Kappa League Debate
Empowering young men of color through the art of debate, fostering teamwork, respect, and ethics while discussing current events that impact their lives.
Conceived in 1922 by Leon W. Steward, and suggested at the twelfth Grand Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi, Guide Right is the fraternity's national service program. The Flagship Initiative of the Guide Right Service Program is the Kappa Youth Leadership Development League (Kappa League).
Kappa League is a program for the educational, occupational, and social guidance of male students in grades 6th-12th. Designed to help young men grow, receive, and develop their leadership talents in every phase of human endeavor.
"The sole mission is to assist young men to achieve worthy goals and make constructive contributions to their communities when the role of leadership becomes their responsibility."
Should a federal offense be imposed when police officers are found guilty of using excessive force?
Should an employer have the right to require a person to have a COVID-19 vaccination?
Should facial recognition technology be used in the criminal justice process?
Should cyber currency be centrally regulated?
Should social media news be federally regulated?
Founded on January 5, 1911, at Indiana University Bloomington, Kappa Alpha Psi® Fraternity, Inc. now comprises functioning Undergraduate and Alumni Chapters on major campuses and in cities throughout the world.
Through its worldwide prominence, Kappa Alpha Psi® has had a global impact on events affecting our communities. Local chapters participate in outreach activities including feeding the homeless, providing scholarships, mentoring youth, blood drives, and public health awareness seminars.
Nationally, Kappa Alpha Psi® has provided summer enrichment camps and raised over $1 Million for St. Jude Medical Research Center.
Learn more at the official national website.
In 1935, the Wiley College debate team made history by defeating the reigning national debate champion, the University of Southern California (depicted as Harvard in The Great Debaters).
In 2007, Denzel Washington donated $1 million to revive Wiley's debate program. Since then, the team has won multiple national championships including two Pi Kappa Delta titles and over 2,500 awards.
Remarkably, 100% of debate program graduates have received scholarships to graduate schools across the country.
"We do what we have to do, so we can do what we want to do." The Great Debaters (2007)
"To be very clear, the experience of competing on an urban debate team boosts your college readiness—and your chance to succeed in life." - Arne Duncan, US Secretary of Education
Competitive debate is not just one of the "great equalizers" for minority achievement and educational opportunity, but also a best practice to produce dynamic Americans proficient in the 4 "Cs" of 21st-century skills—critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity, and also a 5th, civic awareness.
Many students of color never attempt debating as an activity. Yet the history and tradition of oratory, public speaking, and solid argumentation for people of color is extensive. From James Baldwin to Barbara Jordan, to Martin Luther King, to Malcolm X to Barack Obama, there are ample role models for the value of learning the skills.
The National Kappa League Debate Challenge draws in 96 participants over 6 months with students participating from 12 provinces of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity which encompasses the United States, Korea, Japan, South Africa, Ghana, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Germany, and Dubai.
16 teams begin weekly debates on current topics impacting their communities and the world.
Held at Howard University, Washington D.C.
Held at Wiley College, Texas - home of The Great Debaters legacy.
Held at Harris-Stowe State University in St. Louis at the National Guide Right Centennial Celebration of Kappa Alpha Psi®.
This year's grand prize includes a cultural immersion trip to Puerto Rico for the winning team members.
Because when young men learn to debate, they learn to lead. Join us in shaping the future—one argument at a time.
Support from the public and private sectors is crucial to the staging and hosting of The National Kappa League Debate Challenge which includes all funding and travel and accommodation over this period. It is only through your support that we are able to create a solid foundation in staging the event and assisting under-resourced students from multiple states in the U.S and globally to participate.
Join our legacy of excellence in debate and leadership development
