Bulldogs Earn Small School Sweepstakes Title as Team Reacts to Historic Win

Alabama A&M University Honors scholars stood hand in hand as the final award was announced at the 2026 National HBCU Speech & Debate Championship. When the words “Alabama A&M University — First Place, Small School Sweepstakes” echoed through the debate room at Texas Southern University in Houston, silence gave way to cheers, embraces and tears.

Among them was Debate Captain Miracle Olatunji, overcome with emotion as months of preparation culminated in a defining moment for the AAMU Honors Speech & Debate League.

The Bulldogs returned to campus with the top Small School Sweepstakes honor after two jam-packed days of national competition held Feb. 6-7. The award recognizes the highest-performing small-school program across debate and individual events, marking a milestone achievement for a team making only its second appearance at the national HBCU championship.

Ten scholars represented Alabama A&M, each competing in at least three events, under the leadership of Founder and Coach Carla Draper Holloway. Their preparation began months in advance, with late nights devoted to research, structured drills, practice debates and delivery coaching.

The team demonstrated particular strength in Parliamentary Debate, one of the tournament’s most competitive categories. Kelvin Edwards and Jordan Lee, along with Shanel White and Jailah Richie, delivered standout performances against established programs. Olatunji, paired with freshman Jacob Adams, earned Parliamentary Debate Quarterfinal honors.

Chance Williams advanced to the Quarterfinals in IPDA Debate, while Jerryll Collins reached the final round in Slam Poetry. Chizitelu Justin distinguished herself in Dramatic Interpretation, and Uchenna Justin delivered strong performances in Informative Speech and Homiletics. Consistent placements across debate, interpretation and platform events ultimately propelled the Bulldogs to the top of the Small School Sweepstakes standings.

For many team members, the experience was transformative.

“Competing at the national level in speech and debate was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences I have ever faced,” said freshman Jailah Richie. “Before this, I had never participated in an official speech and debate competition, let alone competed against some of the best orators in the country. This experience pushed me far outside of my comfort zone and showed me that I am capable of accomplishing things I once believed were impossible.”

Edwards described the championship as both demanding and defining.

“Competing at this level pushed me beyond my limits and helped me grow both in and outside speech and debate,” he said. “I learned so much and gained memories I’ll carry with me forever.”

The sweepstakes title is especially meaningful given the League’s rapid growth. In 2019, Alabama A&M traveled to nationals with five scholars competing exclusively in Parliamentary Debate. In 2026, the program fielded competitors across more than a dozen categories, reflecting expanded training, broader participation and a deepened culture of excellence.

From the coaching perspective, the achievement represents more than trophies.

“I am incredibly proud of our scholars’ performance,” Holloway said. “I am inspired by their phenomenal performances and the extraordinary level of talent across the HBCU speech and debate community. This experience strengthened our team and left a lasting impact.”

The League’s momentum continues. The Honors Speech & Debate League will host an on-campus Debate Showcase on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 6 p.m. in Buchanan Hall Auditorium, followed by a Speech Showcase in April. The events will give the campus community an opportunity to witness the excellence, preparation and leadership cultivated through the program. Participation on the Debate Team is open to scholars enrolled in the University Honors Program.

For Olatunji, the moment the University’s name was called will not soon be forgotten.

“Nationals stretched me in ways I didn’t expect — mentally, emotionally and as a leader,” she said. “It was disappointing that several of my teammates did not take top spots in some of the individual categories, but when our name was announced for Small School Sweepstakes, I felt like all the hard work was paying off. We have our eyes on even bigger awards next year.”

Honors Speech & Debate League team members (left to right): Kelvin Edwards, sophomore, Mobile, Alabama; Uchenna Justin, junior, Abuja, Nigeria; Jordan Lee, sophomore, Mobile, Alabama; Jacob Adams, freshman, Springville, Alabama; Chance Williams, junior, Woodbridge, Virginia; Miracle Olatunji, junior, Nigeria, debate captain; Shanel White, sophomore, Raleigh, North Carolina; Chizitelu Justin, freshman, Abuja, Nigeria; Jailah Richie, freshman, Nashville, Tennessee; Jerryll Collins, sophomore, Birmingham, Alabama