About South Carolina Debate League
Mission Statement ​
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The mission of the South Carolina Debate League (SCDL) is to empower students across South Carolina with critical thinking, public speaking, research, and civic engagement skills through structured debate programs. SCDL seeks to promote academic excellence, confidence, and leadership while increasing equitable access to debate opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds and communities.
Who We Are
The South Carolina Debate League (SCDL) exists to provide students across South Carolina with access to high-quality debate education, leadership development, and competitive opportunities.​Through structured debate programs, students strengthen critical thinking, public speaking, research, and civic engagement skills that prepare them for success in school, careers, and life.​ Our goal is not simply to create better debaters. We aim to develop confident communicators, informed citizens, and future leaders who can analyze issues thoughtfully and advocate effectively.
Meet Our Founder
Whitney Brown
Director of SC Debate League
Whitney Brown began her debate career while attending Freedom Academy High School as a Freshman. During her time on the team, Whitney was able to attend two summer debate camps at the University of Vermont and Catholic University where she was able to connect with other high schoolers that participated in their debate program in their state. By the time Whitney was a senior, Whitney and her partner were ranked number one in the New York Urban Debate League. Upon graduation, Whitney attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice. During Whitney's Freshman year, there was no debate team at the time. However, Whitney began to start doing the research required to create a debate team on campus. After Whitney's Freshman year, Whitney was considering dropping out of college because Whitney did not feel a sense of community. However, Whitney developed relationships with staff members on campus that encouraged Whitney to continue her studies. Whitney decided to continue her studies and while doing so developed a policy debate team.
Whitney previously served as the Business Development Manager for the I-HOPE Women’s Business Center at Increasing H.O.P.E. Our mission is to inspire and empower women, minorities, and veteran entrepreneurs of the Lowcountry. Whitney was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She has been a resident of South Carolina for the last 7 years. With 10 years of Student Affairs experience, her passion for investing in student lives has transitioned to entrepreneurs. She believes that you must invest in the individual holistically.
Whitney attended John Jay College of Criminal Justice and obtained a Bachelors of Arts in Deviant Behavior and Social Control. She continued her education to obtain a Masters of Public Administration degree. Whitney motto is you make a living by what you get and make a life by what you give.