Howard Speech and Debate Team (HUSDT)

Howard University’s commitment to forensics dates back to the early 1940’s. In 1973, the Chair at that time Dr. Laura A. Fleet, founded The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Forensics Society in the Department of Communication and Culture. The forensics program is housed in the School of Communications. Today, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Forensics Society is a thriving program, which prepares students to become leaders in the global community through speech, debate and mock trial intercollegiate competitions. Howard University is one of the few Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs) that competes in forensic intercollegiate competition.

The Howard University Debate Team competes primarily in the parliamentary debate format. Parliamentary debate is recognized internationally and is based in part on the deliberative discussions in the British House of Commons and differs from other forms of competitive debate. Parliamentary debates focus more on a student’s oratorical and analytical abilities and are easier for general audiences to enjoy and understand.

Professor Angela D. Minor is the Director of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Forensics Society and is a faculty member in the Department of Strategic Legal and Management Communication. For general inquiries or information on how your contribution can assist the teams, please feel free to contact Professor Minor via e-mail at angela.minor@Howard.edu or by phone at 202-806-6369.