HISTORY
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Equality in Forensics is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides free and online resources to make speech and debate more accessible to students, educators, and coaches across America. We manage a regularly-updated blog, produce free and online resources, host free coaching services, and run free online events.
Equality in Forensics was founded in December of 2021 by four students who experienced the fantastic benefits of speech and debate, observed the inequality prevalent throughout forensics, and saw a lack of action. We decided to take the initiative, and founded Equality in Forensics to make speech and debate more accessible to students across the country.
Three years later, Equality in Forensics is the nation's largest student-run nonprofit for speech and debate.
THE PROBLEM
Speech and debate is one of the most valuable high school activities a student can get involved in. Yet, the activity is far from equal. Many institutions have access to extensive resources, top-notch coaching, and subsidized travel. Millions of students are denied these valuable opportunities solely because of the wealth of their family, community, and school.
THE SOLUTION
Every resource we provide is 100% free and online; there will never be a paywall to access our resources, coaching, tournaments, or community, all while never sacrificing quality. Working the nation's top speakers and debaters, our programs have a proven track record of success, helping our students win national championships at NSDA, NCFL, ETOC, Harvard, and more!
speech & debate for all.
Dec. 2021 // Equality in Forensics Founded
After the dissolution of CrowdPrep Institute, four students came together and founded Equality in Forensics to make speech and debate more accessible to students across the country.
Mar. 2022 // Blog and Advocacy
Hoping to bring light to issues of inequality within speech and debate, Equality in Forensics launches the Blog, which will eventually become the longest-running student speech and debate publication in the U.S.
Mar. 2022 // First Tournament
Equality in Forensics hosts our first tournament, the Spring Break Special, on March 18-21, 2022. A total of 19 debaters compete at no cost in Congress and Lincoln-Douglas Debate.
Jan. 2023 // Congress Coaching Labs
After seeing the popularity of free office hours coaching (launched in August), Equality in Forensics launches coaching labs in Congressional Debate to better assist our growing student attendance.
June 2023 // Pre-NSDA Summer Camp
Ahead of the NSDA National tournament in June, Equality in Forensics hosts its first-ever summer camp in Congressional Debate and Extemporaneous Speaking. 62 students sign up, including many who reach outrounds at NSDA.
Aug. 2023 // Independent Entries
Equality in Forensics launches group independent entries at a variety of online tournaments, allowing students to compete at discounted prices. At our first tournament, an Equality in Forensics team wins the Malaysian International Schools Debating Championship.
Sept. 2023 // Lectures
Executive Director Nicholas Ostheimer hosts an "Intro to Congress" lecture, which receives over 2,500 views on YouTube. It's the first of dozens of lectures that Equality in Forensics will create in each of the following years.
Jan. 2024 // Regional Chapters
To support a growing number of student volunteers, Equality in Forensics launches regional chapters. The first three: Arizona, Colorado, and South Florida, quickly grow to hundreds of members combined.
Jan. 2024 // The Red Folder
After noticing a lack of debate-oriented news, Equality in Forensics launches the Red Folder, a weekly news publication built for debaters, by debaters. It soon becomes one of the organization's largest programs.
Apr. 2024 // Free Online Scrimmages
To enhance practice accessibility, Equality in Forensics introduces the Free Online Scrimmage Series. Starting with Congressional Debate, the scrimmages have grown to include PF, LD, CX, and Extemp, accommodating over 720 entries.Â
May. 2024 // Chapter Elections
With a growing number of regional chapters, Equality in Forensics runs democratic elections for Chapter Leadership. With hundreds of ballots after weeks of voting, 5 new chapters are ratified.
Aug. 2024 // Extemp Coaching Labs
Equality in Forensics launches Extemp Coaching Labs to supplement existing Congress Coaching. The program, led by NSDA IX Champion Anthony Babu, quickly receives nearly 100 signups.
Oct. 2024 // Congress Resource Center
After years of preparation and resource creation, Equality in Forensics launches the world's largest collection of free Congressional Debate resources, with over 150 pages of content and 20 hours of video available for free use.
Apr. 2025 // Champions Coaching Labs
Ahead of major national competitions, Equality in Forensics launches the inaugural Champions Coaching Labs in Congress and Extemp. With 76 signups, students go on to make final rounds at NSDA, NCFL and the TOC.
Today // The Future
Equality in Forensics is a leading force for accessibility in the speech and debate space, being featured by the NSDA and serving as the nation's largest student-led speech and debate organization.
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