Gabe Cook is DKC's Director and has been with the organization since 2004. His decade plus of debate experience has made him a proud an advocate of debate. “Our mission is to expand access to debate for urban students because it improves critical thinking skills, teaches the language of democracy, provides opportunities for college scholarships and rewards rigorous academic competition." In addition to organizational purview and program direction, Gabe plans workshops, runs tournaments and writes curriculum for middle and high school students. Gabe believes in the power of debate. “Debate transformed and enlightened me. It increased my awareness of the societal & political structures that shape our world.” He was first distinguished in high school as an All-American debater for Neosho High School, while at Missouri State he was a four-time qualifier to the collegiate National Debate Tournament. Since then, Gabe’s work experience has expanded his expertise and reinforced his devotion to debate. “I am thrilled to know my work provides the tools of speech, critical thinking and argumentation.”

 Isaac Allen is Program Coordinator for DKC and successfully helped launch the nation’s only Middle School Student Congress program. His passion for debate dates back to high school, where he qualified for the National Forensic League’s national tournament in both policy debate and student congress. His varied debate expertise makes him an asset to all 33 member schools. Isaac has a gift for working with teachers & students and spends much of his time visiting DKC schools for presentations, skill building sessions and debate judging. Isaac graduated from Missouri State University in Springfield. As an assistant for the Bears’ debate team, he coached the 2006 Novice National Champions. As a collegiate competitor, Isaac won the National Junior Division Debate Tournament. Isaac has a great debate mind and is very excited to work with DKC students and coaches. He believes “debate is a pathway to success for students of all ages. Watching younger students, as we expand into middle schools, meet the challenge of argument through critical thinking has fortified my belief in the power of debate to revolutionize learning.”