The National HBCU Speech and Debate Championship
In the 20s and 30s, HBCU speech and debate teams numbered over 100; in 2017, there were five. In 2018, Wiley College hosted the first National HBCU Speech and Debate Championship Tournament. At the inaugural tournament, there were twenty-two schools, with over 500 entries. Schools were assisted in the creation of teams and existing teams were strengthened for the event. Staff coached coaches and coached students to provide them with this opportunity to compete. This tournament was a united effort to help students avail themselves of the skill-building, networks, and opportunities that come from speech and debate competition.
Many individuals and organizations showed their support for the tournament. Among the attendees were Soct Esdaile, a National Board member of the NAACP; Dr. Tomeka Robinson, the first African American President of Pi Kappa Delta, the oldest collegiate speech and debate organization in the country; Joel Anguiano, a National Council member of Pi Kappa Delta; J. Scott Wun, Executive Director of the National Speech and Debate Association; even Denzel Washington attended the awards banquet to support the effort. One of the evenings of competition a dinner was held, in which some of the nation’s most renowned professional poets performed, including a Dr. Javon Johnson, a former competitor, demonstrated to what heights students may aspire.
The future of the tournament is very bright. The National HBCU Speech and Debate Association intentionally focuses on student experience and creating a high profile with celebrities and notable supporters, which increases the visibility, viability, and longevity of the tournament.
