Eloquence Academy Named Activating Equity Award Finalist
c/o National Speech & Debate Association
Earlier this year, Eloquence Academy was named a finalist for the National Speech & Debate Association’s Activating Equity Award.
The award recognizes groups (school districts, booster clubs, coalitions and alliances, or nonprofit organizations) whose work has made speech and debate a more inclusive, accessible activity. The winner receives a $5,000 grant and national recognition during the National Speech & Debate Tournament. Becoming a finalist typically has a single-digit selection rate. Additionally, Eloquence Academy was the only youth-led organization to reach the stage—reflecting its creative approach to educational equity and its commitment to dismantling age barriers in service leadership.
"It's our hope that the recipient of the Activating Equity Award is leaning tightly into appreciation and promotion of the activity of speech and debate as a pathway to honing skills that are going to not only create better communicators, but also create opportunities for our young people to go into the world and continue to transform it in positive ways," said Paul Porter, Director of Belonging & Inclusion at the NSDA.
The award process is administered annually by the Barkley Forum for Debate, Deliberation, & Dialogue at Emory University and the NSDA. Throughout January and February, nominations were received and blind-reviewed by a committee. The rubric valued commitment to equity (45%), commitment to accessibility and growth (40%), and mission alignment with the NSDA (25%). In March, the 10 highest-scoring organizations were named semifinalists. In April, three were named finalists and invited to live presentations. Spencer Chaisanguanthum, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Eloquence Academy and two-time member of the NSDA Student Leadership Council, shared his journey, pitched a use of the $5,000, and completed a Q&A with the committee.
The finalist announcement occurred in Richmond, Virginia on June 18, 2026. The livestream is available now and can be shared and viewed at any time.
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Eloquence Academy, Inc. is the world’s largest youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing equitable academic debate opportunities for rural and Title 1 students. The Academy has offered live debate programs for 3,600 students, partnerships with 122 schools and nonprofit organizations, and online resources for 20,000 learners. Bolstered by 225 volunteers, it has prepared students across all 50 states and 102 countries for college readiness, career engagement, and community impact. Follow on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
