Founded in 2020, the Bluegrass Debate Coalition (BDC) strives to make competitive debate available to every middle and high school student in Kentucky. Debate increases student academic performance, enriches and expands college and career opportunities, and provides the intellectual and networking tools for youth to thrive as active, responsible leaders in their communities.

The BDC hosts after-school debate classes, supports competitive debate opportunities, and works with schools and school districts to build debate teams. Housed in the University of Kentucky’s College of Communication and Information, the BDC is an initiative of UK's award-winning collegiate debate team.