The Inaugural Southern Scholars Debate Classic Featuring Howard University vs. Samford University

BIRMINGHAM AL – The Penny Foundation is excited to announce the first-ever Southern Scholars Showcase an event celebrating collegiate debate and academic excellence. This inaugural debate featuring Howard University and Samford University will take place on October 18th at Sixth Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham Alabama. The event is presented by The Penny Foundation and Jefferson County Commission with production by BlueJireh Inc.

This highly anticipated debate will highlight the intellectual rigor and competitive spirit of two renowned institutions. It will provide a platform for students educators and the community to engage in dynamic discussions on pressing topics such as free enterprise foreign policy education healthcare and affirmative action. Through their mastery of logic rhetoric and persuasion these scholars will exemplify the power of thoughtful discourse in addressing complex societal issues.

Lyord Watson Jr. Founder & CEO of The Penny Foundation expressed his enthusiasm: ""We believe that democracy is a cornerstone of our nation. What better way for us to see democracy in action than to have our nation's young leaders to model civil debate."

Event Details:

● What: Howard University vs. Samford University College Debate

● When: Friday October 18 2024

● Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

● Where: Sixth Avenue Baptist Church 1101 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive SW

Birmingham AL 35211

Samford University Team:

● TJ Riggs

● Maddox Gates

● Debate Coach: Lee Quinn J.D.

Howard University Team:

● Elandrea Baker

● Robert Khalil Kelly

● Debate Coach: Angela D. Minor Esq.

The debate is open to the public and free of charge welcoming students families and the community for a morning of intellectual engagement and civic discourse. Audience members can look forward to an inspiring and educational experience that will showcase the debate skills and perspectives of tomorrow's leaders. This event will also continue Sixth Avenue Baptist Church’s legacy of community engagement and enrichment.

Registration is now open for attendees and vendors. For more information or to register please visit www.southernscholarsshowcase.org

About Southern Scholars Showcase

The Southern Scholars Showcase is dedicated to fostering academic excellence and providing resources for students to explore higher education opportunities. Our mission is to create an inclusive environment where students can engage with peers educators and institutions to make informed decisions about their academic futures. To learn more visit www.southernscholarsshowcase.org

About The Penny Foundation

The Penny Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving and empowering communities by providing access to the resources necessary to create lasting change. The Penny Foundation connects people organizations and resources

in the areas of family economics and community development through the lens of technology and innovation. The Foundation is a Birmingham Alabama-based community chest working to eliminate economic inequality in the Black community. To learn more visit www.pennyfoundation.org

About BlueJireh

BlueJireh is a premier event production company known for organizing high-impact events that foster education culture and social change. They specialize in producing events that unite communities encourage intellectual growth and inspire action. BlueJireh is also recognized as a top source for aviation flight and maintenance training system and parts obsolescence engineering and coordination and logistics for both US and foreign military. To learn more visit www.bluejireh.com 

Host or Publisher The Penny Foundation