Long after graduating from Barack Obama Male Leadership Academy, Leory Tamfu is still shaping its debate team.
Javier V. first met Tamfu when he was in middle school, and Tamfu took him under his wing, encouraging him to attend debate camps to prepare for high school.
The two later partnered in Tamfu’s senior year, finding early success before Tamfu graduated and helped Javier find his next teammate.
“He told me to look for someone who is confident,” Javier said.
That was Caleb J. Now, the two are carrying that legacy onto the national stage, recently earning second place at the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues championship.
Held at Harvard University, the championship brought debate teams from urban districts around the country together, under one roof.
“It was beautiful. It was my first time in the Northeast, and it was great to see Harvard in person.” Caleb said. “It was a very new experience, coming from Texas.”
More than giving students the opportunity to visit a new city, the National Association of Urban Debate Leagues gives them an outlet to explore their passion and talent in ways they may not usually be able to.
For Javier, that opportunity also highlights a bigger issue.
“There are so many debaters with much drive who want to succeed. But they are crowded out because they don’t have resources or can’t afford to go,” he said.
Still, Javier and Caleb have found ways to compete at a high level.
They regularly face larger, and oftentimes, private schools. Both say that having different life experiences than many of their competitors allows them to bring a unique perspective when they step up to the podium.
Now, Javier and Caleb are working together to ensure the debate legacy stays strong at BOMLA.
“I want BOMLA to keep going to prestigious debate tournaments,” Caleb said. “I want to continue getting accolades and foster more growth as people become attracted to it and we get more experience.”
Javier said that legacy is something he and Tamfu talked about often.
“I want to have a stable team here. Leroy wanted me to be left with someone I was competitive with. After I leave, I hope that for Caleb,” he said. “I want to have one of those teams, where when you hear the name BOMLA, it’s associated with debate.”
