Boston Debate League Students Debate Question 2, Schoolyard News, November 2024
Beyond Debate, PBS Documentary, October 2024
How Competitive Debate Can Improve Public Education, Brookings Institute, December 2023
Teaching Youth about Healthy Conflict, National Governors Association, November 2023
High School Debate Benefits Reading Scores And Soft Skills, New Study Finds, Newsweek Mightier, September 2023
Former Debater Goes From ‘Goofy’ Teacher To Coach To Boston League Manager, Newsweek Mightier, July 2023
Boston Coach Encourages Debate ‘No Matter What Language You Speak’, Newsweek Mightier, June 2023
Imagine Boston area as a therapeutic landscape for young people, Boston Globe, March 2023
An Antidote to the Vitriol in Public Discourse, Boston Globe, March 2023
In 2021, Kim Willingham was named Executive Director – the first woman and first Black leader – of the Boston Debate League. Before being named ED, Kim served as the BDL’s Director of Culture and Engagement and prior to that as an Instructional Coach on the Debate-Inspired Classrooms team. Throughout her 20+ years in education, Kim has held multiple leadership positions. She began her career as a Teach for America Corps Member in the Crescent City – New Orleans, LA – where she taught 6th grade ELA and Social Studies. Kim earned an EdM from Harvard Graduate School of Education and a BS from Eastern Michigan University. Her experience also includes several years in school leadership and education consulting. Originally from the Motor City, she now resides in Dorchester with her two children. In her free time, she enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time in nature. Kim is grateful for the joy she gets to experience daily working with the students, teachers, volunteers, and staff of the BDL community.