Ep 220: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Michael Li on hmTv

Ep. 220: Ordinary Heroes – Michael Li: A Chessboard Against Hate

In this inspiring episode of Ordinary Heroes, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with teenage activist and chess prodigy Michael Li, the powerhouse behind Checkmate Hate. At just 15, Michael has already helped raise thousands for the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center and is using chess as an unlikely—but powerful—tool to fight hate, build empathy, and educate his peers.

From discussing the resilience of Shanghai's Jewish refugees to navigating social media misinformation and the ethics of AI, Michael shares thoughtful insights that defy his age. He credits his parents, his Chinese-American heritage, and a deep love of history and logic for shaping his worldview—and his mission.

Michael’s story proves that leadership doesn’t wait for adulthood. It starts with a pawn, a purpose, and the courage to move forward.

Tune in for a conversation filled with wisdom, hope, and humanity from one of Long Island’s youngest changemakers.

Transcript

Ep. 220: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Michael Li on hmTv, edited for clarity, grammar, and natural conversational flow. Timestamps have been removed and sections are formatted as a smooth and professional transcript.

Ep. 220: Ordinary Heroes with Michael Li
Hosted by Bernie Furshpan – hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC), Glen Cove, NY

Bernie Furshpan:
Welcome to Ordinary Heroes here on hmTv, coming to you from the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center in Glen Cove, Long Island. I’m your host, Bernie Furshpan, and thank you so much for joining us today.

We’ve had some extraordinary guests on this series, and today is no exception. Our guest is a young man who’s already done more in his short life than many people manage in a lifetime. Please welcome Michael Li.

Michael Li:
Thank you for having me, Bernie. It’s my pleasure to be here. I’ve been working with the Center for almost three years now, and I have to say, you’ve been one of the most incredible people I’ve met in my life.

Bernie:
Coming from you, that’s quite a compliment. You’ve been involved with an organization called Chessanity, a nonprofit that organizes chess events around Long Island—often in parks—and supports various charitable causes. Is that right?

Michael:
Yes. Chessanity has been a major part of my life. I first got involved through my coach, Wesley Wang, who co-founded the organization with his brother. We went to the same high school in Jericho. What makes Chessanity unique is its deep commitment to its core mission—spreading a love for chess throughout the local community and using it as a tool for good.

Over the years, I’ve helped donate chess sets and given lectures to under-resourced school districts in NYC and Long Island. It’s all about building something bigger than just a game.

Bernie:
We first worked together three years ago for our “Checkmate Hate” program in September. That event was powerful and impactful—and we’ve done it annually since. How old were you at the time?

Michael:
I was 12.

Bernie:
I remember how eloquent you were during your media interviews. You have a personal mission that really stuck with me—to use chess as a vehicle to fight hate. What other projects have you worked on in that spirit?

Michael:
I’ve been playing chess since I was little. My dad used to play with me, and there’s a funny story—when I first started, I was so young I couldn’t tell the difference between the black and white squares. But from that young age, chess became a personal passion.

Alongside that passion, I developed a mission to make it clear that hate, bigotry, and intolerance have no place in our community. Especially in recent years, with so much chaos from the pandemic, I wanted to contribute something positive and unifying.

Bernie:
You’ve done that beautifully. How do you think your work has impacted young people?

Michael:
One of the biggest impacts has been through personal engagement. Wesley’s father, Winston, personally visits schools, talks to the kids, and encourages them to engage with the game. Chess helps with critical thinking and maturity, which are life skills.

In terms of our broader impact, we’ve raised and donated nearly $3,000 to HMTC over the past two years. It’s been incredibly meaningful to us.

Bernie:
That’s what we call being an upstander. Tell me about your family—how have your parents supported you?

Michael:
My dad has a degree in history. When I was young, after trips to the park or beach, he’d sit with me while I flipped through history books. He always said that history reflects how we grow as people and societies. He gave me space to explore my interests while sharing his love of the past.

My mom, originally an attorney in Shanghai, now runs an art school in Syosset, teaching traditional Chinese brush painting and watercolor. Both my parents encouraged me to find my path and supported me every step of the way.

Bernie:
You mentioned your dad’s love of history—did you ever learn about the Jews who found refuge in Shanghai during WWII?

Michael:
Yes. That’s actually a topic my dad helped me research. During the Holocaust, around 20,000 Jews settled in Shanghai, building vibrant communities. These weren’t just refugees—they formed businesses, cultural centers, and even recreated Viennese-style cafés.

Today, remnants of that era still exist, including the Museum of Jewish History and Culture in Shanghai. It’s a fascinating and under-discussed chapter of history that illustrates human resilience and cross-cultural solidarity.

Bernie:
You have such a brilliant mind, Michael. Let me pose a challenge: What do you think your generation can do to reduce hate and polarization?

Michael:
I think we need to stop thinking of ourselves as too small to make a difference. Every action matters. For me, it’s chess. For others, it could be music, writing, art. We all have talents that can be used to foster empathy and connection.

Instead of seeing our differences as threats, we should celebrate each other’s creativity. Together, we’re much stronger.

Bernie:
That’s beautifully said. Let’s zoom out even more—did you know science has shown we all descend from a common ancestor, “mitochondrial Eve”? Everyone you meet is your 15th to 50th cousin. What if we looked at each other that way?

Michael:
That’s an amazing perspective. It really puts things in focus—why fight over petty differences when we’re all connected? At the end of the day, human connection is what matters. It’s easy to forget that, but sometimes all it takes is a reminder.

Bernie:
Exactly. Astronauts talk about that “overview effect”—seeing Earth from space makes them realize how silly our divisions are. We need that perspective down here. So, what are your goals for the future?

Michael:
Right now, I’m entering my sophomore year of high school. I want to keep growing Checkmate Hate and unite people over a chessboard. Long-term, I hope to become a lawyer. It’s my dream job.

Bernie:
At this rate, you’ll probably be one in three years! (laughs) What kind of lawyer do you want to be?

Michael:
I see lawyers not as combative, but as bridge-builders—people who help others understand each other. That’s what I want to do: connect people, not divide them.

Bernie:
Do you have any siblings?

Michael:
No, I’m an only child. I always wanted siblings, though. I think being an only child made me appreciate the people around me even more. After being away at summer camp, I hugged my parents like I hadn’t seen them in years. It reminded me how much we take loved ones for granted.

Bernie:
Are you on social media?

Michael:
I am, yes.

Bernie:
What do you think about the future of social media, especially considering all the misinformation and hate that spreads there?

Michael:
Social media has positives, but it also exposes us to propaganda and hate. What helped me was early education. In Jericho, we were taught to think critically about what we see online and understand our digital footprint.

That kind of digital literacy is essential. We can’t eliminate hate on social media entirely—but we can teach young people to filter what they consume.

Bernie:
Let’s talk about AI. It’s a powerful tool but also raises ethical concerns—especially when people can’t tell what’s real anymore. What’s your take?

Michael:
AI is helpful, no doubt, but it’s becoming too personified. People treat it like a friend, which is dangerous. We need to remember AI is a tool, not a conscience or a guide. It shouldn’t dictate our ethics. As the lines between digital media and reality blur, we need to stay grounded in critical thinking.

Bernie:
You’ve offered such valuable insights today, Michael. I’ve lived many years, and my concern is always for the next generation. Hearing you speak gives me hope.

Let’s wrap up by talking about the upcoming Checkmate Hate event. It’s the third year in a row, right?

Michael:
Yes, this September, we’ll host our third annual Checkmate Hate event in collaboration with the Center. It’s a tournament, and all registration proceeds are donated to HMTC. We’re expecting a big turnout—hopefully hundreds. You can register at www.hmtcli.org
.

Bernie:
Thank you, Michael, for everything you do. You truly are an extraordinary hero. And thank you all for tuning in to Ordinary Heroes here on hmTv. Check out our other episodes and continue the conversation about humanity, tolerance, and compassion.

I’m Dr. Bernie Furshpan, and today’s guest was the remarkable Michael Li. Until next time—stay kind, stay thoughtful, and remember: humanity matters.