Our Story
We are community-led and built upon a foundation of empathy and understanding for the people we serve.
Our Story
We are community-led and built upon a foundation of empathy and understanding for the people we serve.
We are a woman of color-led nonprofit, rooted in the Iron Triangle of Richmond, CA, serving the Bay Area and beyond.
We help youth and adults figure out what they want to say and speak in a clear, engaging manner that represents who they are. We build communication skills and safe, fun environments where people feel a sense of belonging. We engage youth and community leaders at all levels of our organization. We take a positive, fun approach to serious work.
“What was most important about learning public speaking for me was having a ritual…and a space to practice.”
-- Former student and current staff member, Ryan Miller,
as a high school student, before The Practice Space began
In 2017, our Founder, AnnMarie Baines...
...left her job to start The Practice Space after being a volunteer speech and debate coach for more than 20 years. The first “practice spaces” were in her dorm room, living room, cafés, and anywhere she could coach. As a quiet Filipino-American of mixed-race heritage, she knew what it felt like to feel awkward, nervous, and unrepresented. She credits her high school debate team for developing her voice and helping open doors to opportunities.
We launched our nonprofit with the help of 50 teens and families...
...on a local speech and debate team, as well as AnnMarie’s family and founding Board. We began as a local center serving 500 people a year. Now, we are a trusted partner of SF Bay Area schools and workplaces nationwide. Our work has received local and national recognition for activating equity in local communities.
Our Logo
It takes time to develop your voice. Our logo represents how we start with outlining our thoughts and figuring out what we want to say, then sketching and practicing out loud, and finishing our final product. The dotted lines of our speech bubble represent how our voices are a work in progress, no matter your age and experience.