Who?

Our team consists of high school volunteers. All volunteers are high school debate captains and senior members of established debate programs in Charlotte. They are qualified to teach debate skills through their performances and awards from national debate tournaments.

Two women standing in front of a whiteboard with the handwritten title 'How to Set Up a Social Wall' and listed steps, engaging in a discussion.
Four young women sitting at a table in a classroom or conference room, engaging in a discussion or listening to a presentation.

HOw?

Our team of volunteers holds biweekly meetings with the kids in these facilities. In these sessions, we cover the fundamentals of public speaking through interactive exercises and by watching example speeches. As time progresses, we dive deeper into the structure and strategies of Public Forum debate. After multiple sessions, the students will have the opportunity to compete against other teams in online tournaments sanctioned by the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA). Examples of these tournaments include the University of Kentucky Season Opener, the Stanford Invitational, and the Yale Invitational.

Why?

Many of the kids in these facilities are expected to re-enter the world and build successful futures, but they’re not always given the same opportunities as their peers on the outside. That’s not fair. Programs like debate, which help develop communication, critical thinking, and advocacy skills, are common in many schools and communities. But for these kids, those opportunities are often out of reach.

Our program aims to help close that gap. By offering access to debate training and competition, we provide students with the opportunity to develop the skills, confidence, and mindset necessary to thrive, not just within the facility but in the real world. Everyone deserves that chance.

 FAQs

  • Debate offers a uniquely powerful set of benefits for young students—both academically and personally. Studies show that debaters experience an average GPA increase of 0.81 points over the course of high school, compared to just 0.1 for non-debaters. They also tend to score higher on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. The impact is even more pronounced among high-risk students: 72% of high-risk debaters graduate high school, while only 43% of high-risk non-debaters do. Beyond high school, debaters are more likely to attend competitive colleges—and to thrive once they get there.

  • Our program is tailored for youth ages 11 to 18. We adjust our approach depending on participants’ ages and experience levels.

  • Participants will gain a wide range of valuable, research-backed skills that extend far beyond the debate round. Studies show that debate significantly improves critical thinking, public speaking, and persuasive writing abilities. It also strengthens research, data analysis, and presentation skills—tools essential for academic and professional success.

    But even beyond academics, debate cultivates empathy, cultural awareness, and the ability to understand and respect diverse perspectives. Research also shows it helps lower vocal aggressiveness and encourages respectful, structured dialogue. Perhaps most importantly, debate empowers students with a strong sense of agency, autonomy, and constructive self-expression—skills proven to support long-term confidence and success.

  • Not at all! We start with the basics of public speaking and gradually introduce debate concepts. Everyone can learn at their own pace.

  • Public Forum is a team-based debate format where pairs of students argue both sides of a topic (e.g., policy or social issue). Each month, the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) releases an official topic, and that’s what our teams prepare for. This style of debate focuses on clear communication, logical reasoning, and persuasive argumentation.

  • We welcome volunteers, mentors, and sponsors! Reach out to us at info.jdebate@gmail.com for more information.