Langston Hughes Academy

Disadvantaged students must not only debate with their intellect and skill but possibly against someone who has the resources to increase their knowledge of the activity at some prestigious, expensive debate camp. 

Cormell J. Padillow is a contributing writer/intern for the Black Wall Street Times and is a Wichita, Kansas transplant. He is The Black Wall Street Times’ first intern and is currently a high schooler at Langston Hughes Academy for Art and Technology, a free public charter school. Padillow has been a high school policy debater for 3-years and has competed at the National, State, and local levels. His words and pin have become the tool he uses to change the mind of the many. 

“If you want this school to stay open; if you want to have an educational choice; if you want smaller classroom sizes; if you want to be educated by people who look like you and living in your community, it matters. If you want that, you’re going to have to raise your voice, and you’re going to have to speak up. And when the opportunity comes, you’re going to need to be ready for that,” Mr. Dainels said, echoing a previous conversation he held with his students early in the year.

Ricco Wright’s intellectual genius fans and provokes black American’s to recognize their God-given greatness and encourages them to look forward to the better days ahead.