Penny Foundation to host 3-day HBCU debate and esports event in Birmingham

The Penny Foundation is set to host The Penny Games: HBCU Debate + Esports Invitational in Birmingham October 1-3. The three-day event will bring together students from at least eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), more than 500 local high school students and more than 100 colleges, employers, and civic partners for a unique blend of cultural exchange, academic competition and professional and personal development.

The Penny Games will feature a citywide college fair, livestreamed esports finals, and a leadership breakfast – all designed to showcase pathways and possibilities for the next generation.

“This is more than a tournament – it’s a launchpad,” said Lyord Watson, Jr., CEO of the Penny Foundation. “The Penny Games connect students to real opportunities, strengthen HBCU visibility, and show what it looks like when a city invests in its future leaders.”

This year’s invitational will award more than $20,000 in student prizes and seeks to position Birmingham as a rising hub for innovation and talent retention.

“These Games will attract top talent from across the country to compete in debate and esports,” Watson added. “Beyond competition, this event benefits Birmingham and the surrounding region by exposing students to colleges and universities and giving our city the opportunity to recruit talent to the region.”

Last year, the Penny Foundation – a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity through education, entrepreneurship, and community capital – hosted its first competition, called the Southern Scholars Debate, featuring Samford University and Howard University. This year, the organization is expanding the games to several HBCU debate teams and 12 esports players convening for a multi-day event now called The Penny Games.

The HBCU debate programs confirmed to participate include Alabama A&M University, Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Hampton University, Livingston College, Wiley University and Tennessee State University.

“I’m honored and excited to be participating,” said Jalen Murray, a student at Morehouse College. “I’ve never been to a debate tournament before, and this experience is allowing me to connect with members of my own school’s debate team while strengthening my ties to a community I wasn’t familiar with before.”

The 2025 schedule opens on Wednesday, October 1, with guided tours of Birmingham’s historic landmarks and a welcome reception. Day Two, Thursday, October 2, will feature debate rounds at Birmingham City Schools and esports competitions at Miles College. Later, students will gather at Topgolf for the esports finals and a college fair. A party with a purpose, the evening will include a live DJ along with recruitment activations. The event will close on Friday, October 3, with the debate finals and a leadership breakfast at the BJCC.

“Debate is one of the strongest credentials a student can put on a college application, and this collaboration helps us ensure that more young people in Birmingham gain that advantage,” said Lee Quinn, director of SpeakFirst: Birmingham Urban Debate League, Impact America, which seeks to elevate intellectual sports like debate in Birmingham and is a partner for this year’s Penny Games. “Ultimately, it’s about connecting community leaders with students to help shape the next generation of Birmingham’s leaders.”

Quinn added that debate and events like the Penny Games can provide students with invaluable skills and networking opportunities.

The Penny Games is made possible through support from Blue Jireh, Protective Life, the City of Birmingham, Jefferson County, as well as local colleges, employers, and civic partners participating in the college fair and recruitment programming.

“We love the action The Penny Foundation has taken to bring the mind to the forefront of competition instead of the body,” said Randall Cottrell, president of Blue Jireh. “We hope students gain exposure to the highly competitive worlds of debate and esports and are inspired to pursue opportunities in these spaces. At Blue Jireh, we’re always seeking well-spoken, research-minded talent.”

For more information, visit thepennygames.com.