Since 2005, AmeriCorps members have served with Impact Alabama’s SpeakFirst initiative, an all-star debate team for gifted students from Birmingham-area schools. Thanks to the support of AmeriCorps, SpeakFirst students have participated in more than 670 debate practices, competed in more than 75 tournaments, and won approximately one-half of their debate rounds.

SpeakFirst: An Alabama Student Debate Initiative enriches the academic experience of gifted students from Birmingham’s public high schools through participation in an “all-star” debate team. This highly collaborative initiative addresses a wide array of needs created by the deficit of opportunities and resources in their local communities. SpeakFirst’s first six graduating classes (twenty-six students) have earned more than $3.3 million in college scholarships. SpeakFirst has also established incredible partnerships with three local universities which have committed to providing, in perpetuity, full, four-year academic scholarships, including tuition and fees, to Birmingham school students who complete at least three years of SpeakFirst.

Current educational opportunities for many of Alabama’s gifted children are compromised by a poorly funded public school system and lack of educational choices outside of the classroom, which subsequently limits academic performance and achievement. As is the case in many urban centers across the nation, the consequences of limited learning opportunities for Birmingham’s most promising students can be devastating. Unless their educational experience is one that includes schools with extensive resources and a wide array of opportunities for extracurricular learning, their social and academic needs will not be fulfilled.

Debate serves as a starting point for developing a stronger overall academic skill set as well as confidence and social dexterity. In addition to cultivating research and debate techniques, the SpeakFirst model engages students in standardized test preparation. Throughout the year, SpeakFirst students also gain valuable exposure to significant historical and cultural locations and events by participating in a required series of field trips. SpeakFirst students participate in summer internship opportunities provided by The Kids & Jobs Program, administered by the City of Birmingham Division of Youth Services. The internships take place in various public, private, and nonprofit sectors of the business community. The students work in four-week paid internships for the purpose of developing professional interests and cultivating occupational resources.

Impact Alabama AmeriCorps Members coordinate every aspect of the SpeakFirst program, including leading debate practices three days each week, organizing tournament participation at least once per month, aiding students in the development of research skills based around a current events topic or public policy issue, assisting students with college preparatory activities such as standardized test prep and admissions essays, and taking students on cultural excursions.