In August 2008, the Bay Area Urban Debate Commission (BAUDC), the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues, and the Oakland Unified School District launched the Bay Area Urban Debate League. Dozens of young people in the public schools of Oakland joined brand new debate teams and – often for the first time in their lives – began taking passionate stands on key issues, rigorously researching evidence, and gaining the tools they need to succeed in college and become leaders in their communities.

In the following years, the BAUDC has partnered with the school districts of San Francisco and Emeryville to found debate teams at five more schools, substantially expanding the program’s reach. Through these partnerships, in the past two years more than 300 students in the Bay Area have participated in debate. Most of them have regularly given up their weekends to argue for hours about policy change, making massive investments of time to sharpen their skills and improve their chances of success at debate tournaments and in their later lives.

Our experience has shown that debate increases students academic performance, enriches and expands their college and career opportunities, and trains them to become active and responsible leaders in their communities. Therefore, the BAUDL works to make competitive policy debate available to all Bay Area high school students.

Along with its school district partners, BAUDL is supported by the efforts of a broad range of community and business leaders. As such, any support you can provide is very much appreciated. Please volunteer or donate.

BAUDL is an affiliate of the National Association for Urban Debate Leagues. To learn more about NAUDL, visit www.urbandebate.org.

Potential partners and supporters, debaters, and more are invited to contact Executive Director Dmitri Seals at or to get in touch by mail or phone:

Address: Phone: Fax:

285 17th Street Oakland, CA 94612 (510) 517-0069 (510) 834-4421

Darin Snyder, Chair OMelveny & Myers, LLP Daniel Plants, Vice Chair Voce Capital Management, LLC Ben Crosson, Treasurer Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati Leah Castella Burke, Williams, & Sorenson, LLP Amber Watkins Yearwood Trial Behavior Consulting

Lexy Green College Preparatory School Kina Lamblin Jill E. Fox Rossi, Hamerslough, Reischl & Chuck Jason Devitt Mr. Number Kahlil Yearwood Dechert, LLP