting the mental and emotional well-being of individuals and families across Maryland. With a client-centered and culturally responsive approach, Jamila works to empower those navigating anxiety, trauma, depression, and life transitions, always grounded in empathy, understanding, and integrity.

Jamila holds a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is certified through the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors. She currently provides therapy through Healing HMS, where she is a valued clinician known for building trust with clients and helping them reframe their perspectives—“adjusting the lens” to promote healing, growth, and long-term resilience.

With years of experience working with both youth and adults, Jamila understands the importance of early intervention, social-emotional development, and holistic care. She believes mental health support should be accessible, stigma-free, and rooted in the realities of the communities it serves.

As an Advisory Board Member of Big Chair Chess Club, Jamila lends her clinical insight to help shape trauma-informed programming that addresses the mental and emotional needs of youth, returning citizens, and families. Her guidance strengthens the club’s mission to empower lives through chess, mentorship, and mental wellness.

Clement Troutman is a decorated U.S. Navy veteran, accomplished entrepreneur, and tireless advocate for community development who proudly serves on the Advisory Board of Big Chair Chess Club. With more than 20 years of military service, Clement retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer with top-secret security clearance, where he specialized in leadership, operations, and systems integrity—skills that would become foundational to his post-military career.

Following his military retirement, Clement entered the world of technology and security consulting before making a bold leap into the food and hospitality industry. In 2017, inspired by his daughter’s school project on entrepreneurship, Clement opened a Tropical Smoothie Café in Capitol Heights, Maryland. Under his leadership, the location quickly rose to become one of the top-performing franchises in the country, praised not only for its operational excellence but also for its deep-rooted connection to the community it serves.

Beyond business, Clement is the founder of Troutman Alliance LLC, a firm that provides consulting, leadership development, and business support to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners—especially in underserved communities. His work reflects a core belief: "If you serve a need, you don’t have to sell it." This philosophy has guided his efforts to create economic opportunity and social change through business ownership and mentorship.

Clement’s community impact extends to his involvement with Mission of Love Charities and numerous local youth initiatives focused on employment, education, and second chances. His commitment to uplifting others has earned him national recognition, including features in Nation’s Restaurant News, Franchise.org, and Open for Opportunity.

As a member of Big Chair Chess Club’s Advisory Board, Clement provides invaluable guidance on entrepreneurship, workforce development, and veteran engagement. His lived experience, business acumen, and dedication to empowerment make him a key voice in shaping the club’s expansion and its role in transforming lives through chess, mentorship, and opportunity.

Eugene Brown is a nationally recognized mentor, speaker, and changemaker whose life story exemplifies the power of second chances, strategic thinking, and purpose-driven leadership. As the founder of Big Chair Chess Club, Eugene turned a personal transformation behind prison walls into a lifelong mission to help others make better decisions—both on and off the chessboard.

After serving 18 years in prison for a bank robbery he committed in his early twenties, Eugene discovered the game of chess during his incarceration. Chess became more than a pastime—it became a tool for discipline, reflection, and survival. Upon his release, Eugene returned to his Washington, D.C. community with a singular focus: to teach young people the life-changing philosophy that saved him—“Think Before You Move.”

In 1991, he launched the Big Chair Chess Club out of Southeast D.C., named after the neighborhood’s iconic landmark. Through BCCC, Eugene created a safe, empowering space where youth—many facing poverty, violence, or incarceration—could learn to strategize in life the same way they do in chess. His work caught national attention and inspired the critically acclaimed film Life of a King (2013), in which he was portrayed by Academy Award-winner Cuba Gooding Jr.

Over the decades, Eugene has mentored thousands of young people, advocated for justice-involved individuals, and used chess as a universal language of empowerment. His voice has been featured on national platforms and in schools, correctional facilities, and community centers across the country.

As Founder and current Advisory Board Member of Big Chair Chess Club, Eugene continues to guide the organization with wisdom, humility, and vision. His legacy is not only a story of personal redemption—it is a living movement rooted in mentorship, strategy, and hope.

Karla Talley is a passionate legal advocate and policy strategist dedicated to advancing justice for youth and underserved communities. A native of Prince George’s County, Maryland, Karla brings deep local insight and national legal experience to her role on the Big Chair Chess Club Advisory Board.

Karla earned her Juris Doctor from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School as a Toll Public Interest Scholar. While at Penn, she distinguished herself through impactful work in the Interdisciplinary Child Advocacy Clinic, representing young people in dependency cases and immigration matters. She also held leadership roles as the Advocacy Co-Chair for the Black Law Students Association and served as a Senior Editor for the Journal of Law and Social Change.

Her legal journey includes internships with the Abolitionist Law Center, Civil Rights Corps, and Juvenile Law Center, where she focused on youth justice and civil rights reform. After law school, she clerked for the Honorable Catharine F. Easterly at the D.C. Court of Appeals.

Prior to law school, Karla worked at Legal Aid DC, supporting low-income families facing housing instability. She holds a B.A. in English and Government & Law from Lafayette College.

As a Youth Defense & Policy Fellow and Advisory Board Member of Big Chair Chess Club, Karla provides invaluable guidance on legal equity, juvenile justice, and advocacy strategies—helping BCCC empower young minds through mentorship, education, and systems change.

Glenn Harris Jr. is a dedicated public servant, community organizer, and advocate for equity and opportunity. As a current Councilmember in the Town of Brentwood, Maryland, Glenn brings bold, results-oriented leadership to one of Prince George’s County’s most vibrant and diverse communities.

A graduate of Morehouse College with a degree in Political Science, Glenn has spent his career driving grassroots change. His journey includes impactful work on affordable housing and youth development in Chicago, and he served as Director of Organizing for America during President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign in Southwest Philadelphia. His work is rooted in justice, empowerment, and building stronger communities through collaboration and policy change.

Glenn’s priorities center around job development, educational access, and community investment. He has championed programs that connect residents to workforce training, support small businesses, and promote inclusive economic growth. His deep belief in civic engagement and youth opportunity aligns directly with Big Chair Chess Club’s mission to empower individuals through strategic thinking, mentorship, and education.

As an Advisory Board Member, Glenn brings valuable policy insight, regional influence, and a deep commitment to advancing programs that nurture leadership, elevate underserved voices, and create a Brentwood—and a future—that works for all..

Dr. Jorie Jones is a dedicated physician, advocate, and community leader committed to advancing the health and well-being of Black youth and families. A trailblazer from an early age, Dr. Jones entered the Temple Minority Access to Research Careers program at just 12 years old—a pivotal experience that ignited her lifelong passion for medicine and social equity.

She earned her B.A. in Anthropology from Temple University and her M.D. from Meharry Medical College, initially training in General Surgery with aspirations to become a Pediatric Surgeon. Witnessing the devastating impact of gun violence and systemic disparities on Black youth during her training led Dr. Jones to shift her focus to primary care, where she served as a Pediatrician in Southeast Washington, D.C. for over three years.

Her clinical work revealed urgent gaps in the public education and healthcare systems—especially for Black children. In response, Dr. Jones founded Raising Risers, a visionary initiative dedicated to fostering scholarship, emotional development, and self-confidence among Black youth. Through Raising Risers, she empowers children to rise above systemic barriers and become the next generation of thriving leaders.

As an Advisory Board Member of Big Chair Chess Club, Dr. Jones brings invaluable expertise in pediatric health, trauma-informed care, and youth development. Her voice helps shape BCCC’s mission to nurture both the minds and well-being of young people through chess, mentorship, and holistic empowerment.Darin Jackson was raised in North Carolina, Darin credits his grandmother's strong emphasis on education as instrumental to his obtainment of his MBA. Darin is also a CFP professional. When he's not working, he is likely fishing, biking, or enjoying time out on the road.

Christopher R. Wade is a dynamic public servant, community advocate, and small business owner who brings a deep commitment to service, equity, and youth empowerment to the Big Chair Chess Club Advisory Board. Elected in 2021 as the first African-American male to serve as Ward 1 Councilmember in Cheverly, Maryland, Christopher champions the values of “Faith, Family, Education, and Service,” driving positive change through inclusive leadership.

Christopher’s civic priorities—Community Engagement, Economic Development, Education, and Public Safety—align directly with BCCC’s mission to build stronger futures for youth and families. He is an active volunteer, youth sports coach, and connector who works to ensure all voices in his community are heard and valued.

Beyond Cheverly, Christopher’s impact extends across the region. He has served on the Board of Directors for Collaborative Solutions for Communities, a nonprofit supporting marginalized families in Washington, D.C., and on the Boston University Dean’s Advisory Board. Professionally, Christopher brings a wealth of experience from both the private and public sectors—including roles as Account Manager, Management Consultant for the Department of Homeland Security, and Division Chief for Prince George’s County Government.

Currently, Christopher serves as a School and Community Engagement Advocate for Prince George’s County Schools, fostering collaboration among families, community organizations, and agencies to better serve vulnerable populations. He is also an entrepreneur, owning a premier event and branding company that builds platforms for meaningful social impact.

A graduate of Boston University (B.A., Political Science) and American International College (M.A., Public Administration), Christopher is also completing certification through the University of Maryland’s Academy of Excellence in Local Governance. He is a member of Reid Temple A.M.E. Church, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., and a devoted husband and father of three.

As a member of Big Chair Chess Club’s Advisory Board, Christopher brings strategic leadership, policy expertise, and a deep understanding of community needs, helping to guide BCCC’s growth as a vital force for youth empowerment, mentorship, and equity across the region.