Ready to Lead®
Ready to Lead® is our signature training program. It identifies the immigrant experience as an asset in civic leadership.
Ready to Lead® identifies the immigrant experience as an asset in civic leadership. The curriculum, specifically designed by New Americans, shows trainees how to message, fundraise, and embrace one’s heritage to become a successful candidate.
At Ready to Lead®, you will:
- Write a compelling stump speech rooted in 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 to help people like you get elected and appointed does not end at Ready to Lead®. As a Ready to Lead® alum, you will have access to one-on-one coaching. Through individualized support, you will be prepared to declare your candidacy.
Upcoming Trainings
2023 Schedule
New Americans made history in 2022. Now as we look ahead, we are thrilled to open our 2023 Ready to Lead® training application to prepare the next cohort of trailblazing leaders!
Like you, New American Leaders continues to closely monitoring the news and government updates for guidance on the coronavirus (COVID-19). But our work to empower New Americans and people of color to run, win, and lead continues. If you have any questions about our COVID-19 safety protocols, please let us know.
Applications for our 2023 programs are open now so apply today!
Ready to Lead® 2023 Training Dates, Information Sessions, and Deadlines:
There is a $150 registration fee if accepted. Your registration fee covers food and all program materials. Declared candidates can apply, but must pay the market rate fee of $250.
NAL helps offset the cost associated with travel by providing all non-declared participants with hotel accommodations in any state. NAL also awards registration scholarships.
Midwest Regional Training in Michigan
- Training Dates: February 24-26th
- Information Session: January 9th at 8:00 PM ET; Register
- Priority Application Deadline: January 16th at 11:59 PM ET; Apply now
- Final Application Deadline: January 30th at 11:59 PM ET; Apply now
National Women’s Training in Arizona
- Training Dates: March 24-26th
- Information Session: February 13th at 8:00 PM ET; Register
- Priority Application Deadline: February 20th at 11:59 PM ET; Apply now
- Final Application Deadline: March 6th at 11:59 PM ET; Apply now
AAPI Rising Training in the DC/Maryland/Virginia Area
- Training Dates: April 28-30th
- Information Session: March 13th at 8:00 PM ET; Register
- Priority Application Deadline: March 20th at 11:59 PM ET; Apply now
- Final Application Deadline: April 3rd at 11:59 PM; Apply now
Rising to Run Training in New York City
Rising to Run is an initiative focused on providing a support and growth system for women who’ve lost their elections. This cohort-based program will provide a space for women to grieve, build community, and strategize to run again and win. A series of sessions will tackle messaging, fundraising, voter outreach, and explore what worked for their campaigns and what did not. Participants will then prepare for their next run for office. Note: You must be a woman that has run for election and lost to be considered for this training.
- Training Dates: May 19-21st
- Information Session: April 3rd at 8:00 PM ET; Register
- Priority Application Deadline: April 10th at 11:59 PM ET; Apply now
- Final Application Deadline: April 17th at 11:59 PM; Apply now
Southwest Regional Training in Colorado
Past Trainings
In 2022, we are proud to have trained over 130 New Americans across the country. Keep an eye on these incredible leaders — they’re here to shake up politics as usual and change the face of leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions
The registration fee is $150. Scholarships are available, and can only be requested when filling out the Ready to Lead® application. Hotel scholarships are available for people attending a training outside of their metro region. Please note that the hotel lodging is a SHARED room with another participant.
For declared candidates, the cost of registration is $250. No scholarships of any kind can be provided to declared candidates.
You will learn many things! Some of them are: how to use your story and experiences to elevate your values, how to convey your values to voters, how to create a successful stump speech, fundraising in campaigns, campaigning 101, 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 as new Americans. You will learn firsthand what it is like to be on the campaign trail.
An open mind and something to take notes on (if that’s your thing).
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®.
You should take Ready to Lead® ASAP! Alumni of Ready to Lead® who are planning to run in the next 1-2 years are invited to apply for our advanced campaign skills bootcamp called Ready to Win®.
That’s OK! Everyone has a different timeline in their path toward public leadership. Ready to Lead® provides you with the tools to plan out the next steps. Whether your next step is working for a candidate, issue campaign or running for office NAL can help.
During the training you will have the opportunity to speak in front of others, develop your personal narrative and learn how to make your message relate 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, so participants without an immigrant background will not be able participate as fully as those who can look back to 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, and 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.
You must indicate that you are requesting a scholarship in the Ready to Lead® application, and write an explanation of your need for financial assistance.
No, NAL does not offer any financial assistance for travel to or from Ready to Lead® trainings.