William A. Brewer III on What Teen Debaters Can Teach the World
In an article for Equality in Forensics, Brewer Foundation Founder and Chairman William A. Brewer III and Jasmine McClure, program coordinator of the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), examine what high school debaters can teach adults about advocacy and constructive disagreement.
Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation and now jointly administered with New York University, the IPPF is the world's only international competition that challenges high school students to debate matters of public policy in writing and in person.
The article, "What Teen Debaters Can Teach the World," reflects on the 2026-27 topic for the IPPF, which asks students to consider the rights of women and girls alongside questions of state sovereignty. Brewer draws on his experience with the program to examine how young people approach difficult questions.
Brewer and McClure argue that "debate"- as an academic competition, is about more than learning how to win an argument. It teaches students to listen, engage with opposing views, and build their arguments around evidence and reason. Those skills, they write, have value far beyond the competition itself—particularly at a time when public discourse too often turns disagreement into division.
In the IPPF, Brewer and McClure see firsthand how disagreement can coexist with respect and intellectual curiosity. Their example underscores the overarching purpose of the program: preparing young people to become thoughtful future leaders.
"Debate equips its participants with the tools to lead, to question, and to speak with purpose," Brewer and McClure write. "The IPPF and other programs like it are not just a competition; they are a proving ground for tomorrow's policy thinkers and public voices."
Read more here.
NFL Star and Former FLP Student Aaron Brewer Donates $25,000 to Brewer Foundation
DALLAS, TX – May 8, 2026 – Aaron Brewer, an NFL player and former student of the Future Leaders Program (FLP), donated $25,000 to the Brewer Foundation in honor of the program’s 25th anniversary.
Brewer – an offensive lineman and team captain for the Miami Dolphins – participated in FLP during his time in the Dallas Independent School District, prior to pursuing his college and professional career. His gift will support the academic resources, debate training, and leadership programming that are hallmarks of the FLP.
"We are immensely proud of Aaron, not only for his achievements on the football field, but for the leader and role model he has become off the field," said William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation. "Aaron's journey reflects the mission of the Future Leaders Program: to provide a platform where talent and hard work leads to extraordinary success. His generous gift is more than a donation – it is a powerful message to our current students that giving back is the ultimate mark of leadership."
Founded in 2001, the Future Leaders Program is the flagship academic and leadership program of the Brewer Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. FLP serves more than 200 students, ages 12–18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) at no cost. Through year-round academic courses, leadership training, and exposure to a wide range of cultural programs, FLP helps prepare its “future leaders” for college and beyond.
"The skills I learned in the FLP—discipline, critical thinking, and the ability to articulate a position under pressure—are things I use every single day in the NFL and in life," said Aaron Brewer. "The program gave me the confidence to compete at the highest level, both academically and athletically. I am blessed to be in a position to give back and to invest in the next generation of leaders from Dallas. My hope is that this gift helps provide the same opportunity for another young person that was provided to me."
About the Brewer Foundation:
The Brewer Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. The Foundation empowers students through education equity, mentorship, and global debate. It breaks barriers, amplifies voices, and champions the art of advocacy for lasting change. A 501(c)(3) private foundation, the Brewer Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on developing, overseeing, and funding education programs, including the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
Andover News: Phillips Debate Teams Advance to Round of 32 in International Public Policy Forum
January 7, 2026 — Andover News reports that Phillips Academy has advanced to the Round of 32 in the 2025-26 Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum.
Celebrating its 25th year, the International Public Policy Forum is a global high school debate contest that combines written and oral advocacy on major public policy issues. This year's competition is the largest in history, with 332 teams from 39 countries submitting qualifying round essays. From this initial field, the top 64 are selected by a panel of judges, who then compete in a single elimination tournament.
The field narrows through multiple written rounds, with the final eight teams receiving an invite to New York City to compete in live oral debates for cash prizes and to win the Brewer Cup.
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Big Island Now: Kealakehe Students Represent Big Island as They Advance to Next Round of International Debate Competition
January 6, 2026 — A team from Kealakehe Public High School has advanced to the top 32 teams in the 25th annual Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum, the only global high school debate competition blending written and oral advocacy. This year's contest began with a record 332 teams from 39 countries.
Starting from the Qualifying Round and continuing to through the Round of 64, teams submitted written arguments addressing whether the Group of 20 Nations should impose a global education tax equal to 1 percent of each member country’s GDP to support universal primary and secondary education. Judges then selected 32 advancing teams representing schools in 14 U.S. states and nine countries. The field will continue to narrow through to more successive rounds to eight finalists who travel New York City to compete in oral debates for a $10,000 grand prize and the Brewer Cup.
Kealakehe is the only Big Island team to advance this year, after reaching the top eight in last year’s competition.
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High School Debate Teams Advance to Round of 32 in International Public Policy Forum (IPPF)
December 29, 2025 — The Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) today announced the high school debate teams advancing to the Round of 32 in the 2025-26 competition. Founded in 2001, the IPPF is the world’s only international high school debate competition combining written and oral advocacy on issues of public policy. Now in its 25th year, the IPPF’s annual competition began in October with a record-breaking 332 teams from 39 countries, making it the largest qualifying field in program history.
In the Round of 64, teams submitted arguments in a written volley on the topic:
“Resolved: The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1% of each member country's gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”
A panel of judges evaluated each submission and selected the 32 teams advancing to the next round. These teams represent schools in 14 U.S. states and nine countries including Turkey, Singapore, and Vietnam.
From these 32 teams, the field will narrow through an additional elimination round to the Elite 8, who will be invited to New York City to compete in oral debates for cash prizes and the Brewer Cup.
The Round of 32 is now underway. To learn more about the tournament, click here.
Round of 64 Results:
· Syosset High School from Syosset, New York advances over KIPS College Sargodha / Aitchison College from Punjab, Pakistan
· Kealakehe Public High School from Kailua Kona, Hawaii advances over The Hockaday School from Dallas, Texas
· BASIS International School Shenzhen from Shenzhen, China advances over Cypress Ranch High School from Cypress, Texas
· Bergen Debate Club from Fort Lee, New Jersey advances over Upper St. Clair High School from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
· Seido Mikawadai High School from Nagasaki, Japan advances over Solon High School from Solon, Ohio
· Jasper High School from Plano, Texas advances over Westwood High School (Team 1) from Austin, Texas
· Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 1) from Johns Creek, Georgia advances over Speech & Debate India from Mumbai, India
· Greenwich High School from Greenwich, Connecticut advances over San Marino High School from San Marino, California
· Carroll Senior High School from Southlake, Texas advances over Summit Christian Academy from Yorktown, Virginia
· Pomperaug Regional High School from Southbury, Connecticut advances over Shanghai Pinghe School from Shanghai, China
· North Allegheny Senior High School from Wexford, Pennsylvania advances over Westwood High School (Team 2) from Austin, Texas
· Flower Mound High School from Flower Mound, Texas advances over Shanghai American School Puxi from Shanghai, China
· TH School from Hanoi, Vietnam advances over Mountain View-Los Altos Speech and Debate from Mountain View, California
· Hamilton High School from Chandler, Arizona advances over Notre Dame High School from Sherman Oaks, California
· The Academy of Classical Christian Studies from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma advances over Newark Academy from Livingston, New Jersey
· Çevre High School from Istanbul, Turkey advances over The Episcopal School of Dallas from Dallas, Texas
· Jabberwocky Studio from Delhi, India advances over Washington High School from Fremont, California
· Ivy Bridge Academy (Team 2) from Johns Creek, Georgia advances over Debate Education Forum High Wycombe, United Kingdom
· Delbarton School from Morristown, New Jersey advances over American School Dhahran from Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
· Grand Oaks High School from Spring, Texas advances over College Preparatory School of America from Lombard, Illinois
· Notre Dame San Jose from San Jose, California advances over Richland High School from Prosper, Texas
· Phillips Academy Andover from Andover, Massachusetts advances over Orlando Science High School from Orlando, Florida
· Millburn High School from Millburn, New Jersey advances over King George British International School from Bucharest, Romania
· German European School Singapore from Singapore advances over Brookfield East High School from Brookfield, Wisconsin
· Troy High School from Troy, Michigan advances over PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya 1, AFS Sambra from Karnataka, India
· Phillips Exeter Academy from Exeter, New Hampshire advances over Saratoga High School from Saratoga, California
· Saint Paul Preparatory Seoul from Seoul, Republic of Korea advances over Rock Canyon High School from Highlands Ranch, Colorado
· Nova High School from Davie, Florida advances over Panther Creek High School from Frisco, Texas
· Damien Memorial School from Honolulu, Hawaii advances over British International School Abu Dhabi from Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
· Westwood High School (Team 3) from Austin, Texas advances over Seoul International School from Seongnam-si, Republic of Korea
· Marymount Academy International from Montreal, Canada advances over Woodberry Forest School from Woodberry Forest, Virginia
· Northport High School from Northport, New York advances over Alpha Co from La Crescenta, California
Elite News Highlights the Brewer Foundation’s 30 Years of Community Impact
Elite News recently profiled the Brewer Foundation in a prominent article recognizing the Foundation’s 30-year legacy of expanding educational opportunity and cultivating future leaders in Dallas and beyond.
The article underscores the Brewer Foundation’s roots as the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors and its longstanding commitment to South Dallas communities. Central to the coverage is a statement from Brewer Foundation Founder William Brewer, who articulates the Foundation’s guiding philosophy and long-term vision:
“From the beginning, the Foundation’s mission—and commitment—has been to the idea that talent knows no boundaries,” Brewer says. “Our role is to support that talent, nurture it, and help young people build pathways toward glorious futures. Thirty years is not a conclusion; it is a beginning.”
The article devotes significant attention to the Foundation’s flagship Future Leaders Program (FLP), characterizing it as a nationally distinctive, year-round academic and leadership initiative serving more than 200 Dallas ISD students. FLP is the first public-private partnership of its kind, uniting Dallas ISD with leading independent schools to deliver rigorous instruction, leadership development, and expanded access to opportunity. Since 2009, FLP participants have earned more than $20 million in scholarship awards and consistently matriculated to prestigious colleges and universities.
The coverage also features perspectives from Foundation President Ian Shaw and key public stakeholders. Former Dallas ISD administrator and community advocate Shirley Ison-Newsome describes FLP as a transformative model that should be replicated nationwide, while students and alumni share firsthand accounts of how the program strengthened their confidence and opened doors to life-changing opportunities.
Further reinforcing this external validation, Elite News reports on a recent $50,000 grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, highlighting continued philanthropic confidence in the Brewer Foundation’s mission and impact.
Beyond its local work, the article also recognizes the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), now marking its 25th anniversary. IPPF is highlighted as a unique global platform that elevates student voices through written advocacy and live debate, with record participation and an ongoing partnership with New York University—demonstrating the Foundation’s growing national and international reach.
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Brewer Foundation Receives $50,000 Grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation to Support Future Leaders Program
Dallas, Texas — December 15, 2025 – The Brewer Foundation today announced it received a $50,000 grant from the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation to its Future Leaders Program (FLP). The grant will support academic instruction, leadership development, and experiential learning opportunities for FLP students – advancing the program’s mission to prepare young people for higher education and long-term success.
Founded in 2001, the Future Leaders Program is a flagship academic and leadership initiative of the Brewer Foundation, the philanthropic affiliate of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. The FLP serves more than 200 students, ages 12–18, from urban communities within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) at no cost. Through year-round academic courses, leadership training, and exposure to a wide range of cultural programs, FLP helps prepare its “future leaders” for college and beyond.
FLP is the first public-private partnership of its kind in the country – drawing professionals, resources, and inspiration from DISD and four independent school partners: The Hockaday School, St. Mark’s School of Texas, the Episcopal School of Dallas, and Greenhill School.
“We are honored to receive this generous support from the King Foundation,” said William A. Brewer III, Chairman of the Brewer Foundation. “This grant strengthens our impact and sends an important message to FLP students: the community believes in them and the promise they hold to achieve great things.”
The Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation, a long-standing philanthropic leader in North Texas, West Texas, and Arkansas, supports charitable initiatives that strengthen communities and expand opportunity. Guided by the values of compassion, opportunity, integrity, and stewardship, the Foundation has awarded transformative grants for more than six decades to organizations creating meaningful and lasting community impact.
“We’re proud to partner with the Brewer Foundation and support the Future Leaders Program,” said Kim Davis, CEO of the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation. “FLP is creating real access and opportunity for young people, and that kind of long-term investment in students and their potential is exactly the work our Foundation exists to fuel.”
Since 2009, FLP seniors have received more than $20 million in scholarship offers. Alumni have graduated from elite colleges and universities, including New York University, Yale University, Northwestern University, Colby College, Pomona College, The University of Texas at Austin, Southern Methodist University, and Texas Christian University. The most recent FLP graduating class received more than $2.5 million in scholarships and awards.
“Support from the King Foundation validates our mission and allows us to expand our impact,” said Ian Shaw, President of the Brewer Foundation. “This partnership helps us light a pathway to college for FLP students and deepen our service to the community.”
About the Brewer Foundation
Now celebrating its 30-year anniversary, the Brewer Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors. The Foundation empowers students through education equity, mentorship, and global debate. It breaks barriers, amplifies voices, and champions the art of advocacy for lasting change. A 501(c)(3) private foundation, the Brewer Foundation supports a range of community initiatives, with a special emphasis on developing, overseeing, and funding education programs, including the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Brewer Foundation/New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). For more information: www.brewerattorneys.com/foundation
About the Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation
Carl B. and Florence E. King Foundation started the Foundation that bears their names in 1966. Established through gifts from the Kings, as well as their daughter, Dorothy, the Foundation has grown to more than $115 million in assets. The Foundation distributes more than $3.5 million per year through grants and direct charitable activities to charities serving residents of four counties in North Texas, 15 counties in West Texas, and 19 counties in Arkansas. Foundation grants span multiple categories including the arts, education, and social services for the elderly, children and low-income people. For more information: www.kingfoundation.com.
The Dallas Morning News Reports on Brewer Foundation, 30 Years of Partnership and Service
December 10, 2025 — The Dallas Morning News today published an in-depth feature celebrating the Brewer Foundation's 30th anniversary, focusing on the students whose lives have been transformed by its educational initiatives.
In the article, "How a Dallas Nonprofit Built Education Pathways from Oak Cliff to New York and Beyond," the publication traces the impact of the Brewer Foundation’s flagship programs: the Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF).
The story notes that the FLP now serves more than 200 Dallas ISD students, who attend rigorous, year-round Saturday classes. Those classes are taught by both public and private school educators and are held on the campuses of the program’s private-school partners: The Episcopal School of Dallas, St. Mark’s School of Texas, The Greenhill School, and The Hockaday School.
The article recounts how one former FLP student, Efraín Vera, received a full-ride scholarship to New York University, launching a career that led him to become a commercial litigator at a major law firm. Vera credited the FLP with altering the course of his life.
Vera stated, “If it wasn’t for FLP, I probably wouldn’t be where I am right now.”
The article includes remarks from David Baad, the Ann and Lee Hobson Family Head of School at the Episcopal School of Dallas. According to the article, for Baad, participating in the FLP "exemplifies the school’s religious identity: service to the community alongside academic excellence."
“We are strengthened as an institution when we engage in public-private partnerships,” Baad said. “Anytime our teachers can learn and partner with teachers in different environments, our teaching is strengthened, and our students benefit from that.”
Reflecting on the success of the Foundation's initiatives, Chairman Bill Brewer shared, “It’s been the best thing we’ve done in the last 25 years. We were in many ways lucky to have gotten involved in the community.”
Looking ahead, the Foundation remains focused on expanding opportunities for students nationwide. According to The Dallas Morning News, plans are underway for a potential new FLP program in New York City, extending the promise of educational access and upward mobility to even more students.