The competition encourages students currently enrolled at HBCUs to express their ideas, engage in thoughtful public discourse, strengthen communication skills, build leadership capabilities and hone creativity through public speaking. “Rooted in the rich rhetorical tradition of the African American experience, this challenge provides a platform for emerging leaders to sharpen their voices, think critically and engage with the pressing issues of our time,” according to a press release from the DreamHouse Make A Difference Foundation—a nonprofit dedicated to empowering youth, young adults and their families through education, mentorship and comprehensive support services—the sponsor of the competition.

The HBCU Oratorical Challenge provides HBCU students with a platform to showcase their eloquence, intellect, passion and deep understanding of issues through four distinct categories:

• prepared public speaking
• extemporaneous public speaking
• spoken word recitation
• public debate

Contestants may deliver a polished speech, respond on the spot to a current event or social issue, compose spoken word poetry or participate in structured debate. View the Participant’s Guidebook and Ambassador’s Operating Manual for more information.

The national finals will be held on April 18-19, 2026 in Atlanta, GA. Scholarships and prizes will be awarded to national winners in each category.

UNCF encourages students attending our member institutions to participate in this competition, hone their public speaking skills and become the next great orators of this nation.

UNCF is not a partner, sponsor or owner of the HBCU Oratorical Challenge.

Source: UNCF