In celebration of Black History Month, Zenith Wealth Partners spoke with leaders from the Boston Debate League (BDL) to discuss how they are confronting the challenges of the racial wealth gap in Greater Boston. The racial wealth gap continues to impact communities of color, particularly students from low-income households, limiting their access to educational and economic opportunities.
Through transformative programs that integrate debate-inspired learning, the BDL is fostering critical thinking, student agency, and leadership while actively working to dismantle systemic barriers. In this interview, we explore how the organization is empowering young people, advocating for social justice, and creating pathways to greater equity in education and beyond.
How do you see the racial wealth gap impacting the communities you serve, and what challenges do you face in addressing it?
“The racial wealth gap deeply affects the communities we serve, particularly students of color from low-income households across Greater Boston. Many young people and their families face persistent racial and social inequities, including systemic barriers to educational and economic opportunities. As an example, a 2015 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston found that the median net worth for white households in Greater Boston was $250,000, while for non-immigrant Black households, it was just $8. Further exacerbating these inequities, urban school districts are often less resourced when it comes to academic enrichment programs such as debate. Policy debate has a long history, but primarily as an activity for upper-class, white, high-achieving young men.
The BDL is one of about only 20 urban debate leagues (UDLs) across the country, largely serving students of color from lower-income households. UDLs exist to make competitive policy debate accessible to students in urban public schools. We are driven by the conviction that all young people can find success in debate, not just those who are already high-achieving. We address the fundamental tenets of justice and equity by expanding access to transformative debate-inspired learning experiences.”
Can you highlight a project your organization leads that is driving significant impact?
“The Boston Debate League prepares young people for college, career, and engagement with the world through debate-inspired learning in the classroom and beyond. The League operates three core programs — After-School Policy Debate, (through which school-based debate teams participate in weekly practices and monthly city-wide tournaments supported by nearly 600 community volunteers annually), Debate-Inspired Classrooms (through which BDL trains and coaches teachers on creating vibrant learning communities infused with the elements that make debate a powerful vehicle for learning), and Resolved (which brings together cohorts of Black and Latino young men, using the core elements and skills of policy debate, mentorship, and affinity-based community building to explore their identities, reflect on their future plans, and evaluate and form arguments or advocacy about issues in their communities. Each program centers student voice; fosters rigorous engagement as well as student agency and leadership; and values young people’s perspectives.
Research and data overwhelmingly illustrate that debate-inspired learning benefits students and helps to prepare them for future academic and career pursuits. A 2024 research study (Critical Practice Makes Perfect: Classroom Observations of Debate-Inspired Classrooms) conducted by Michael A. Medina, Soe Young Lee, and Kyle Broadnax – all researchers of color – at Boston University’s CERES Institute and Jonathan Zaff of Northeastern University, found that BDL’s Debate-Inspired Classrooms and Resolved programs promote equity and lead to more productive and inclusive educational spaces. They documented substantial impacts on both educators and students.
A 2023 study (Interscholastic Policy Debate Promotes Critical Thinking and College-going: Evidence From Boston Public Schools) conducted by Beth Schueler from the University of Virginia and Katherine Larned from Harvard University, associates student participation in BDL’s After School Debate program with improvements in English Language Arts achievement and increases in the likelihood that students graduate from high school and enroll in postsecondary education.
What these studies highlight is that BDL’s programs foster inclusion, student ownership of their learning, and increased student engagement, voice, and discourse. Students are developing transformative skills – critical thinking, evidence-based argumentation, and self-efficacy. This work serves to increase students’ chances of success in an increasingly competitive global economy.”
How do you ensure your work stays aligned with the values of equity, inclusion, and justice, particularly when faced with systemic challenges?
“Our decisions about where to invest our time, resources, and energy – and where not to – are informed by the BDL community and are rooted in our equity statement and the following organizational values:
Power of Young People: We value the unique perspectives and capabilities of young people. Our programs hold students to high expectations and are designed to support students in becoming agents in their own learning, realizing their potential, and leading change in society.
Analytic Discourse: We believe that the skills learned from debate and argumentation are critical to dynamic and effective schools, organizations, and societies. In all our work, we encourage curiosity, examine bias, speak authentically, consider alternative perspectives, and ground discourse in evidence.
Diversity and Inclusion: Diverse voices in positions of power and influence are essential to the health and vibrancy of the BDL. We strengthen our organization and the learning communities we facilitate by championing inclusive and equitable leadership, decision-making, and discourse.
Racial and Social Equity: We recognize that many young people in the communities we serve experience deep, persistent racial and social inequities. We address these fundamental issues of justice and fairness by expanding access to transformative educational opportunities, where young people are able to lead conversations and challenge injustice.
Joy In Learning: We are a learning organization, and we believe joy is a primary motivation for lifelong learning. We provide educational experiences that are fun and encourage openness, collaboration, appreciation, and thirst for further learning.“
What motivates you to push through the challenges you encounter in your work?
“The entire BDL team is passionate about our mission and our vision. We are driven by our values and our belief in young people. We also understand that what we do has always been important, but never more so than today. On the heels of a global pandemic that left so many of us feeling isolated and disconnected, we are bringing together debaters, educators, and volunteers in vibrant learning communities where young people can connect with one another, recognizing each other’s humanity even when they disagree—a lesson that extends far beyond the debate space.
In a time of deepening political divides and efforts to silence marginalized voices, it’s crucial that young people find and use their voices powerfully. We’re developing leaders who are critical thinkers with the skills to analyze diverse perspectives, engage in evidence-based civil discourse, and eschew the polarization and vitriol often seen in the media. Engaging young people in high-level critical discourse is not just an academic endeavor; it’s a social justice imperative that can transform lives, communities, and the world.”
What are your hopes for racial wealth equity, and how do you believe the nonprofit sector should evolve to meet these needs?
“Our hope for racial wealth equity is that all young people, regardless of their background, will have access to programs like ours that will help them thrive academically, professionally, and civically. Our vision is that all young people in Boston are engaged in critical discourse, informed by evidence, and empowered to lead. Undoubtedly, some of the young people we work with will go on to challenge and work toward dismantling systemic inequities.
Programs like those offered by BDL and nonprofit organizations across the country are essential. The nonprofit sector will continue to evolve, expanding access to transformative learning experiences and needed services, promoting civic engagement, and driving meaningful change toward equity. Nonprofits will continue to use their platforms to engage in advocacy around public policy. Certainly, we’ve witnessed organizations holding lawmakers accountable and mobilizing communities to vote. Nonprofits will continue partnering and collaborating, which we’ve been doing with other youth-serving organizations here in Boston, to deepen our impact. This might be an especially effective strategy – pooling resources – in uncertain times as we potentially face shifts in giving trends due to changes in funding priorities, the economy, and tax policies. Nonprofits are especially called in this moment to advance equity and inclusion and address disparities made more apparent in this political climate. Organizations that provide direct services to communities on any number of issues, from mental health support to housing or food insecurity to immigration, may find themselves being even more responsive to the communities they serve. The role of the nonprofit is critical in supporting, protecting, and uplifting our most vulnerable communities and ensuring that the values of equity, justice, and opportunity continue to thrive even in the face of uncertainty. Together, we are stronger.“
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