NPDL recently worked in partnership with the American Debate Association, the American Forensic Association, and Boston College’s Fulton Debating Society to stage our first public debate event at the National Communication Association’s 109th Annual Convention. We proudly forwarded a co-ed team of formerly incarcerated students from 3 different states to make the case for prison voting rights against a joint team of collegiate debaters from the US Naval Academy, the University of Miami, Towson University, and the University of Mary Washington. Aptly, we all met down by the Potomac River in National Harbor, Maryland to refresh the conceptual framework of American polity.

NPDL’s 1st Community Team consisted of Brittany LaMarr from Connecticut, Brandon Brown and Chandler Dugal from Maine, along with Daniel Throop and George Vicente from Massachusetts. John Katsulas, Director of Debate at Boston College, served as our coach and an event organizer. This marked the debate debuts for Brittany and Brandon. Chandler was an NPDL team captain for two winning squads in Maine, and George helped us relaunch the legendary Norfolk Debating Society of Malcolm X in 2016.

The talented collective of collegiate debaters who graciously agreed to join us for this important examination of US voting policy cannot be credited enough for caring to engage with us in such a powerful dialogue on the issues associated with voter disenfranchisement in America. My teammates and I appreciate the special exchanges of social diplomacy we get to create through every NPDL event. So we salute our new friends and future community leaders: Trevin Walker of Towson University, Lance Hungar of the University of Mary Washington, Leah Castaneda of the University of Miami, and both Armen Rea and Truman Connor of the US Naval Academy. This formidable group was well-coached by Danielle Verney of the US Naval Academy and it was an honor to share the stage with such bright young minds.

The debate was judged by a distinguished 5-person panel consisting of: Joe Gantt-Director of Forensics at Lewis & Clark College and Vice-President of the AFA, David Cram Helwich-Director of Forensics at the University of Minnesota and ADA Executive Committee Member, Ed Lee III-Senior Director of Inclusivity at Emory University, Mikaela Malsin-Director of Debate at Emory University and Vice-President of the ADA, and Ed Panetta-Emeritus Director of Debate at the University of Georgia. Patrick Waldinger, President of the ADA and University of Miami Debate Coach, served as the debate moderator and Adrienne Brovero, Associate Director of Debate at the University of Kentucky and ADA Executive Committee Member, also helped to facilitate the event.

As for the results, let’s just say that on the collegiate debate circuit system-impacted people are receiving much more favorable outcomes than during previous interactions with judges in other arenas. We are thrilled to share our unanimous victory with system-impacted people everywhere. Your voices do matter and the National Prison Debate League will continue to decarcerate minds by elevating the conversation. If you missed the debate livestream, you can watch the video recording here: NPDL-NCA Debate Video.