African-American high-school and collegiate students competed Wednesday night in Buffalo’s second annual Black History Month Oratorical competition. This year’s topic was, “Are we still feeling the effects of slavery, or do we live in a time when black men and women have equal opportunity to succeed?”
WBFO's Nick Lippa produced an audio postcard of the students’ speeches to the backing of former UB professor and legendary jazz bassist Charles Mingus’ Freedom.
The event was organized by Duncan Kirkwood and held at the Northland Workforce Training Center.
A total of $1,000 in cash prizes was split amongst the winners.
Watch Rahim Dunston (16) of Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts who finished in first place:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4irFsGzUvM&feature=youtu.be
You can listen to the speeches below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJtbyTS6wTE&feature=youtu.be
