Boston Debate League

What We Believe

All young people in Boston are
ENGAGED in critical discourse
INFORMED by evidence
EMPOWERED to lead

All young people in Boston are ENGAGED in critical discourse INFORMED by evidence EMPOWERED to lead

Mission

Our mission is to integrate argumentation and competitive debate into public schools in Boston to develop critical thinkers ready for college, career, and engagement with the world around them.

Commitment Statement

We offer debate and argumentation programs for young people in Greater Boston, with a commitment to serving students of color and other students who have been denied these educational opportunities. We tailor our programs to address the educational inequities they experience, and strive to create inclusive learning communities where all participants are welcome and supported in achieving the transformative, lifelong benefits of debate.

Values

Power of Young People: We value the unique perspectives and capabilities of young people. Our programs hold students to high expectations and are designed to support students in becoming agents in their own learning, realizing their potential, and leading change in society.
Analytic Discourse: We believe that the skills learned from debate and argumentation are critical to dynamic and effective schools, organizations, and societies. In all our work, we encourage curiosity, examine bias, speak authentically, consider alternative perspectives, and ground discourse in evidence.
Diversity and Inclusion: Diverse voices in positions of power and influence are essential to the health and vibrancy of the BDL. We strengthen our organization and the learning communities we facilitate by championing inclusive and equitable leadership, decision-making, and discourse.
Racial and Social Equity: We recognize that many young people in the communities we serve experience deep, persistent racial and social inequities. We address these fundamental issues of justice and fairness by expanding access to transformative educational opportunities, where young people are able to lead conversations and challenge injustice.
Joy In Learning: We are a learning organization, and we believe joy is a primary motivation for lifelong learning. We provide educational experiences that are fun and encourage openness, collaboration, appreciation, and thirst for further learning.
Kelly Cody, Senior Volunteer Manager, joined BDL in 2021
Joshua Nixon, ASD and Resolved Program Manager, joined BDL in
Douglas Matute
Douglas Matute, Program Manager for Debate en Español, joined BDL in 2022
Ranner Faugas, Assistant Director of After-School Debate, joined BDL in
Roger Nix, Assistant Director of After School Debate, joined BDL in
Carlos Monteiro, Instructional Coach for DI Classrooms, joined BDL in
Sarah Mayper, Senior Instructional Coach for DI Classrooms, joined BDL in
Marisa Suescun, Director of Programs, joined BDL in 2013
Kimberly Bartlett-Ra, Director of Operations, joined BDL in
Kim Willingham, Executive Director of the Boston Debate League , joined BDL in
Jackney Prioly Joseph, Director of External Affairs, joined BDL in September 2020. Jackney leads our efforts to engage and partner with community and corporate organizations to create a community of support for our students. She previously served as Director of College and Career Readiness at the Massachusetts Business Alliance for Education. She has diverse leadership experience in education, nonprofits, and city government where she served under Mayor Thomas M. Menino and former City Councilor, now Congresswoman, Ayanna Pressley. A Bryn Mawr and Posse Foundation alum identified for her extraordinary leadership, Jackney works to secure partnerships that will tap and sharpen the leadership skills of our program participants.