Emani Stanton and Jayla Jackson are two young Black women from Atlanta who have made history by becoming the first Black female duo to win the prestigious international debate competition at Harvard University. The competition, which is held every summer, attracts more than 100 debaters from 15 countries who compete in 10 rounds of argumentation on various topics.
Stanton, 17, and Jackson, 16, went undefeated for all 10 rounds and defeated their opponents with their eloquence, logic and evidence. The topic of the final round was “Resolved: The North Atlantic Treaty Organization should substantially increase its defense commitments in the Baltic States.” Stanton and Jackson argued in favor of the resolution and convinced the judges that NATO should enhance its military presence and cooperation in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to deter Russian aggression and protect democracy.
Stanton and Jackson are both students of the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project (HDCDP), an Atlanta-based program that recruits, trains and mentors Black youth to participate in the Harvard debate residency. The program was founded in 2017 by Brandon P. Fleming, a Harvard debate coach and former teacher, who wanted to create a pipeline of talented Black scholars who could excel in academic spaces that are often dominated by white and privileged students.
The HDCDP has been remarkably successful in achieving its mission. Since its inception, it has sent four cohorts of Black students to Harvard, and each cohort has won the debate competition. Stanton and Jackson are the latest champions, but they are also trailblazers as the first Black female duo to claim the title.
Stanton, who attends North Atlanta High School, said that winning the competition was a “mind-blowing” experience that motivated her to work harder and aim higher. She said that her partner Jackson, who attends Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School, was a perfect match for her because they complemented each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Jackson, who prayed before every round, said that their victory was a testament to their faith and perseverance. She also said that they wanted to inspire other Black girls to pursue their dreams and break barriers.
Stanton and Jackson have shown the world what Black girl magic can do when given the opportunity and support. They have also demonstrated the power of educational equity and diversity in fostering excellence and innovation. They are not only debaters, but also leaders, role models and visionaries who have a bright future ahead of them.
In the realm of junior golf, Simthandile “SimTiger” Tshabalala has emerged as a prodigious talent, captivating the world with his exceptional skills on the golf course. At just 7 years old, this South African golf sensation has shattered records and garnered international acclaim for his remarkable achievements.
SimTiger’s journey to golf stardom began in earnest in 2019 when he, at the tender age of 7, secured a place in the top 15 of the world kids’ golf rankings. Hailing from Johannesburg, South Africa, SimTiger’s ascent was rapid, having only competed for eight months at that point. In a testament to his prowess, he clinched over 20 trophies locally and internationally, including a notable second-place finish at the 2019 Australian Open Golf Championship.
Representing Mzansi at the World Golf Championship in Malaysia, SimTiger’s outstanding performance earned him the moniker “SimTiger,” drawing comparisons to the legendary Tiger Woods by US golf officials.
SimTiger’s introduction to sports occurred at the age of 2, courtesy of his parents, Bonginkosi and Bengoka Tshabalala. While exposed to various activities such as tennis, swimming, and soccer, it was golf that captured SimTiger’s passion. By the age of 4, he was fully immersed in the game, with golf becoming his unwavering focus. Read more about SimTiger here.