Activating Equity Award
The Activating Equity Award recognizes a group committed to increasing participation and creating conditions of fairness in speech and debate. The recipient receives a $5,000 award, along with national recognition at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June.
Why “Activating Equity?”
In alignment with our Equity Focus Areas, the Activating Equity Award recognizes groups that are working to increase access to speech and debate and ensure fairness, both in competition and beyond.
Past Winners
2023 – The Practice Space (Richmond, California; CEO AnnMarie Baines)
2024 – Chicago Debates (Chicago, Illinois; Executive Director Anthony Bolden)
2025 – Center for Democracy in Deaf America (Washington, D.C.; Executive Director Dr. Brendan Stern)
Check out the video from the 2025 winner.
Nomination and Selection
The Activating Equity Award is a nomination/self-nomination process. Groups that feel they meet the criteria are encouraged to apply. In addition, outside parties who feel that a particular group is worthy of nomination can do so as well.
Applications for the Activating Equity Award must be submitted by the deadline of Friday, February 28, 2026.
Priority will be given to:
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Efforts designed to increase access to participation in speech and debate.
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Efforts designed to improve tournament environments and/or create a more level playing field for all participants in speech and debate.
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Groups that work in environments where pathways to participation in speech and debate are extremely limited or non-existent.
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Applicants will be evaluated using a rubric consisting of three categories. This rubric evaluates nominees based on their demonstrated commitment to equity, potential to expand access and growth in speech and debate, and alignment with the NSDA’s mission, with each category weighted by its importance to the award’s purpose.
Selection Process and Timeline
- A committee of coaches and members of the speech and debate community will review nominations and select semifinalists. Semifinalists will then be evaluated and scored by a committee of coaches, members of the NSDA Board of Directors, and speech and debate alumni, with the top three candidates advancing to the final round.
- The final round will take place in late April and will be conducted by members of the NSDA Governance Committee. Finalists will deliver a short presentation in response to a prompted question, followed by a Q&A with the panel. After the presentations, the panel will deliberate and select a recipient.
- The recipient of the Activating Equity Award will be announced at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June.
- January 27, 2026: Nomination form opens
- February 28, 2026: Nominations due
- April 2026: Finalists notified
- May 2026: Winner notified
- June 2026: Winner announced at the National Tournament
Please feel free to contact info@speechanddebate.org if you have any questions.
Award Eligibility
- The Activating Equity Award operates on a one-year cycle.
- Eligible nominees must be groups, such as school districts, booster clubs, or other non-profit corporations, and must be able to provide a federal tax ID number if selected. Individuals are not eligible.
- Recipients must wait a minimum of five years before reapplying (for example, the 2025 winner may reapply no earlier than 2030).
- A group is ineligible to apply if it:
- Employs NSDA staff or a member of the NSDA Board of Directors.
- Has NSDA staff or Board members serving on its own board of directors.
Nomination Form
Nominations for the Activating Equity Award open January 27, 2026.
Form is now closed.
FAQs
What is the process?
- A committee of NSDA member coaches and leaders will evaluate and score all nominations and select semifinalists.
- A panel of NSDA member coaches, NSDA staff, members of the NSDA Board of Directors, and speech and debate alumni will evaluate and score the semifinalists to determine finalists.
- The final round takes place in May, with members of the NSDA Governance Committee serving as the selection panel. The finalists will each give a short presentation around a prompted question. Time is also allotted for questions from the panel. Once the presentations are complete, the panel will debrief and select a winner.
- The winner of the Activating Equity Award will be announced at the National Tournament in June.
Please feel free to contact info@speechanddebate.org if you have any questions.
How is the winner selected?
The selection process follows these steps:
- A committee of coaches and members of the speech and debate community reviews nominations and selects semifinalists.
- Semifinalists are evaluated and scored by a committee of coaches, members of the NSDA Board of Directors, and speech and debate alumni, with the top three candidates advancing to the final round.
- The final round is conducted by members of the NSDA Governance Committee. Finalists give a short presentation in response to a prompted question, followed by a Q&A session. After deliberation, the panel selects the recipient.
The winner is announced at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in June.
What constitutes a group?
Do all members of the group have to be NSDA members?
No, NSDA membership is not required.
Why is this a group award and not an individual award?
This award is designed to recognize the efforts of more than one individual in creating long-term sustainability of efforts in equity within the speech and debate community.
Does the group have to be established?
Yes. The group must be a legally recognized entity capable of receiving the $5,000 award.
Are there specifics on how the $5,000 must be spent?
The award is intended to further the group’s mission and can be used at the group’s discretion to support its equity initiatives.
Can students apply?
Student groups may apply, but the entity they represent must be able to legally receive the award funds.