MLK FORENSICS SOCIETY
NATIONAL DEBATE TOURNAMENT TEAM

Overview of the Howard University Debate Program

Dating back to at least 1913 and arguably representing the oldest intercollegiate activity on Howard University’s campus, the debate team entered a highly active period from the 1960’s through the 1980’s, then entered a dormant period in the ‘90’s. During the fall semester of the 2003/04 academic year, the John H. Johnson School of Communications created The National High School Forensics Academy & Tournament (NHSFAT) and laid the groundwork for the re-establishment of Howard University’s intercollegiate policy debate program. NHSFAT was a first – for Howard, and indeed for any other Historically Black College or University.

On July 1, 2004, forty-nine high school students, grades 10 through 12, arrived from 12 States across the U.S to begin NHSFATs intensive ten-day policy debate “academic boot-camp and pre-season tournament” on Howard University’s main campus. Of the 49 students, 33 had prior debate experience, some with national, regional and statewide honors, including 8th Place at the 2004 National Forensic League Nationals, a Chicago City Champion, a New Jersey State Champion, a 9th Place Speaker at Eastern UDL Regional Finals and two Rhode Islands State Champions. As a direct result of their experience in the 2004 Summer Program, a “bumper crop” of national caliber debaters now seek to enroll at Howard in 2005/06. The connection between NHSFAT and Howard’s intercollegiate debate program is now undeniable – the Academy functions, in part, as a remarkable recruitment tool for Howard University and its debate program by attracting the most engaged and talented thinkers and communicators in high schools across the country.

Following the success of the 2004 Summer Program, Attorney John W. Davis, II, an Adjunct Professor of Communications Law and NHSFAT’s founder, agreed to return as head coach for Howard’s debate team. Since August 2004, Coach Davis recruited a group of 20 highly motivated undergraduates, all pre-law majors, and has put together a competitive team that has already achieved the following successes:

• 2nd Place win during the United Nations Week debates;
• Appearance on the TV Talk Show “Making a Difference” – Channel 10
• Exhibition Debate for the Annenberg Honors Students on Kerry v. Bush regarding environmental issues;
• A feature article in the Christian Science Monitor (10/19/04)
• Introduction at the National Visionary Leadership Awards Celebration by co-founders Camille Cosby and Rene’ Poussaint.
• Panelists during the 2nd Annual conference for the Alliance for Excellent Education regarding debate as a proven tool for urban education reform.
• An Exhibition Debate at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Speed Limit Reform.
• Collaboration with Georgetown University’s debate team
• A 5th and two 6th Place Speaker Awards at the Appalachian State University Mountain Forensics Tournament.

(Rear) Sean Ward, Kaleah Merriweather, Melanie Igwe, Daniel Frankson, Jasmine Fletcher, Dominique Scott, Ebone’ Richardson,
Ashley Shambley, (front row) Asst. Coach Ron Allen, Ida Plumboy, Patricia Roberts, Brittany Coleman, D’Andre Fernandez,
Tarrah Page, Twanna Hill, Chris Randle, Brandon Wallace, Lemuel Thomas and Head Coach John W. Davis, II, JD