The Richmond Forum

09/03/2026

"There is silence in all of our silence. When we see something that isn't fair or isn't right, we need to speak up."

- Gloria Steinem at The Richmond Forum on February 19, 2022

Today, we are remembering the wisdom Gloria Steinem shared in her conversation with Zainab Salbi on the Forum stage four years ago. She reflected on her lifelong activism, on progress's dependency on turning dreams into plans, and on the power of people coming together face-to-face to make change.

Were you in the audience for Steinem's "A Conversation with a Feminist Icon"? We would love to hear your own reflections.

07/23/2026

When Richmond hosted the National Speech and Debate Tournament, most of the local qualifiers were from Chesterfield County Public Schools. Whether experienced or new to nationals, they enjoyed their home-field advantage in the world’s largest academic competition.

Students from all 50 states and seven nations competed in 42 categories ranging from original oratory (a 10-minute prepared speech) to impromptu (presenting on a surprise topic).

Discover how speech and debate teams empower young voices and get to know remarkable students and coaches from Chesterfield County high schools by reading more at oneccps.org/o/ccps/article/3033564.

06/25/2026

Big ideas don’t take the summer off, and neither does The Forum.

Once again, we are partnering with VPM to bring the magic of The Richmond Forum straight to your living room. This summer, catch hour-long broadcast editions of three of our 2025 - 2026 season programs.

Catch a double feature tonight with Prime Minister Sanna Marin at 5pm and John Green at 8pm.

View the full schedule at https://www.richmondforum.org/insights/vpm2026/.

06/23/2026

Seven thousand students just left Richmond. Forty-two of them took home a first-place trophy. All of them saw what a city looks like when it pulls together.

The 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament brought competitors from 1,500 schools to the Richmond Region. The host committee, led by The Richmond Forum with support from Visit Richmond VA and local coaches, drew hundreds of volunteers from well outside the speech and debate world, including recreational sports teams, businesses, and folks who just happened to pass by a billboard promoting the event.

The National Speech & Debate Association tournament typically takes place in large cities where an event of this size draws little notice from the broader community, but Richmond's response was different.

Senator Tim Kaine gave the opening address for Student Congress. Colonial Williamsburg offered free entry to participants. Students from rural Oklahoma found their way to Africanne on Main. RVA on Wheels ran a historic trolley to help students travel between venues. The Virginia Museum of History & Culture hosted a party for all 7,000 students where, by the end of the night, teenagers were doing the Macarena on the museum steps before watching the debut of "illumiNATION."

Some of these top students may come back for college or future careers because of their experience here. For many of them, it was an introduction to Virginia. For Richmond, it was an opportunity to make that introduction count.

06/18/2026

At the Altria Theater, the top student speakers and debaters in the country are about to take the stage.

The 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament finals start today, and anyone can tune in online.

These students have spent the past several days competing across the Richmond Region, debating policy, delivering speeches, and making their cases to panels of judges. Now, the best of the best get to do so on the stage of the largest theater between New York and Atlanta.

Final rounds can be livestreamed today and tomorrow on NSDA’s website. Head to https://live.speechanddebate.org/ to learn more.

06/16/2026

TWO Virginia teams are moving forward to the next round of World Schools Debate at !

One of those teams, Virginia Crimson, is composed of four students from Richmond and one from Virginia Beach.

Out of 200 teams from around the world, they are currently ONE OF THREE that are undefeated.

Wish them luck on their next round! Let’s go, VA!

06/16/2026

A Richmonder just broke to octofinals at !

Meet Hollyn Borich from Collegiate School, who just found out she’s one of the top 60 students in the nation for her event, Program Oral Interpretation.

Help us wish her luck in her next rounds!

06/15/2026

Students competing in Congressional Debate at the National Speech & Debate Tournament today were sworn in by one of Virginia’s own senators!

In his remarks, Sen. Tim Kaine reflected on his own experience as a high school debater and shared some essential advice from his career.

“This is a moment in the life of our nation where the need to be a good listener has never been more important,” he said. “It’s going to serve you and our country very, very well in years to come.”

Congressional Debate asks students to step into the role of lawmakers, debating legislation and practicing the skills at the heart of democratic participation. Kaine encouraged them to focus not only on speaking well, but on listening well, arguing that understanding an audience is what makes meaningful communication possible.

Read more from The Richmonder:

“We have to help kids gain these experiences that can point them toward a path that they'll be happy in for the rest of their lives.”

06/15/2026

They’re here!

Seven thousand students from 1,500 schools across the country are in Richmond today for the start of the 2026 National Speech & Debate Tournament.

For the next five days, competitors will debate policy, deliver speeches, and make arguments on some of the most pressing questions facing the country. They’ll be competing at 11 venues across the region. Be on the lookout for teens in suits!

06/15/2026