Update: Connected with this event, BAUDL director Blake Johnson joined Jael Myrick, director of STRONG, and two of BAUDL’s brightest stars, Kayla Wheatfall and Natassija Jordan, on KPFA. You can hear them here. Fast forward to 3:00 to skip straight to the action.

On Thursday, February 26th at 7:00pm, the Bay Area Urban Debate League (BAUDL) and Standing To Represent Our Next Generation (STRONG) will host the first public debate event in the Strength In Debate Series, featuring the most talented orators in Oakland high schools, at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church in downtown Oakland. BAUDL students have been hard at work all year honing their debating skills, researching the most important political and social issues facing their generation, and developing the power of their words to make positive changes in their communities.

The purpose of the Strength in Debate Series is to showcase the exceptional talent of these students and to reward their dedication and commitment to argument and advocacy. Eight Oakland high school students will face off to debate about engaging and controversial issues and to propose solutions to such important problems as global warming and urban decay. The evening promises to be both exciting and informative — these young people have a lot to tell us about urgent matters and they are more than ready to speak their minds. No matter how the arguments play out, all of these students are winners and deserve to be recognized and celebrated! So please, bring your friends and family and come witness the brilliance and devotion of tomorrow’s leaders as they square off against each other in a stimulating collision of intellect.

The event will take place at St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church at 525 29th St, Oakland, CA 94609.