Morehouse Debate Team Expands Global Impact with Success in East Africa

The Morehouse College Debate Team has just returned from a highly successful international competition trip to Tanzania that highlights both the extraordinary accomplishments of our students and the growing global impact of faculty-led academic programs at Morehouse.

Under the leadership of faculty director Prof. Ken Newby, Esq., the team first competed in the Mlimani Open, Tanzania’s premier national debate tournament hosted at the University of Dar es Salaam. Against strong competition, our students delivered a commanding performance and emerged as champions of the tournament, solidifying Morehouse’s reputation as a leader not only at home but on the global stage.

Following this victory, the team participated in the African Social Justice Debate, a unique international tournament that brought together teams from across East Africa and the United States, including debaters from Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Morehouse College. This year’s debate focused on one of the most pressing and complex policy issues facing the region: migration justice and the full implementation of the Common Market Protocol (CMP) in East Africa—a topic requiring deep understanding of law, economics, and human rights. Morehouse advanced to the quarterfinals and also saw one of its students honored as the fifth best judge in the tournament.

The African Social Justice Debates holds special significance for Morehouse. The format itself was first developed at Morehouse as part of our Social Justice Debates Initiative, blending rigorous academic research with the values of equity, advocacy, and civic leadership. Thanks to sustained faculty leadership and partnership-building, this format has now been successfully expanded to East Africa, with Tanzania emerging as a regional hub. The finals of the tournament were held at the East African Community headquarters in Arusha, symbolizing the program’s growing regional importance.

The outcomes of this trip represent a powerful example of both student success and faculty impact. Our students demonstrated outstanding academic preparation, mastering complex global issues while engaging in meaningful cross-cultural dialogue. They developed the critical thinking, leadership, and communication skills that will serve them as global citizens and future leaders. Their recognition at the highest levels of competition affirms the strength of our academic preparation and the quality of their leadership development.

For faculty, this work reflects an innovative model of global engagement—one that integrates teaching, research, program development, and international partnership. Morehouse faculty (Prof.  Newby working with others) have designed a debate curriculum that is not only academically rigorous, but also deeply grounded in social justice and cultural diplomacy. Through this faculty-led initiative, Morehouse is building sustainable, student-centered international programs that reflect the College’s mission while extending its global presence.