Big Debates Going on with CPS Students

Toinette Gunn, executive director of the nonprofit Chicago Debates, said she wants to expand the after school program it offers at Chicago Public Schools into more high poverty stricken areas, so low-income students can participate on the debate team. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson
Toinette Gunn, executive director of the nonprofit Chicago Debates, said she wants to expand the after school program it offers at Chicago Public Schools into more high poverty stricken areas, so low-income students can participate on the debate team. Photo credit: By Wendell Hutson

Big Debates Going on with CPS Students

BY WENDELL HUTSON, Contributing Writer

A little known after-school program at Chicago Public Schools not only aims to help students develop critical thinking skills, but to also support their academic, career and leadership abilities.

It’s not often you hear about debate teams at urban public schools but Toinette Gunn, executive director of Chicago Debates (CD), said since taking the helm of the nonprofit in 2018, she has been working hard to change that perception.

“We are one of Chicago’s best kept secrets in this nonprofit sector,” contends Gunn. “Chicago Debates is an organization that is bridging the opportunity gap for Chicago Public Schools students by building civic engagement for students while cultivating future leaders. And we do that through the activity of debates.”

As an exclusive partner with CPS, Gunn said CD is the only organization that provides debates within school districts for students in grades sixth through 12th. There are five conferences for high schools and three for elementary schools, so students compete against each other fighting toward a city championship.

The 2018 city championship winners were Solorio Academy High School (varsity); North Side College Prep (junior varsity); Walter Payton College Prep (novice); South Loop Elementary (varsity); Lincoln Elementary (junior varsity) and Bell Elementary (novice). The organization has more than a dozen corporate sponsors including Ariel Investments Inc., a Chicago-based, black-owned investment firm, whose founder is John Rogers Jr., son of the late Tuskegee Airmen John Rogers Sr.

This year, there are 1,800 mostly black (82 percent) students participating in the program from 100 schools including charter schools, according to Gunn, who added debate teams were literally non-existent in the black community during the 1980s when she was in school.

“Historically, debate teams have always existed in wealthier communities, but we are now changing that direction so urban communities can have the same opportunity,” explained Gunn, a Monee resident. “We envision a world in which Chicago youth are empowered to find their voice, succeed in college and career, and become leaders in their community.”

About 34 tournaments are held annually at individual schools leading up to the Chicago championships, which are held in March. Tournament participation requires students to conduct research, use evidence, think critically, and synthesize complex ideas to make their arguments. Debate coaches consist mostly of 150 CPS teachers, said Gunn, although some coaches are external.

CD alumni Sharone Mitchell, 36, said the program gave him confidence and helped him improve his speaking ability. He was on the debate team at Morgan Park Academy High School from 1997 to 2001. He later earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Illinois and a juris doctorate from DePaul University. After first working as a criminal defense attorney, today he works for the nonprofit Illinois Justice Project.

“I joined the debate team in high school because of my family foundation that was politically engaged during that time,” recalled Mitchell, a Morgan Park resident. “And what I like the most about being on the team was the opportunities it gave me to compete against students and debate them on topics I already had an interest in.”

Today, Mitchell, who said he gives CD “two thumbs up,” added he would recommend the program to any youth especially those looking to strengthen their oral skills.

“Thanks to my participation with the Chicago Debates, I have solid research, listening and critical thinking skills that have helped me move forward in life,” he said. “These skills helped me graduate from college, law school and in my profession as an attorney.”

And for Gunn, who said she loves working for nonprofits, her professional background gave her insight for working with youth. Prior to joining CB, she was vice president of programming for the nonprofit Chicago Scholars. As a wife and mother of two sons, Gunn earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and in Sociology from Western Michigan University; and a master’s in Counseling and Ph.D. in Counseling Education from Oakland University in Michigan.

In the next five years Gunn, a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, said one overall goal she has for CD is to expand the program into more high poverty stricken areas thus allowing low-income students an opportunity to participate.

“Growth in students, growth within the community and growth with funding are some of the things I would like to see Chicago Debates conquer as time goes on.” Gunn said.

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