In an era of fleeting soundbites and digital noise, true oratory is a dying art. But in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a sixteen-year-old is proving that the power of a well-spoken word remains undiminished.
Niles Haymer II, a student at Baton Rouge Magnet High School, has won the inaugural National Oratorical Competition hosted by the 100 Black Men of America in New York City, claiming first place with a speech titled “What Leadership Means To Me”.
For Haymer, the victory was not about volume but conviction. “I really felt the words of that speech,” he said. “Leadership isn’t about being the loudest person in the room. It’s about believing in what you’re saying enough that people want to listen”.
His address wove together the national organisation’s theme, “Rooted in Mission. Strengthened by Unity. Shaping the Future,” and challenged his peers to embrace leadership through service and solidarity. The judges, clearly moved, awarded him the top prize.
Haymer’s journey to the national stage was paved by mentorship. He credits his passion for public speaking to his involvement as a mentee in the 100 Black Men of Metro Baton Rouge’s Project Excel programme, which focuses on middle and high school Black male students, teaching life skills, improving academic outcomes and developing citizenship.
He also acknowledges the crucial preparation he received from his oratory coach, Jeremey L. Blunt, an empowerment speaker with the organisation.
The win is the latest in a string of accomplishments for the young Haymer. In 2025, he represented his local chapter in the African American History Challenge and also won the Baton Rouge Bar Association’s Law Day Essay Contest. His parents have spoken of their son’s deep-seated passion for leadership and service, and his desire to use his voice to make a positive impact on his community and school.
At just sixteen, Niles Haymer II has already learned a lesson that many spend a lifetime grasping: that true leadership is not about being the loudest, but about being the most believed. And with a national title to his name, it is clear that his voice is one that people are ready to listen to.
