Ready to Lead®
Ready to Lead® is our signature training program that identifies the immigrant experience as a valuable asset in civic leadership.
Our curriculum, thoughtfully designed by New Americans, shows trainees how to message, fundraise, and embrace their heritage to become successful candidates.
At Ready to Lead®, you will:
- Write a compelling stump speech rooted in your values.
- Learn grassroots fundraising tactics from other elected officials.
- Practice messaging techniques and pivoting strategies.
- Engage with New American leaders from across the country.
Our support doesn’t end at Ready to Lead®. As an alum, you will have access to one-on-one coaching to help you prepare to declare your candidacy.
Are you ready to make a difference? Apply now!
Upcoming Trainings
Ready to Lead® Southwest (Aurora, CO): January 30th to February 1st, 2026
- Info Session: November 13, 2025; Register here.
- Priority Deadline to Apply: November 20, 2025. Apply here.
- Final Deadline to Apply: December 4, 2025. Apply here.
Ready to Lead® National Women’s Training (New York, NY): February 27th to March 1st, 2026
- Info Session: December 9, 2025; Register here.
- Priority Deadline to Apply: December 15, 2025. Apply here.
- Final Deadline to Apply: January 8, 2026. Apply here.
Ready to Lead® AAPI (Atlanta, GA): March 27th-29th, 2026
- Info Session: January 7, 2026; Info Session Registration Link Coming Soon
- Priority Deadline to Apply: January 12, 2026. Apply here.
- Final Deadline to Apply: February 2, 2026. Apply here.
Ready to Lead® Midwest (Detroit, MI): April 10th-12th, 2026
- Info Session: January 21, 2026; Info Session Registration Link Coming Soon
- Priority Deadline to Apply: January 26, 2026. Apply here.
- Final Deadline to Apply: February 9, 2026. Apply here.
Ready to Lead® Central Valley (Fresno, CA): May 1st-3rd, 2026
- Info Session: February 11, 2026; Info Session Registration Link Coming Soon
- Priority Deadline to Apply: February 17, 2026. Apply here.
- Final Deadline to Apply: March 2, 2026. Apply here.
Past Trainings
In 2025, we were proud to welcome over 255 new alumni into our network! Keep an eye on these incredible leaders—they’re here to shake up politics as usual and change the face of leadership.
Since our founding, we have trained over 2,000 New Americans, a majority of whom have gone on to serve in elected office, as government appointees, or as campaign staff.
Frequently Asked Questions
You will learn many things, including how to use your story and immigrant experiences to elevate your values, how to convey your values to voters, how to create a successful stump speech, fundraising in campaigns, and pivoting techniques for hostile media environments. There is also a panel of local New American elected officials who will share their experience running for office, so you can learn firsthand what it is like to be on the campaign trail.
A reusable water bottle, an open mind, and something to take notes on (if that’s your thing).
Yes. While Ready to Lead® days are long and busy, there will be at least two structured breaks each day. Evenings after group dinners are free time. Participants are expected to be at the training from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM on Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturday, and 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM on Sunday.
When you are considering running for office or working on a campaign. If you are considering running in the next 1-3 years, you should take Ready to Lead® as soon as you can so you are eligible to apply for our advanced campaign skills bootcamp called Ready to Win®.
That’s OK! Everyone has a different timeline on their path toward public leadership. Ready to Lead® provides you with the tools to plan out your next steps, whether that’s working for a candidate, an issue campaign, or running for office. NAL can help.
During the training, you will have the opportunity to practice public speaking, develop your personal narrative, and learn how to craft your message to help you relate better to people in your community. You will also be able to meet local New American elected officials.
The training curriculum is especially designed with the immigrant experience in mind. Participants without an immigrant background will not be able to participate as fully as those who can draw on their personal experience as a New American. The training is designed to reframe negative experiences that often happen to people in the immigrant community into positive reasons why you are the ideal public servant. All folks are welcome to apply regardless of immigrant generation or citizenship status.
If you care about working towards a more inclusive democracy, then Ready to Lead® is right for you. This may mean that you want to serve in elected office one day or manage the operations of a campaign or the office of an elected official. If you want to organize and mobilize your community, Ready to Lead® will show you new skills.
If you need accommodation or support of any kind, please let us know on your application form or write to programs@newamericanleaders.org. We will also ask if you have any accommodation needs in the link to register and secure your spot for the training if you are accepted.
To ensure we can meet everyone’s needs, please share any dietary restrictions or preferences in advance of the training.
Note: While we’ll do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, we may not be able to do so if you do not disclose any dietary restrictions during the application process. By providing this information, you acknowledge this and agree to take personal caution
If you have registered for a Ready to Lead® training but can no longer attend, NAL is not able to provide a refund. However, if you want to request to participate in a different Ready to Lead® training, you may use your registration fee for that training.