Stories
How Denzel Washington Revived a Historic Texas College Debate Team to Win National Glory
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CNBC TV18•06-10-2026, 12:12
How Denzel Washington Revived a Historic Texas College Debate Team to Win National Glory
- •Denzel Washington donated 1 million dollars in 2007 to revive the inactive debate programme at Wiley College, inspired by directing and starring in the film The Great Debaters.
- •The original debate team was founded in 1924 by professor Melvin B. Tolson and achieved historic success before shutting down in 1947 after Tolson left.
- •Seven years after Washington's donation, the newly named Melvin B. Tolson/Denzel Washington Forensics Society won the Pi Kappa Delta Comprehensive National Tournament in 2014.
- •The 23-member team consisting of first- and second-year students won 60 awards and finished first in overall standings among 80 competing colleges and universities.
- •Washington visited the college in 2015, received an honorary doctorate, and pledged an additional 1 million dollars to support the ongoing success of the debate programme.
Key Questions Answered
Denzel Washington donated $1 million in 2007 to restart the debate programme at Wiley College, which had remained inactive since 1947.
In March 2014, the 23-member debate team won the Pi Kappa Delta Comprehensive National Tournament, finishing first in the overall standings.
Denzel Washington received an honorary doctorate from Wiley College for his contribution to education and was inducted into the HBCU Forensics Hall of Fame.
