The Spelman College Speech and Debate Team achieved a historic victory at the 2025 HBCU National Speech and Debate Championship in Washington, D.C., earning *12 separate awards across multiple events​.

The all-female team from the Atlanta-based college clinched national titles in Team Debate, Slam Poetry, and Extemporaneous Speaking, all while embracing a mission to celebrate Black womanhood and art in advocacy​

Their championship run – capped by a triumphant finals at Howard University – has cemented Spelman’s reputation as a rising powerhouse in collegiate debate.

Performing at the HBCU National Championship

This year’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) National Speech and Debate Championship took place Feb. 27–Mar. 2, 2025 at Howard University in Washington, D.C.​. From the outset, Spelman College’s 12-woman squad made its presence known. Competing against debate teams from HBCU institutions nationwide, Spelman amassed an impressive haul of 12 awards, marking one of the best performances in the tournament’s history​

Their accolades included first-place finishes in three premier events:

• Team Debate Champions: First-year students Jocelyn Baker and Laila R. Johnson bested all other duos to win the national title in parliamentary debate. The pair navigated a series of rigorous rounds on topics ranging from U.S. foreign policy to campus free speech, ultimately triumphing in the final debate. “Competing is winning,” said Johnson, reflecting on how simply being in the arena and standing by their arguments was a victory in itself​. Their debate final was a tour de force of analysis and passion that earned a standing ovation from the HBCU crowd.
• Slam Poetry Champion: Senior Winter Jones captivated judges with a powerful spoken word performance, securing the National Slam Poetry Champion title​. Her poem wove personal narrative with social commentary, aligning with the competition’s celebration of artistic expression. Jones’ win in slam poetry exemplified Spelman’s multifaceted strength – excelling not only in debate but in performance art that gives voice to the Black experience.
• Extemporaneous Speaking Champion: First-year Ryley Anthony took home the HBCU National Extemp Speaking gold​. Anthony delivered impromptu speeches on current issues with remarkable poise, outperforming upperclassmen competitors. Her victory in extemp — a discipline requiring both depth of knowledge and quick thinking — underscores the team’s exceptional preparation across events.

Spelman’s debate duo Jocelyn Baker (left) and Laila R. Johnson (right) celebrate winning the Team Debate championship at the 2025 HBCU National Tournament​

The all-female squad from Spelman College brought home 12 awards, showcasing Black excellence in forensics.

Spelman’s dominance didn’t end there. In addition to those championships, the team placed third in the overall debate sweepstakes (a measure of combined team performance) and saw multiple semifinalists in categories like Persuasive Speaking and Prose Interpretation.​

Virtually every Spelman competitor advanced deep into their event, meaning every member contributed to the historic tally. This depth highlights how Spelman has built a program where many voices shine, not just a few stars.

Preparation, Purpose & Sisterhood: The Keys to Success

Behind Spelman’s breakout success lies meticulous preparation and a unique team culture. Led by team President Jocelyn Baker (C’2027) and Debate Captain Laila R. Johnson (C’2027), the students spent months readying themselves both technically and mentally.​

Practice debates, poetry writing workshops, and extemp speaking drills were regular fare, but equally important was fostering a supportive environment rooted in Spelman’s values.

Baker and Johnson approached their leadership roles with a philosophy of empowerment. “I see leading as support. One of the most beautiful parts of our space is that we don’t equate success to just first-place wins,” Baker explained, after the tournament​.

For Spelman’s team, success meant each member having the confidence to express her truth. This outlook helped relieve the pressure – knowing that their worth wasn’t tied to trophies, the students could perform with authenticity and heart.

Johnson echoed a similar sentiment about the team’s purpose. As debate captain, she emphasized centering Black womanhood in everything they did. “It was really important to not only focus on debating resolutions but also bridge that with complex Black intellectual research,” Johnson noted. “It is my priority that this space always centers Black womanhood and the experiences of Black women”​.

That guiding mission was evident throughout the competition – from the content of their arguments to the style of their performances, the Spelman students proudly infused their identity and culture into the traditionally staid realm of collegiate forensics.

Coached by volunteers Robert Brown (Morehouse ’96) and Teri Thompson (Spelman ’87), the team honed a strategy of playing to their strengths. They crafted debate cases that leveraged personal narrative and scholarly research, making their arguments both rigorous and resonant. In practice sessions, teammates would frequently swap roles – a debater would try slam poetry, a platform speaker would practice impromptu debate – creating well-rounded communicators. This cross-training meant that by the time they arrived at Howard University, each student was ready for anything. “Our team is one that always centers on Black womanhood and Black scholarship,” Johnson said, “we did not equate our worth to trophies but took this opportunity to authentically share our art”​.

Celebrations and a Lasting Legacy

When Spelman’s victory was announced at the awards gala on March 2, 2025, it marked a watershed moment for the college. It was Spelman’s first time winning the overall HBCU championship, and their achievement was met with exuberant applause from fellow competitors and coaches. Many recognized that Spelman’s win – as an all-women team dominating a co-ed field – was history-making. “The team had a HISTORIC run at the HBCU Nationals during their centennial year!” the Spelman College Instagram account proudly proclaimed, noting how fitting it was for this milestone to occur as Spelman celebrates 100 years of debate excellence on campus​.

Back home in Atlanta, the college community gave the team a hero’s welcome. At a campus event honoring the debaters, Spelman’s president praised how the students exemplified the college’s founding mission “to uplift the voices of Black women.” Each team member was asked to speak about her experience. Freshman Anaya Northern reflected that the tournament taught her “it’s more important to put out your best work and be proud of it, rather than focusing on the score or ranking”​.

Senior Winter Jones became emotional describing how far the team had come: “When I first competed at HBCU Nats, it was just me and two other team members. So to go with a team of 12 and bring home so many awards meant everything to me”​.

The bonds formed were just as significant as the medals won. Between rounds, the Spelman women could be seen offering each other hugs, prayers, and pep talks. “On the van ride home, we got pretty intimate and emotional about the community we built — full of positive energy and unconditional support,” said Makayla Rivera, a sophomore, about the post-tournament reflections​.

Many noted that this sense of sisterhood gave them strength under pressure. As sophomore Kafi Rosenbaum put it, “I feel so seen and heard in this space…this is the first time I have been on a team where I felt so connected with others”​.

Spelman’s 2025 championship not only adds new hardware to their trophy case, but also sets the stage for the program’s future. The team’s success is inspiring more Spelmanites to try out for debate and speech, ensuring a strong pipeline of talent. It’s also influencing other HBCU programs – showing what’s possible with visionary leadership and a commitment to inclusivity in debate. Spelman’s win, as described by the team, was about “showing our art in advocacy” and proving that competitive success can go hand-in-hand with staying true to one’s identity​.

As the reigning HBCU champions, the Spelman College Speech and Debate Team now turns its sights to new challenges. Next up are intercollegiate tournaments against predominantly white institutions, where they plan to bring the same fire and focus. They’ll do so buoyed by the confidence that comes from knowing who they are and what they stand for. In an era where representation matters more than ever, Spelman’s debate team stands as a beacon – champion debaters who are equally champions of empowerment, unity, and the transformative power of voice.