On Saturday morning, a group of more than 20 high school seniors from across metro Detroit will step up to the microphone, each making their case on a question that sits at the center of many young people’s futures: Is higher education needed to improve your quality of life in today’s society?
The occasion is the 26th Annual Oratorical Competition, hosted by the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, Inc., set for April 18 at 11 a.m. at Wayne County Community College’s Northwest Campus. The event has long served as a platform for students to test their public speaking skills while tackling real-world issues in front of a live audience.
This year, the nearly two dozen high school seniors represent a mix of Detroit and suburban schools, including Plymouth Canton, Romulus, Loyola, Warren De La Salle, Divine Child, Pershing, and Washtenaw Alliance for Virtual Education.
Participants will deliver prepared speeches addressing the role education plays in shaping economic stability, career access, and overall quality of life. Judges will evaluate each speaker, with cash prizes awarded to the top three finishers. All students who compete will receive compensation.
The event will be hosted by Keyon Clinton, an international speaker and author known for his “1% Better” framework, who said he’s focused on what the students bring to the stage.
“I am looking forward to seeing the youth use the power of their voices to create impact and change at this event,” Clinton said.
This year’s judging panel includes Jerjuan Howard, Director of Youth Affairs for the Mayor’s Office; Arnold Boyd, founder of Student Transportation Services, LLC; filmmaker and producer Dennis Reed II; and Kelli Cox, who won the competition in 2025.
For the 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, the competition is part of a broader effort to invest in young people through mentorship, education, and leadership development. The organization, a local chapter of the national 100 Black Men of America, Inc., focuses much of its work on creating opportunities for African American youth.
The oratorical contest, in particular, puts an emphasis on communication while giving students space to organize their thoughts, speak with confidence, and engage with issues that affect their generation.
On Saturday, those skills will be on full display as students take the stage, one by one, making their arguments and, in the process, finding their voices in front of the community.
