Brewer Foundation Announces IPPF “Top 32” Teams

January 4, 2018 — The Brewer Foundation and New York University are pleased to announce the results of the “Top 64” round of the 17th annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) — the only contest that gives high school students around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

The “Top 32” teams represent schools in 17 U.S. states and 5 foreign countries, including Singapore, China, Taiwan, Kingdom of Bahrain and Slovakia.

This year’s debate topic is, “Resolved: International climate accords for greenhouse gas emissions should adopt binding enforcement mechanisms.” The advancing 32 teams were announced on the IPPF website: https://www.ippfdebate.com.

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Dallas ISD and Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program Renew Partnership

June 28, 2017 — The Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) and the Dallas Independent School District (Dallas ISD) announced a renewed long-term partnership in June 2017. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two groups ensures the continuation of the FLP for at least another five years.

Founded in 2001 by the Brewer Foundation, the FLP is an academic and leadership development program that benefits nearly 250 students, ages 10 – 18, from urban communities within Dallas ISD and more than 60 FLP alumni attending college.

"The FLP embraces the ideal that our city’s future is hugely impacted by opportunities offered to the students of Dallas ISD," said Michael Hinojosa, Dallas ISD superintendent. "This program proves that we can create opportunities for students to help ensure a bright future for each of them and for Dallas. Hopefully, this will inspire others to support our students in meaningful ways."

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Making the Grade: WFAA-TV Profiles Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) Student

January 26, 2017 — WFAA-TV in Dallas aired a report about Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) student Jonathan Murillo and his path to college and acceptance to Yale University.

Murillo has been a part of the FLP since he was in the 5th grade and will be the first person in his family to ever attend college.

The FLP provides academic resources and leadership training to deserving students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD).

Watch the full report here.

Managing Partner William Brewer Writes About the Value of Debate

September 15, 2016 — Managing Partner William Brewer recently wrote a commentary on LinkedIn about the International Public Policy Forum (IPPF) competition, which he founded in 2001. The IPPF is the only high school debate competition that gives students from around the world the opportunity to engage in written and oral debates on issues of public policy.

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NPEA Recognizes Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP)

The National Partnership for Educational Access (NPEA) profiled the Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP) in its September 2016 “Member Spotlight.” 

The NPEA interviewed FLP Director of Academics and Accountability Brittany Brady about the history of the program and its impact on students from the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Founded in 2001, the FLP services DISD students in grades 5-12, and “seeks to develop their leadership and academic skills, as well as guide them through the college admissions process.”

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Dallas Morning News Reports on Firm's Efforts to Support Future Leaders

January 5, 2013 — The Dallas Morning News reports on students taking part in the Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program (FLP), stating that the students are "part of an after-school program whose mission is to cross fault lines between rich and poor, between life south and north of the Trinity River. The program’s charge is to get selected Dallas ISD students into college."

The article, titled "Law firm helps propel needy Dallas ISD students into college as ‘the chosen,'" states that the program is "free for students and funded by a foundation operated by Bickel & Brewer, a 42-lawyer corporate firm where top attorneys earn $1,000 an hour, defending corporations or litigating for them."

“If we are not a country that ensures equal outcomes, how do we ensure equal opportunities?” said Bill Brewer, explaining his motivation for founding the program. 

Students are selected by their teachers for the Dallas program based on grades, school attendance, civic involvement and leadership potential.

“What has been affirmed is that children and young people want to learn and become their very best selves,” said St. Mark’s School of Texas headmaster Arnold Holtberg, who has worked with the FLP since 2001.

To read the full article, click here. 

Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future Leaders Program Showcases Top Leaders

May 13, 2010 — Dallas Weekly reports that nine high school seniors participating in the Bickel & Brewer Foundation Future leaders Program (FLP) have received over $1 million in scholarships and over 25 college acceptance letters. In addition, FLP seniors Semmey Neguse and Efrain Vera received the prestigious Gates Milennium Scholarship. 

The FLP's Class of 2010 was honored at a recognition ceremony, held April 29, at The Black Academy of Arts and Letters. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins shared the keynote address — "encouraging the students to work hard to achieve their goals." 

The article states that the "ever-growing" FLP provides "premium academic instruction and specialized leadership training for 160 students, fifth through twelfth grade, from Oak Cliff, South Dallas and East Dallas." The program benefits from a collaboration between public and private school teachers.

According to the article, the FLP's graduating class has committed to institutions such as Morehouse College, The University of North Texas, and The University of Houston. 

The Palm Beach Post: A Friendly War of Words

April 17, 2010 — The Palm Beach Post reports that two Palm Beach County high school teams have advanced to the oral debate finals of the Bickel & Brewer / New York University International Public Policy Forum (IPPF). The teams have won an all-expenses paid trip to New York City, where the "stakes are high," with teams competing for a $10,000 grand prize.

The publication reports that the IPPF is the first and only debate contest in which high school students participate in written and oral debates on public policy. During the 2009-10 contest, more than 230 teams from around the world submitted qualifying round essays on whether the United Nations should substantially increase humanitarian aid for people in poverty. 

"Sometimes you have to go through hundreds of law papers or scholarly documents to find a single concept or quote we need to argue," said Grace Lee, a 16-year-old Atlantic High School junior. "I'm definitely nervous. We have some hard competition." 

Scott Epstein, who coaches the Atlantic team, told the publication he's proud of his students.

"Nothing surprises me with this group of kids," he said. "I expect great things from them."