Denise Fletcher August 18, 2026

Exploring Life & Business with Denise Fletcher of Train of Thought

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Denise Fletcher.

Denise, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Train of Thought was founded 19 years ago by my husband, Damen Fletcher, and myself, Denise Fletcher, rooted in our shared passion for chess and its transformative potential. Growing up in Compton, Damen faced significant challenges, while I was immersed in the mental health field, utilizing chess as a therapeutic tool to help clients develop social-emotional skills.

Our journey began with foster youth under my mother-in-law’s care, where we witnessed firsthand how chess positively impacted their behaviors and lives. This experience led Damen to secure a contract to teach chess at his former elementary school, and as demand grew, we expanded our services, ultimately needing to hire staff.

In 2019, after I transitioned from my role as a youth development director, we officially became a team of three executives with the addition of our business partner, Niombi Harris. Together, we committed to empowering children in Black and brown communities through chess education and mentorship.

Today, Train of Thought is a nonprofit organization that has positively impacted over 75,000 students across more than 150 schools in the Los Angeles area. We partner with schools, libraries, and community organizations to enhance critical thinking, emotional regulation, and decision-making skills, all within a supportive environment. Our dedicated coaches serve as mentors, helping youth build confidence, leadership skills, and lasting relationships that foster long-term success.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey of establishing our chess business, Train of Thought, has indeed had its challenges. Initially, we faced skepticism from some who viewed chess merely as a game, rather than a valuable tool for developing critical life skills. Building trust with school leaders was essential to demonstrate the educational benefits of chess for their students.

Additionally, the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic forced us to pivot our program online, and subsequent shifts in school schedules limited our ability to offer lessons during the school day—our most effective time for reaching students. While other countries successfully integrate chess into their curricula, we continue to strive for that same recognition here.

Despite these hurdles, we remain grateful for the opportunity to adapt and make a meaningful impact on our students and school administrators.

As you know, we’re big fans of Train of Thought. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Train of Thought is dedicated to enriching youth through structured chess programming and mentorship, offering a unique blend of cognitive skill development and life lessons. Our organization specializes in transforming the game of chess into a powerful educational tool that fosters critical thinking, decision-making, and personal growth.

What sets us apart is our holistic approach to chess education, where we integrate lessons in discipline, perseverance, and leadership into each session. Our trained coaches not only teach chess strategies but also emphasize the importance of our 12 core values: Confidence, Courage, Discipline, Perseverance, Leadership, Integrity, Respect, Creativity, Vision, Humility, Compassion, and Patience. This comprehensive curriculum caters to diverse learning styles, ensuring an engaging and inclusive experience for all participants.

We take pride in our community-oriented initiatives, including youth chess tournaments and family chess nights, which promote sportsmanship and strengthen relationships among youth, families, and mentors. Our mission is to deliver the benefits of chess to every school and student, every day, while creating a joyful learning environment.

Ultimately, we want our readers to know that Train of Thought is more than just a chess program; it is a pathway for youth to navigate the complexities of life with confidence and creativity. Through our offerings, we aim to empower students to apply the problem-solving and leadership principles learned from chess to their everyday challenges.

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Absolutely! Here are some key pieces of advice for those just starting their business:

1. Love What You Do: Passion fuels perseverance. When you genuinely enjoy your work, it becomes easier to overcome challenges.

2.Be Adaptable: The business landscape is constantly evolving. Stay flexible and open to change to navigate obstacles effectively.

3. Network: Build meaningful relationships within your industry. Networking can open doors to opportunities and valuable collaborations.

4. Know Your Worth: Don’t undervalue your skills and offerings. Set fair prices that reflect the quality and effort you put into your work.

5. Stay True to Yourself: Authenticity resonates with customers. Maintain your values and vision, as they are crucial to building a loyal brand.

6. Have Fun: Enjoying the journey is important. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and remember to enjoy the process.

These insights can help pave the way for a fulfilling and successful entrepreneurial journey.

Contact Info:

Website: https://www.chesstrain.org/
Instagram: @trainofthought.us
Facebook: Train of Thought
Other: https://linktr.ee/trainofthought.us?fbclid=IwVERDUATm7-FwZG9mAWZkaWQWUMPa0CoUAS6FqA-_YY82AeC4jB_lAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR630exFq4GZhJhAr04EAczhsw3hneMpcnNEK2sxPYAxMJNOD2CpE1baFUOn1Q_aem_0qVGqzEeVC-DRYfixaE4bg

Classroom with students sitting on the floor, raising hands, and a teacher at the front near colorful bulletin boards.

Group of children in green shirts hugging and smiling around an adult in a classroom with colorful decorations and a welcome sign.

Group of children in yellow shirts holding trophies and medals in a gymnasium, smiling and celebrating.

Group of children in yellow shirts holding trophies in a gymnasium, celebrating victory.

Two groups of children playing chess at tables in a room with flags on the wall, backpacks on the floor, and chairs around the tables.

Children in yellow shirts playing chess at a long table outdoors under a canopy, with trees and people in the background.

Woman with dreadlocks and sunglasses playing chess outdoors with a young boy wearing a face mask, other people in background.

Group of people walking across a large outdoor chessboard with oversized chess pieces, in a sunny open area.

Two children playing chess at a table in a classroom, with a teacher observing nearby, blue chairs around the table.

Two girls playing chess outdoors at a table, with other people and tables in the background.

Smiling woman with curly hair wearing a green shirt pointing to the text, against a black background.

Black king chess piece on a green and white chessboard, with other pieces visible in the background.

People playing chess outdoors at tables, with onlookers and city background, some wearing hats and sunglasses.

Children in green shirts sit on a colorful carpet in a library, raising hands while a man reads aloud. Bookshelves and a chessboard are visible.

Children playing chess at a yellow table, wearing green shirts, in a room with a gray wall.

Group of children playing chess outdoors at tables, with playground equipment in the background.

Person wearing sunglasses and a sweater, sitting at a table with chess pieces, outdoors on a sunny day.

Young person with braided hair playing chess outdoors, focused on the game, with a blurred background.

Five people standing indoors, holding trophies, with a window and blinds behind them, and a small table on the right.

People seated at tables in a large room, possibly playing chess, with trophies on a table to the left.

Awards table with trophies and balloons in a school gymnasium, with a woman walking nearby and a stage in the background.

Children in yellow shirts playing chess under a large tent, with tables and chairs outside, trees and buildings in background.

Children playing chess at a table, some wearing yellow shirts, in a school gymnasium with a brick wall background.

Two women standing indoors, one holding a trophy, with trophies on a table behind them, and a graduation sign in the background.

Woman awards medal to a young person in a yellow shirt, indoors with ceiling lights visible.

Group of six people in yellow shirts holding trophies, celebrating graduation indoors, smiling and posing for the photo.

Woman and boy smiling, woman placing hand on boy's shoulder, trophies in background, both wearing yellow shirts, indoor setting.

Girl with braided hair and headphones playing chess with others in a classroom, all wearing yellow shirts.

Children in yellow shirts playing chess at a tournament, seated at tables with numbered signs, water bottles nearby.

Image Credits
Skyra
Instagram: @skyraofearth

Suggest a Story: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.