Programs

After-school program

Umoja Debate League’s after-school program serves middle and high school students at participating partner schools across the city. Each school fields a debate team of 10–20 students who meet twice per week for structured practice sessions.

Teams are coached collaboratively by an Umoja Debate League-hired coach and a school-based coach, ensuring consistency in curriculum and strong school partnership. Once per month, teams gather for Saturday competitions where students debate local ordinances, community issues, and global topics, applying the skills developed during weekly practices.

At the conclusion of the season, championship teams are recognized with a culminating cultural immersion experience. Past experiences have included an international educational journey to Ghana in 2024 and a Civil Rights pilgrimage through the American South in 2025, deepening students’ understanding of history, identity, and culture while expanding their exposure to new places, perspectives, and possibilities.

summer CAMP

In an effort to expand our pipeline to future lawyers and provide opportunities for students beyond our partner schools, Umoja Debate League offers a 10-week Debate Summer Camp in partnership with the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.

Open to youth in grades 6-12, the camp serves up to 50 students each summer and is held five days per week. Monday through Thursday are dedicated to foundational debate instruction, where students develop argumentation, research, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. Fridays are reserved for “Friday Fundays” — curated field experiences designed to expose students to professional environments and career pathways beyond debate. Past Friday Funday partners have included Delta Airlines, StockX Headquarters, Google Headquarters, The Hip Hop House, Chef Que at The Kitchen, and Umoja Village.

While our primary focus remains debate instruction, we intentionally broaden students’ exposure to diverse industries and leadership pathways.

Community engagement at umoja village

Umoja Village is an outdoor community space that was built for and by the community. In 2022, Umoja Debate League purchased 3 blighted lots and built what is now Umoja Village. Umoja Village is a space that features a community garden, art, a free little library, and a stage for the community to hold meetings/children to debate. We use Umoja Village as a space to teach the youth about getting involved and being the change you want to see in your community.