Currently, only 2% of low-income NYC public high schools compete on the state and national circuits in Speech & Debate.
Because we know how Speech & Debate can impact kids' lives, that number keeps us up at night and motivates us to work day in and day out. With your help, BDL is changing that number and radically expanding access to this life-changing activity across low-income NYC schools.
This year, Brooklyn Debate League has intensive partnerships with seven low-income public high schools in NYC to build sustainable debate teams from scratch
Support our Back to School campaign to help us offer these students and their coaches more opportunities this year, including more access to national circuit tournaments and high quality judges at our tournaments.
“Thank you for giving me and my friends the opportunity to speak out and to help us understand the greatest resource and weapon, the power of speech.”
“I truly hold a lot of care, love, and respect for the BDL. They gave me something I could love, be passionate about and work hard for. They made debate something that wasn’t just an activity for me but something that changed my life.”
“Through my work at the BDL, I found purpose, time, friendships and belonging, and people. I am proud of my students, our mission, and our success.
Your support keeps us going and we are deeply grateful. I’ve seen my students TRANSFORM through BDL.”