Learn to communicate in a clear, engaging way

We are a non-profit that provides communication strategies, concrete techniques and coaching for people of all ages in a safe, supportive practice space.

Learn to communicate in a clear, engaging way

We are a non-profit that provides communication strategies, concrete techniques and coaching for people of all ages in a safe, supportive practice space.

We envision a world where diverse communities of youth and adults feel capable, cared for, and free.

We start by encouraging individual expression.

By telling our stories and polishing our presentations...

...we learn to become advocates...

...inspiring inclusive communities, promoting community voiceand becoming leaders that listen.

Public speaking education

We begin by helping people find their authentic voice, and then proceed with concrete strategies for making their voices compelling, clear, credible, and polished.

Our students talk about how they faced the fear of public speaking.

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Practice Space students and staff share their experience.

“Going to The Practice Space, in my case, allowed me to relax and to trust enough to have the courage to try new things and believe that I could achieve my goals going forward.”

“I think a lot of us are much more comfortable with public speaking generally, not only in a competitive setting, just in everyday life.”

“People don’t come to The Practice Space to stay here, people come to The Practice Space to go out into broader spaces, whether that be their home, their classrooms, their community centers, their churches, their local civic groups, their workplace, giving that presentation for the first time. That is one of the values that is upheld here at The Practice Space.”

“A lot of kids are always saying that they need to find a way to find their voice and have been talking about how they’ve been finding that through speech, through The Practice Space. It’s really nice to have a place where you can make mistakes and it’s okay for that.”

Communication is

What We Do

Build confidence through our events, camps & lessons!

For Individuals

We help working professionals achieve personal goals through private public speaking lessons with a coach.

Adult Programs

We provide speech and debate summer camps and free practice events to children and youth in grades K-12.

Youth Grades K-8

Youth Grades 9-12

Bring us to your organization or district!

For Schools & Organizations

We provide curriculum, on-site after-school youth programs, and professional development in K-12 schools.

Education Partners

We deliver communication skill workshops in the workplace for emerging leaders, new executives, teams, and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Corporate & Nonprofit Partners

THE PRACTICE SPACE

Awards

We won the Activating Equity Award given by the National Speech & Debate Association

Press Release

Award Background

Press Release from NSDA

Inaugural Activating Equity Award Winner Announced at National Speech & Debate Tournament

[DES MOINES, IOWA June 20, 2023]—The National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA) is proud to announce The Practice Space as the winner of the 2023 Activating Equity Award. This annual award honors an organization or group of individuals which has dedicated itself to the enhancement of the culture of equity in middle school and high school speech and debate.

The Practice Space is a woman of color-led nonprofit that helps youth and adults in the California Bay Area speak in a clear, engaging way that represents who they are and what they care about. They offer camps, school-based programs, private lessons, and partner workshops. Their online and in-person programming helps people of all ages be authentic, inspire positive change, address social anxieties, and feel connected to others.

The Practice Space envisions a world where diverse communities of youth and adults feel free, cared for, and capable of manifesting their voices in the world. They offer support and space for discussions on issues affecting the next generation such as gender inequality in the classroom, the isolation of growing up in a pandemic, and what it means to be a student with a disability. Their mission is to build confidence and community through communication skill development to advance inclusion, develop empathy, and elevate underrepresented voices.

The Practice Space received $5,000 to help further their mission to achieve equity in speech and debate and recognition at the National Speech & Debate Tournament in Phoenix/Mesa, Arizona.

Every day, the National Speech & Debate Association works to connect, support, and inspire a diverse community committed to empowering students through competitive speech and debate. Learn more about the Activating Equity Award at www.speechanddebate.org/activating-equity-award/

We also won a Best of El Cerrito Award for Best Educational Resources!

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