A group of school teachers founded the New York City Urban Debate League in 2011 with the mission of increasing the number of public schools in New York City with debate programs. There is empirical evidence of debate helping students improve their grades, graduation rates, and not just college enrollment but college readiness, while also becoming more engaged and informed citizens. At that time, fewer than ten public schools in the city had debate programs. The League started with those few schools and fundraising from bake sales, before incorporating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit on May 9, 2012.

The NYCUDL has grown the number of NYC Title I schools with debate programs to over 250 across the city, and is the largest urban debate league in the country. Through partnerships with the New York City Department of Education’s NYC Reads initiative and Community School Districts 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 15, and 16, as well as robust efforts to expand outreach to underserved communities, the NYCUDL has grown to serve 4,000 students citywide.