Institutions investing in Charlotte's students.
Our supporters and sponsors include Ally Bank, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, and Alight Solutions. Their support helps put coaching, materials, and competition within reach of students at Title I schools across the Charlotte area.
CUDL received an Economic Opportunity Grant in support of its work expanding access to speech and debate for students at Title I schools.
Why institutions support this work
Charlotte's business community has spent a decade on economic mobility, since the 2014 study that ranked the city last among large U.S. metros for the chances of a low-income child rising up the income ladder. The 2024 update showed Charlotte climbing to 38th, with more distance to cover.
Debate is a direct investment in that agenda. It builds the reading, reasoning, and communication skills that employers in banking, technology, and professional services hire for, and the research on urban debate leagues links participation to higher graduation rates and college enrollment. A sponsor who funds a tournament is funding the exact skills the region's employers say they need, in the schools where those skills are least available.
The research behind the modelWhat partnership makes possible
- Tournament entry and judging for schools that could not otherwise compete
- In-person coaching at partner schools
- Transportation so distance is never the reason a student stays home
- Preparation materials, topic briefs, and curriculum for coaches
- Expansion to more Title I schools across the metro
Partnerships can be shaped around a company's priorities: a named tournament, a school cluster, a volunteer judging day, or general support for the league.
What support makes possible
Every photo is a room a sponsor helped open.
Employees can help too.
Corporate volunteers make excellent tournament judges and mentors, and we train every volunteer before their first round.