Founder Bio:

AnnMarie Baines, PhD, is an educator, researcher, and public speaking coach dedicated to selfexpression, literacy, and agency through inclusive education. She facilitates kind, welcoming places for people to develop their voice and navigate inequities to become transformative leaders. AnnMarie started her career as a volunteer speech and debate coach for her high school and a special education teacher. She still gives back to the program that developed her voice as a quiet Filipina who was petrified of public speaking. Her work in speech and debate with The Practice Space was recognized by the National Speech & Debate Association for an Activating Equity Award.

AnnMarie has held faculty positions at UC Berkeley and San Francisco State and was a program officer at the George Lucas Educational Foundation. She is a TEDx speaker and author of two books. She received her PhD in Learning Sciences from University of Washington,where she was recognized with the 2023 Distinguished Graduate Award, and also has a Master's in Education Policy from Harvard, a teaching credential from Boston Teacher Residency, and an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley.

Organization Description:

The Practice Space’s mission is to build confidence and community through communication skill development to advance equity, create inclusive environments, and elevate systemically marginalized voices. As a women of color-led nonprofit, rooted in the Iron Triangle of Richmond, CA, they have served more than 3600 participants of all ages since 2017 in the SF Bay Area and beyond. They offer inclusive and accessible educational content to build oral literacy skills, including curriculum and coaching for educators and workplace teams at nonprofits and companies. Their award-winning direct service programs help young people own the power of their voices through speech and debate and feel brave enough to speak as they navigate an inequitable world. Ultimately, The Practice Space envisions a world where diverse communities of youth and adults feel capable, cared for, and free.