D.C. Community Grants Initiative

The DC Urban Debate League (DCUDL), founded in 2002 with funding from OSI's Debate Program, brings the benefits of debate to the underserved youth of the DC public school system. Since its inception, the organization has involved more than 2000 students and their teachers in debate programming that would not otherwise be available to them. 

The mission of the DCUDL is to develop the reading, writing, and speaking skills of young people through intellectual competition so that they can become confident, articulate citizens and community leaders.  The students involved in DCUDL's competitive tournaments learn research, critical thinking and oral presentation skills that are crucial to their success.

Through its classroom support component, the organization is able to reach even more students who may not be inclined to participate in a competitive debate program. 

In 2008, the DC Community Grants Initiative awarded DCUDL with a general support grant to help support the organization as it expands its programs in DC as well as into Prince George's county. 

1 Year |  www.dcdebate.org