Amid fierce competition from some of the brightest minds at historically Black colleges and universities, the Spelman College Speech and Debate Team made an impressive showing at the HBCU National Speech and Debate Championship in Washington, D.C., from February 27 to March 4, securing multiple top awards and leaving an undeniable mark on the tournament. Among their notable achievements were 1st place wins in Parliamentary Debate, Slam Poetry and Extemporaneous Speaking. Howard University secured the overall championship title.
Official competition results can be found here.
Laila R. Johnson and Jocelyn Baker, both C'2027, claimed first place in the Parliamentary Debate category, while Winter Jones, C'2025, won first place in Slam Poetry; and Ryley Anthony, C'2027, took home first place in Extemporaneous Speaking. The team’s success didn’t stop there — Spelman placed fourth in the Overall Debate Sweepstakes and experienced success across several categories with 12 Spelman competitors in attendance.
Parliamentary Debate
1st place: Jocelyn Baker and Laila R. Johnson
Slam Poetry
1st Place: Winter Jones
4th Place: Bryanna Hightower
Extemporaneous Speaking
1st Place: Ryley Anthony
5th Place: Laila R. Johnson
6th Place: Anaya Northern
Informative Speaking
3rd Place: Ryley Anthony
Poetry Interpretation
5th Place: Shelah Boyd
After Dinner Speaking
6th Place: Anaya Northern
Correction: We acknowledge that a mistake was made in the previously published article. The error was unintentional, and we apologize for any confusion it may have caused. The story has been updated to reflect accurate information. We appreciate your understanding and are committed to providing reliable content.
The Art of Leadership and Preparation
The preparation for the HBCU Nationals began long before the Spelman College Speech and Debate Team (SCSD) set foot on Howard University’s campus. Baker, the 2024-2025 president, and Johnson, the 2024-2025 debate captain, led the team with unwavering dedication. Both students invested countless hours ensuring that each team member was emotionally and intellectually prepared to perform authentically in the competitive arena. For Baker and Johnson, psychological preparation was about more than just winning — it was about supporting their Spelman sisters and reinforcing what SCSD prioritizes: the art and upliftment of Black womanhood.
Baker reflected on her leadership, telling “The Blueprint,” Spelman’s student newspaper, “I see leading as support. One of the most beautiful parts of our space is that we don’t equate success to victory or first-place wins. For us, success is simply showing our art in advocacy. Having the strength and confidence to perform and stand by our beliefs in every speech or debate — that was leading.”
Johnson, too, emphasized the importance of centering Black womanhood. “As debate captain, it was really important for preparation to not only focus on debating resolutions but also bridge that with complex Black intellectual research. My priority is ensuring this space always uplifts Black womanhood. That was apparent throughout our art and throughout the entire competition.”
The team also worked hard preparing mentally and emotionally at other tournaments, throughout the year.
“We prepared through practice, showcases, and competitions. As we entered Spelman College Speech and Debate’s centennial year, we honored our legacy through research and art, exploring the Spelman and AUC archives that revealed team alumni like Alice Walker, Marian Wright Edelman, and Ruby Doris Smith Robinson,” said Johnson. “Throughout the season, we competed in various tournaments, both virtual and in-person. Highlights include advocating for Black women experiencing homelessness at the Morehouse College social justice debates and winning first place at Vanderbilt University’s Global Free Speech Dialogues Competition.”
The tournament featured the International Public Debate Association (IPDA) debate style, the National Parliamentary Debate Association (NPDA) debate style, and ten of the American Forensics Association Individual events. To solidify their success, the team of 12 competitors focused on advice from their coaches and strong foundational values.
“Our volunteer coaches, Robert Brown of Morehouse C'96, and Teri Thompson, C'87, always tell us that ‘competing is winning,” said Johnson, C’2027. “As our team is one that always centers on Black womanhood and Black scholarship, it was our goal to ensure that we did not equate our worth to trophies but rather took this opportunity to authentically share our art. In debate specifically, we always say do not sacrifice your values for the sake of ‘winning an argument.”
The Power of Storytelling and Expression
Freshman speech competitors Anaya Northern, Bryanna Hightower, and Shelah Boyd reflected on the transformative power of storytelling through public speaking at HBCU Nationals. The competition served as a platform for them to grow not only as public speakers but also as young women, liberated by what they had to say rather than how others received it. “I’ve learned that it’s more important to put out your best work and be proud of it, rather than focusing on the score or ranking,” said Northern in “The Blueprint.” “I take pride in my piece ‘Procrastination’ because it captures the anxiety of procrastination and its impact on self-worth and achievement,” added Hightower.
“Feminism has historically overlooked Black women, and I explored this in my piece, staying true to myself and giving my all,” said Boyd.
Building Debate Partnerships and Lasting Bonds
Debate partners Aislynn Brew and Sophia Wade worked diligently to understand each other’s research techniques and speaking styles, ensuring they could effectively build and defend their arguments.
“It definitely helps when you have a partner who you feel is on the same wavelength. Aislynn and I came into this trying to figure out our dynamic. The way we feed off each other in the debate is by sharing resources and making sure we’re on the same page regarding the resolution,” said Wade in “The Blueprint.”
Outside the competition, SCSD connected as Spelman sisters and friends, not just teammates. For Makayla Rivera and Kafi Rosenbaum, their fondest memories were formed on the van rides, where they grew closer and shared their experiences.
“On the van ride home, we were all reflecting on our experiences. We got pretty intimate and emotional about the community we built here full of positive energy and unconditional support,” said Rivera.
“This is the first time I have been on a team where I felt so connected with others. It was beautiful to witness others showing up to my performances and hyping me up. I feel so seen and heard in this space,” said Rosenbaum.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Speech and Debate team recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Founded as the Wheatley Fauset Literacy Society in October 1924, the team is the second student organization established on Spelman’s campus. Notable alumnae include novelist Alice Walker; founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman; and Ruby Doris Smith Robinson, executive director of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee. Since its founding, the team has been committed to uplifting Black women's literature and activism. The team experienced a resurgence in 2017 when a group of Spelmanites reestablished it, growing the organization from three members to 30 this year.
The growth of the Speech and Debate Team over the past few years speaks volumes about the young women who have poured intellectual resources, emotional support, time, and effort into achieving success. Jones has witnessed firsthand how far the team has come and is beyond proud to be a part of such a unique and powerful legacy.
“My biggest takeaway from this weekend was watching the team grow. When I first competed at HBCU Nats, it was just me and two other team members. So to go with a team of 12 and bring home so many awards meant everything to me. I know this legacy will continue to grow and blossom as we put out our art and let it speak for itself,” said Jones.
Full 2024-2025 Speech and Debate Team Roster
Special thanks to Ryley Anthony, Spelman College Blueprint Staff Writer, for her article "Redefining Success: SCSD’s Historic Achievement at the 2025 HBCU Nationals," which heavily supported the development of this story.