Wiley College Debate Team
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Denzel Washington continues to fulfill his $1 million commitment to an HBCU debate team
In 2007, the actor starred in “The Great Debaters,” portraying Melvin B. Tolson, a legendary debate team coach at Wiley College in the 1930s. During Tolson’s time, he helped break barriers, integrating collegiate debates and guiding the Wiley debate team on a 10-year undefeated winning streak. The year the film debuted, Washington made a $1 million commitment to ensure the debate team at Wiley college would continue to succeed and keep the scholarly tradition alive and kicking.
