named programs · 5 · from sources
What they call their work
CFL Nationals Prep
Tiered preparation program for the Congressional Forensic League Nationals, featuring research packets, group practices, and individual coaching
Monthly In-Person Tournaments
Hosts monthly in-person debate tournaments at schools across Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Park Slope for middle and high school students
Online Course
Year-round online debate course for middle and high school students featuring weekly coaching, practice sessions, and online tournaments from September to February
States Prep
Tiered preparation program for the New York State Championship, including weekly group practices and optional one-on-one coaching sessions
Summer Camp
Summer debate camp in Brooklyn providing intensive training in public speaking, research, and debate formats for middle and high school students
activities · 3 groups
What they do
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Youth Debate and Public Speaking Programs 4 activities
- Build school capacity for independent speech and debate teamsPartners with NYC schools to establish and grow competitive speech and debate programs using a three-stage, gradual release model designed to enable schools to run independent teams within 3–5 years. Includes on-site introductory courses and ongoing mentorship for school-based coaches.
- Deliver competitive speech and debate programming to middle and high school studentsProvides year-round online and in-person debate instruction, weekly practices, tournaments, and competitive preparation for middle and high school students, including specialized training for the New York State Championship and NCFL Nationals. Programming includes one-on-one coaching, research packets, and scrimmages aligned to championship events.
- Operate a summer debate camp for middle and high school studentsRuns a two-week, in-person summer camp for students in grades 6–12 that includes daily debate practice, academic and socio-emotional instruction, meals, a camp tournament with individualized feedback, and an end-of-camp family showcase. The program is offered at no cost and focuses on public policy issues affecting New York City.
- Provide debate workshop instruction during summer and fallOffers online and in-person debate workshops, including a summer program with daily skills training, formal debate rounds, and feedback from experienced coaches, as well as fall workshops covering multiple debate formats for middle and high school students.
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Donated Attire Distribution 1 activity
- Provide access to professional attire for student debatersOffers free access to new or gently used professional clothing for debaters in need to support participation in formal debate settings.
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Alumni Leadership and Career Support Programs 1 activity
- Support alumni through stipends, financial assistance, and leadership rolesProvides financial support to alumni through semester stipends, a matriculation stipend, emergency assistance, and paid roles as debate judges and Cohort Captains in the Alumni Fellowship. Alumni also serve as College Coach Fellows to support high school debate programs while developing teaching skills.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$500K
Contributions & grants$326K65%
Program service revenue$152K30%
Investment income$21K4%
Other revenue$583
expenses
Total expenses$745K
Program expenses63%
Admin / overhead22%
Fundraising14%
Salaries & benefits$499K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$627K
Cash$536K
Investments$0
Liabilities$22K
Net assets$605K
Liquid reserves8.6 mo
3 years on record · 2022–2024 · YoY revenue +100.9%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 1
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| KRISTINE DICOLANDREA | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 40 | $126K |
board members · 8
- ADAM VANWAGNER — BOARD MEMBER
- ANGELA LIBBY — CHAIRWOMAN
- BASHA RUBIN — BOARD MEMBER
- KATHLEEN LAWLER — TREASURER
- LISA FRISCIA — BOARD MEMBER
- MARTIN BELL — SECRETARY
- RUSSELL CAPONE — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM HARRINGTON — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 26
Who they work with
- Achievement First Partner — Collaborative relationship evidenced by shared coaching and student participation; DiCo founded debate teams at Achievement First schools and coached Adia Clarke there.
- BDL Partner School Partner — High schools that participate in the Brooklyn Debate League program and whose graduates are eligible for alumni support.
- Berkeley Carroll Partner — Hosts Brooklyn Debate League's monthly in-person tournaments at its Park Slope campus.
- Brooklyn Collaborative School Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Brooklyn Frontiers High School Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Brooklyn High School for Law and Technology Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Brooklyn Lab School Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Brooklyn Latin School Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Brooklyn School for Music & Theatre Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Coney Island Prep Partner — Hosts Brooklyn Debate League's monthly in-person tournaments at its Gravesend campus.
- Coney Island Prep High School Partner — School partner receiving Brooklyn Debate League programming and support for its debate team.
- DREAM Charter Partner — Hosts Brooklyn Debate League's monthly in-person tournaments at its Mott Haven campus.
- DREAM Charter High School Partner — School partner receiving Brooklyn Debate League programming and support for its debate team.
- Frederick Douglass Academy Partner — Jonathan Conyers competed on its debate team and DiCo started a debate team there, indicating an ongoing institutional connection.
- High School for Violin and Film Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- Humans of New York Partner — Featured BROOKLYN DEBATE LEAGUE INC in a social media series, increasing public visibility.
- KIPP NYC College Prep High School Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
- NCFL Nationals Partner — Provides targeted preparation programs for students competing in NCFL Nationals.
- NYU Langone Partner — Employer of co-founder Jonathan, who worked as a neonatal respiratory therapist there.
- National Speech and Debate Association Funder — Awarded the Brother Sterner Lifetime Service Award to the Executive Director, indicating formal recognition and likely affiliation or funding support.
- New York City schools Partner — Collaborates with diverse public schools to build speech and debate programs.
- New York State Championship Partner — Provides targeted preparation programs for students competing in the New York State Championship.
- Pace High School Partner — School partner receiving Brooklyn Debate League programming and support for its debate team.
- St Francis College Partner — Hosts the Brooklyn Debate League summer camp at its campus
- Stuyvesant High School Partner — Multiple staff and board members, including DiCo and Basha Rubin, are alumni who participated in debate there, indicating a pipeline relationship.
- The Chapin School Partner — School partner participating in Brooklyn Debate League programming.
strategies · 5
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Debate as Transformative Pedagogy for Empowermentmethodology: debate-for-empowermentBy using debate to develop critical thinking, advocacy, leadership, and civic engagement—particularly in the context of social justice—the organization empowers marginalized students because structured argumentation fosters agency, voice, and socio-political awareness.
- Deliberate Practice in Diverse, Community-Based Learning Environmentsmethodology: deliberate_practice_and_simulationBy combining deliberate practice and competitive simulation with racially and socioeconomically integrated, community-based learning, the organization accelerates debate proficiency because diverse peer interaction and structured repetition deepen skill mastery and broaden perspective-taking.
- Equitable Access Through Material and Financial Supportmethodology: financial_access_inclusionBy removing financial and material barriers—through need-based aid, free professional attire, and universal access policies—the organization increases equitable participation in debate because students from low-income backgrounds can engage fully without stigma or exclusion.
- Gradual Release Model for Program Sustainabilitymethodology: gradual_release_modelBy transferring ownership of Speech & Debate programs to schools through a three-stage gradual release model, the organization builds long-term institutional sustainability because schools become self-sufficient in hosting and supporting debate programs.
- Peer and Alumni Mentorship Ecosystemmethodology: peer_mentorship_cohort_modelBy engaging alumni as coaches and mentors and organizing peer mentorship cohorts, the organization supports student and post-secondary development because lived-experience mentorship strengthens retention, skill transfer, and long-term success.