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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity and Inclusion Group Photo

Free DEI Resources for Tournaments

Join us in making speech and debate a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive activity. Download or view free resources designed to support your efforts to make your classroom, practices, and tournaments more equitable. Thank you to the members of NSDA Coaches’ Caucus and other community members for significant contributions in developing these materials. Visit our Resources page and use the “inclusion” filter to the left of the screen to find more resources.

Free DEI Resources for Classroom/Practices

Professional Development 

Coaches and teachers, visit the NSDA’s online learning platform, NSDA Learn, to find free courses on:

Building Supportive Cultures to Prevent Bullying and Harassment

Building Supportive Cultures to Prevent Bullying and Harassment

Engaging and Mentoring Students with Disabilities

Engaging and Mentoring Students with Disabilities

Engaging and Mentoring LGBTQ+ Students

Engaging and Mentoring LGBTQ+ Students

Engaging and Mentoring Black/African American Students

Building Supportive Cultures to Prevent Bullying and Harassment

2021 Online National Speech and Debate Conference

The 2021 NSDA National Conference, a free conference advocating for more equitable and inclusive speech and debate communities, was held online August 3-5, 2021. Recordings are available for many of the sessions.

Coaches’ Caucuses

The NSDA coaches’ caucuses provide opportunities to network with other coaches and join in important discussions and dialogue in safe and private spaces. Caucus participants are asked to abide by the NSDA harassment and discrimination policy at all times.

Interested in participating in a coaches caucus? Register below.

Fall 2023 Coaches Caucus Meetings

Black-African American Leaders
Black/African American Leaders
Adesuwa Omoruyi, TX
Jharick Shields, MS

Wed, October 18 – 7:00 p.m. CT

Hispanic-Latinx Coaches' Caucus
Hispanic/Latine Leaders
Tony Ugalde, CA
Victoria Beard, TX

Tue, October 17 – 7:00 p.m. CT

LGBTQ+ Coaches' Caucus
LGBTQ+ Leaders
Heath Martin, TX
Elle Barts, NE

Tue, October 24 – 7:00 p.m. CT

Womxn Coaches' Caucus
Women’s Caucus Leaders
Jamelle Brown, KS
Kim Lenger, MO

Spring Date Coming Soon!

Asian American Coaches' Caucus
Asian/Pacific Islander Leaders
David Long, PA
Kris Igawa, OR

Spring Date Coming Soon!

Abilities United
Abilities United Caucus Leaders
Jan Pizzo, OR
Jesse Meyer, IA

Spring Date Coming Soon!

Indigenous Persons Leaders
Indigenous Persons Leader
John Samqua, KS

Wed, October 11 – 7:00 p.m. CT

Harassment and Discrimination Policy

 

The National Speech & Debate Association is committed to providing its participants, judges, coaches, and staff the opportunity to pursue excellence in their endeavors. This opportunity can exist only when each member of our community is assured an atmosphere of mutual respect. The NSDA prohibits all forms of harassment and discrimination. Accordingly, all forms of harassment and discrimination, whether written or oral, based on race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, citizenship, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by any applicable federal, state, or local law are prohibited, whether committed by participants, judges, coaches, or observers. Individuals who are found to have violated this policy will be subject to the full range of sanctions, up to and including removal from the tournament premises.

— Approved by the NSDA Board of Directors on December 13, 2018

 

Equity Commitments

Current and Past Statements

Statements

Read our statement on George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery.

Read our statement on the Atlanta Attacks

NSDA Equity statement

Learn more about our 2020-21 Judge Accreditation and Equity initiatives announced on Aug 21, 2020.