• for themselves, their families, and their community.

  • Competitive debate is one of the great equalizers of educational opportunity ... ensuring that students get the same exposure to academic rigor as enriched programs in advantaged schools.

  • Debate harnesses inherent competitive instincts. Students channel them into refining skills like critical thinking, collaboration and persuasion – skills they need to succeed in a knowledge-based, global economy.

  • Debate also fosters leaders through mentorships, makes resources accessible and helps students become advocates, problem-solvers and engaged in their community.

  • The Houston Urban Debate League is changing the social landscape in Houston by helping historically under-represented students obtain the skills they need to succeed in life.

Play Pause
The Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) is a non-profit 501(C)(3) dedicated to re-introducing academic debate to under-served and at-risk students in Houston area high schools.

Now in its fifth year, HUDL serves over 650 students in 29 HISD high schools and has enjoyed increasing competitive success in local, state and even national tournaments. Click here to watch The HUDL Story

In 2011, HUDL teams placed among the top teams in the nation at the National Association for Urban Debate League’s Urban Debate National Championship in New York City. Through the generosity of supporters HUDL is able to offer students the trajectory-changing benefits of debate. 

Successful Season Opening Seminar

On September 8, 2012, the Houston Urban Debate League (HUDL) officially opened its fifth season with a seminar at HISD’s Eastwood Academy High School. With nearly 300 students and over 20 debate coaches in attendance, it was one of the largest seminars in HUDL’s history. In fact, the attendance was so large that a satellite location had to be set-up for the morning large group lecture.


2012 Summer Debate Institute

Even though it was a scorcher outside, students were able to escape the heat at the Summer Debate Institute held at the University of Houston. The 151 students that participated got a head start on their case work for the year and were able to meet students from other schools. HISD Trustee Paula M. Harris kicked off the camp where students would be focusing on the topic of transportation.


HUDL Students Continue to Learn from Space Industry Leaders

HUDL opened its third seminar with two great guest speakers. David Valentine, Director of Safety and Mission Assurance at the United Space Alliance, kicked-off the event with a brief history of the shuttle program and then spoke about the technical difficulties of space flight.