Umoja Debate League

Mission: To help Detroit youth, ages 11-18, by using debate to teach essential life skills such as critical thinking, self-expression, confidence, and conflict resolution, while amplifying their voices and preparing them for future leadership roles!

Recognizing the importance of debate in critical thinking, confidence, and self-expression, Umoja Debate League was created to help young people with tools for personal and academic growth. Umoja Debate League includes students in the Detroit area, offering after-school programs, summer camps, and mentorship to help them with leadership, communication, and public speaking skills.

The organization has opportunities for youth, particularly in under-resourced communities, by using debate as a vehicle for empowerment. By providing for youth to learn and compete, Umoja Debate League helps students build a foundation for future academic and career success. In addition, the organization strives to create a pipeline to the legal profession, offering mentorship and shadowing opportunities to guide students towards careers in law.

Umoja Debate League has a belief that debate can transform communities, and it works to spark positive change through its focus on youth development, leadership, and community engagement.

Umoja Debate League fulfills its mission by providing Detroit youth with opportunities to develop important life skills through competitive debate. The organization runs several key programs to help students build critical thinking, communication, self-expression, and confidence:

• After-School Program
• Summer Camp
• Umoja Village
• Pipeline to Lawyers Program

By providing these programs, Umoja Debate League helps students build a strong foundation in debate while also offering practical experiences that prepare them for success in school, career, and life.