The Theodore Gibson Oratorical Project is dedicated to exposing school children to the wide breadth of writings about the Black experience throughout the Diaspora.
The project seeks to provide an opportunity for school children to discover and refine public speaking skills through a comprehensive and challenging level of learning and competition.
Inquiries about the Annual Theodore Gibson Project should be addressed to: Miami Dade College, North Campus
Resources
Divisions
Level 1 - Pre-Kindergarten through Second Grade
Level 2 - Third through Fifth Grade
Format
Both Levels combined (Levels 1 and 2) must not exceed the maximum 6 students. 3 students at each level are acceptable.
Regional Competition
At the regional competition, the 6 participants from each school will be judged by a panel based on established guidelines. (See "Criteria" for detailed evaluation.) First place winners will be selected from Levels 1 and 2 will be invited to compete in the final competition. At the conclusion of all preliminaries, teacher/sponsors will be notified of the winners.
Final Competition
The highest scoring students from the regional competitions will participate in the final competition. Overall winners will be selected and honored at The Gibson Project Awards Ceremony. Note: All participants may attend the awards ceremony with their parents.
Sponsors are encouraged to present a school generated "Certificate of Distinction" (Regional) and "Certificate of Honor" (Final) to participants of each competition, on their school's annual awards day.
| Students in middle school Grades 6-8
Format |
Senior high school students in Grades 9-12 will compete in the Senior High Division
Format
Each school is to select a maximum of 3 (three) students to represent their school in the Gibson Project's regional competition.
Important Requirement
All high school student participants are required to recite/present an original selection written by the student (no exceptions).
Regional Competition
At the regional competition, the 6 participants from each school will be judged by a panel based on established guidelines (see "Criteria" for detailed evaluation). Each contestant's selection will be registered in one of the categories. The highest scoring student in each category, from each school, will be invited to compete in the final competition. Shortly after the conclusion of the regionals, teacher/sponsors will be notified of the winner(s) from their school.
Final Competition
The highest scoring students from the regional competitions will participate in the final competition, held at one of the M-DC Campuses. Overall winners are selected and honored at The Gibson Project Awards Ceremony. Note: All participants may attend the Awards Ceremony with their parents.
Sponsors are encouraged to present a school generated "Certificate of Distinction" (Regional) and "Certificates of Honor" (Final) to participants of each competition, at their school's annual award's day.
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
| Mrs. Nancy Dawkins | Founder |
| Fermin Vazquez | North Campus President/Co-Executive Director |
| Dean Crystel Lewis | Co-Chairpersons |
| Dr. Kahmaran Abrahams | Co-Chairpersons |
| Ms. Eon Alleyne-McMayo | Member |
| Mr. Manolo Barco | Member |
| Ms. Sandra Carbon | Member |
| Ms. Gabriela Cardenas | Member |
| Mr. Carlton Daley | Member |
| Ms. Tina Hankerson | Member |
| Ms. Stroma Mac Donna | Member |
| Ms. Michael Mason | Member |
| Ms. Marthe Metayer | Member |
| Ms. Sabrina Neufville | Member |
| Prof. Katrika Sterling-Jackson | Member |
| Mr. Gener Romeo | Member |
| Ms. Haisha Sinsurin | Member |
| Ms. Alejandra Stephenson | Member |
| Dr. Sabrina Walters | Member |
The Annual Theodore Gibson Oratorical Project is sponsored by Miami Dade College and Miami Dade County Public Schools 2024-2025 Theodore Gibson Oratorical Steering Committee