SpeakUp!
We’re a student-run nonprofit organization based in Marin County aimed at providing public speaking classes and opportunities for younger students.
Every Voice Heard
According to the National Institute of Health, about 77% of the general public has a fear of public speaking. On the other hand, public speaking is considered a life skill used in classroom discussions, any kind of presentation, interviews, and more. Our mission at SpeakUp! is to build a space to feel comfortable trying new things. We know that a relationship with public speaking is lifelong but starting to build confidence at a young age is crucial for finding the importance of speaking up about everything you care about.
Public speaking is often best taught and exercised in theater classes in middle school but expected in many other classes such as english. A lack of school funding means that art classes are slashed first, causing great access disparities. We hope that providing free speech courses in community settings, we will encourage a strong community of young voices!
Our 2025-2026 Locations
San Anselmo Library
We are extremely grateful for our continued partnership with the San Anselmo Library. Our first program of the fall will be at the San Anselmo Library starting in September. The class will be every Saturday from 3-4 PM and led by Ashley Wang and Keo Robinson. We will be focusing on impromptu speaking, dramatic interpretation, and general presentation skills. All middle school students are welcome with no experience necessary. Please refer to the San Anselmo library webpage or email jwaskey@sananselmo.gov for registration.
San Rafael Downtown Library
Due to construction in San Anselmo, our fall program has moved to the San Rafael library. Returning and new students are all welcome. This program will continue into the spring and will prepare students for the Margie Burke Speech Tournament (competition is not required for participation, but highly recommended). Please email briannac@cityofsanrafael.org for registration.
Our Summer 2025 Locations
Bridge the Gap
We are hosting 4 summer classes in July at Bridge the Gap, a nonprofit focused on the Marin City community. These classes will be led by Ashley Wang. All levels of experience are welcomed! NOTE: All participants in this program must be participants of Bridge the Gap’s summer program.
Karma Club
Our August summer program led by Ashley Wang and Elsie Chamberlain is in collaboration with the Karma Club’s summer camp (in the afternoon). Join us at the Karma Club in Northgate Mall to learn more about impromptu speaking and public speaking tips/tricks. NOTE: All participants in this program must be participants of the Karma Club camp during the day.
St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church
Our second August summer program led by Ashley Wang and Elsie Chamberlain will be held at the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church. Please fill out this form for signup. Our class will take place from 4-5:30 PM on August 11th, 12th and 14th.
Our 2024-2025 Locations
Belvedere Tiburon Library
San Anselmo Library
Fairfax Library
We are so excited to be launching our second program at the Belvedere Tiburon Library in January-March 2025! We are welcoming returning and new students to this session to build off of skills taught in the fall. Please refer to beltiblib.libnet.info/event/12522311 (or click on the photo) for more information and registration. We can’t wait to see you there!
Our second location is at the San Anselmo Library January-March 2025! All levels of experience are welcome for this course where we will start with the basics of impromptu speaking and then dive deeper into certain aspects such as storytelling. Please email library@sananselmo.gov or ashley@speakupmarin.org for the course details and description!
We are so excited to be starting our third spring SpeakUp! session at the Fairfax library in May 2025! Please visit https://marinlibrary.bibliocommons.com/events/67e5bed14225953e00168089. In the meantime, email ashley@speakupmarin.org if interested.
SpeakUp! 