AFJ Introduces A New Debate Workshop For Our Participants

At Avenues for Justice (AFJ), we look for volunteers who are relatable, approachable and knowledgeable about our population and the communities we serve. We want people who can connect with our youth and young adults, with the understanding that in order for the subject matter to be understood and received, there has to be a level of trust with the volunteer.

Last Thursday, we kicked off the Debate Team workshop led by Reggie Chatman. Reggie is a rising star in the criminal justice field, coming into the national spotlight in 2018 as the leader of the Bard Prison Initiative’s (BPI) widely-praised debate team. Today, he is the Director of Policy at The Fortune Society. Incarcerated at the age of 17 for 25 years, Reggie jumped on the opportunity to get his Bachelor’s degree with the BPI. After beginning his studies in 2015, he was introduced to debate through a team led by one of Bard’s professors. From 2015 to 2018, the BPI debate team excelled and advanced to beat renowned debate teams at Harvard and Cambridge.

As Reggie prepared for reentry as a returning citizen in 2022, he completed his studies with Bard, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Studies and Biology. Reggie went on to receive his Master’s Degree in Public Health in May 2024 from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. It was while Reggie was thinking about youth violence prevention as a matter of public health policy, that he got connected to Avenues for Justice. AFJ’s Court Advocate, Jalil Abdurraheem, was one of Reggie’s mentors during incarceration where they began to explore how they could bring his experience from being on the BPI debate team to AFJ Participants.

“AFJ is investing in our young people through meaningful programming at their community centers. History has taught us that a society’s most valuable resource is its young people, and debate is an investment in the right direction.” ~Reggie Chatman

‍“An important component of our work is partnering with volunteer facilitators to provide well-rounded programming for our young people. I am excited to see how this experience with Reggie will boost the confidence of our cohort of debaters. In the coming weeks, they will develop critical thinking and interpersonal skills, sharpen their active listening and public speaking through the articulation of their ideas, all the while engaging in friendly competition and putting knowledge into action.” ~Elizabeth Frederick, AFJ’s Executive Director 

During the Fall of 2024, Reggie hosted informational sessions at both of our community centers to generate an interest amongst our Participants for debate where he prioritized building communication, relationships and connections with our young people.  

AFJ's Debate Team workshop will run for 12 weeks. This workshop aims to empower our young people with essential skills. Participants will learn how to formulate persuasive arguments, develop critical thinking abilities, enhance public speaking skills, and engage in respectful discourse on various topics. This workshop will not only boost our Participants’ confidence but will also foster teamwork and collaboration amongst peers. Reggie hopes to share the importance of finding one’s voice and show our Participants how they can become thoughtful decision makers.

Towards the end of the 12 weeks, Reggie hopes to organize a formal debate between the AFJ Debate Team and another youth group working with one of his peers from BPI.  

“Through debate, our Participants will not only hone their skills in critical thinking but will also learn to appreciate diverse viewpoints. Together, we are cultivating the leaders of tomorrow, empowering them to make a difference in their communities and beyond.” ~Jessica Bachman, AFJ Program and Activities Coordinator