Posted on Tuesday, January 19, 2021
Texas Southern University’s renowned Debate Team will participate in the historic virtual inauguration of President-elect Joseph R. Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala D. Harris. Debate Team members Nahab Fahnbulleh, Maya Williams, Gloria Ekezie and Trevor Mouton will perform under the direction of Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, director and coach of the TSU Debate Team.
The inauguration event, “We Are One,” honors and celebrates the African-American community and the African Diaspora. It will be streamed live on January 19 from 8:00-9:30 p.m. EST at bideninaugural.org/watch and on Urban One, HBCU Grad, NowThis, Revolt TV, The Source, The Shade Room, BET, The Grio TV, Daily Kos, Watch The Yard, Blavity, and on NBC Peacock TV-The Choice, Peacock’s free news channel. ASL and closed captioning will be provided.
“We are filled with pride and anticipation to see the Texas Southern University Debate Team in the national spotlight for this historic moment. It is truly an honor for our students, under the leadership of Dr. Gloria Batiste-Roberts, to be selected based on their outstanding achievements and embodiment of HBCU excellence and pride that are recognized throughout the world,” said TSU Interim President Kenneth Huewitt. “We know the spirit of the late Dr. Thomas Freeman will be demonstrated throughout their original piece that was created for the Inauguration. I’d like to thank the Biden Harris Inaugural Committee, led by Dr. Tony Allen, for the prestigious invitation to TSU.”
The TSU Debate Team was founded more than 70 years ago by its esteemed coach, the late Dr. Freeman. Team members have competed across the globe and accumulated thousands of titles and trophies. Former debaters include the late Congresswoman Barbara C. Jordan, Grammy-Award winning gospel artist Yolanda Adams and Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
“To have the opportunity to participate in such a historic event makes us all TSU Debate Team proud,” said Dr. Batiste-Roberts. “It is also a heartwarming memorial to our founder Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, who joined the ancestors on June 6, 2020. Our students had a tough year, so it is a message that the future is bright, and trouble does not last always.”
Participating in such a historic event is an honor for Debate Team President Nahab Fahnbulleh.
“I recognize the significance of it and my role. I’m not only representing myself, but my team, Texas Southern University, and all HBCUs. I am a testament to what HBCUs have produced and what they continue to produce,” Fahnbulleh said. “I know we have made our team’s founder, the late great Dr. Thomas F. Freeman, proud and he would commend us on our creativity and hard work.”
Category: Alumni, Faculty & Staff, News Media, Students