Veritas-Bound: Help a Promising Student Reach Her Dream

My name is Heaven Jordan, and I’m proud to be a scholar in the Veritas Debate Institute Class of 2026. But this opportunity is about far more than debate—it represents a path to purpose, belonging, and growth that I’ve been searching for my entire life.

Formerly known as the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, Veritas is a Saturday school that trains exceptional low-income students in Metro Atlanta over the course of twelve months. We study philosophy, law, public forum debate, rhetoric, and other social sciences, culminating in a Harvard summer residency and an international debate competition—one Veritas has won every year since its founding. The impact is undeniable. The training is elite. But that’s not the only reason I applied.

Many programs could strengthen my college applications or prepare me for a career as a child advocate attorney—that journey is still unfolding. What drew me to Veritas was the promise of community.

As a high-achieving student, I’ve often felt isolated. I was the one who “messed up the curve,” the name called too often on awards day. To some, these weren’t accomplishments—they were reasons to resent me. There were even moments I downplayed my own potential, just to fit in.

But I’ve grown. Thanks to the unwavering support of my family—both by blood and by bond—I’ve learned that being my full, successful self sometimes means standing alone. And yet, I believe I won’t have to stand alone forever.

Veritas is a place where scholarship and culture aren’t separated, but celebrated together. Where I won’t be isolated as a “try hard” for loving books and academic success. Where excellence isn’t mistaken for arrogance, but seen as commitment, courage, and community. That is what I’m investing in. And that is what I’m asking you to invest in, too.

Not just to take me to Harvard. Not just to add another Black woman lawyer to the world. But to help me finally step into my purpose—with the tools, the training, and the tribe to change lives. First one, my own.

Note: Funds will be used to cover tuition, uniform, supplies, and other expenses that relate to Veritas.