From Bishop Mora Salesian High School

Salesian High School Welcomes Back, Damen Fletcher ‘97! Damen attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, one of our nation’s oldest and most prestigious HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities). 

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Damen reflected upon his life and realized that his life changed for the better when he learned and immersed himself in the game of chess. He soon left his acting career behind to create Train of Thought, a non-profit organization that teaches the game of chess to young people.

Almost twenty years later, Train of Thought has served nearly 100,000 students in hundreds of elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the country. Train of Thought helps kids “see their potential for greatness, instills in them the resilience to overcome any challenges, obstacles, or opposition they might encounter, and helps them see the role they play in creating their future self.”  His work has been recognized by CBS National News, magazines, chess organizations, and dozens of school districts.

Damen’s life work mirrors St. John Bosco’s dedication to accompanying young people as they develop their gifts and talents and pursue their dreams. The Salesian community is proud of his accomplishments and thrilled to have him back at Salesian today to inspire a new generation of Mustangs.