close btn

Ready to Lead® is our signature training program. It identifies the immigrant experience as an asset in civic leadership.

At New American Leaders we believe the immigrant experience is a valuable asset in civic leadership. Our Ready to Lead® curriculum, thoughtfully 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

2024 Schedule

We are thrilled to open our 2024 Ready to Lead® training application to prepare the next cohort of trailblazing leaders!

Applications for our 2024 programs are open now so apply today!

New American Leaders Training Calendar for 2024

Please note, in order to start your application you must create an account with an email (USE YOUR PERSONAL EMAIL NOT YOUR WORK EMAIL). Then log into your email and verify your account. Please use an email that you check regularly, and DO NOT click “create login with Facebook, Instagram or Google”.


Ready to Lead® 2024 Training Dates, Information Sessions, and Deadlines:

For *in person* trainings, there is a $150 registration fee if accepted. Your registration fee covers food and all program materials. Please complete the scholarship section of the application if you feel that would be a barrier to your participation.

For each training, NAL offers a limited number of scholarships for participants that feel travel and lodging costs may be a barrier to participation. NAL can help offset the cost associated with travel (flight or railroad) and hotel accommodations. Please complete the scholarship section of the application if you feel that would be a barrier to your participation.

If you’re accepted, we’ll let you know what level of scholarship we’re able to offer. If you have other questions as you consider your decision, just email programs@newamericanleaders.org.

Please understand that NAL does not have the means to help all participants with scholarships. If you have been accepted and your acceptance email does not mention that you received a travel, hotel, or registration scholarship, you are responsible for all costs.

Declared Candidates Disclaimer:
Declared candidates are permitted to apply, but must pay the market rate fee of $250. No scholarships of any kind will be available.

Midwest Regional Training in Chicago, Illinois

  • Training Dates: January 26th-28th, 2024
  • Priority Application Deadline: November 6th, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET, Apply today!
  • Final Application Deadline: November 20th, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET 
  • Info session will take place November 3rd at 6:00 PM EST/ 3:00 PST. RSVP here.

Northeast Regional Training in New York City, New York

  • Training Dates: February 23rd-25th, 2024
  • Priority Application Deadline: December 21st, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET, Apply today!
  • Final Application Deadline: January 8th, 2024 at 11:59 PM ET
  • Info session will take place December 11th at 6:00 PM EST/ 3:00 PM PST. RSVP here.

AAPI Women Ready to Lead in Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Training Dates: March 22nd -24th, 2024
  • Priority Application Deadline: January 16th at 11:59 PM ET, Apply today!
  • Final Application Deadline: January 29th at 11:59 PM ET 
  • Info session will take place January 16th at 6:00 PM PST. RSVP here.

Southwest Ready to Lead in Aurora, Colorado

  • Training Dates: April 26th-28th, 2024
  • Priority Deadline: February 28th at 11:59 PM ET, Apply today!
  • Final Deadline: March 11th at 11:59 PM ET
  • Info session will take place February 20th at 6:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM MDT. RSVP here.

AAPI Ready to Lead in Charlotte, North Carolina

  • Training Dates: August 16th-18th, 2024
  • Priority Deadline: June 17th at 11:59 PM ET, Apply today!
  • Final Deadline: July 1st at 11:59 PM ET 
  • Info session will take place June 11th at 6:00 PM EST/ 3:00 PM PST. RSVP here.

You must indicate a top choice training to attend. We highly encourage you to apply to the training closest to you. We suggest you apply by the priority deadline for your top choice training. 

If your top choice training is outside of your metro region, we ask that you apply by the priority deadline. The priority deadline helps give additional time to book travel and make arrangements to be away from home for the weekend.

Past Trainings

In 2023, we are proud to have trained over 127 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. Registration scholarships are available, and can only be requested when filling out the Ready to Lead® application. Hotel and travel scholarships are available for people attending a training at least 45 away from the training venue. 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.

In the Ready to Lead ® application, there is a section to apply for registration, hotel and travel scholarships. Please understand that NAL does not have the means to help all participants with scholarships. If you have been accepted and your acceptance email does not mention that you received a travel, hotel, or registration scholarship, you are responsible for all costs.

You will learn many things! Some of them are: 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, 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.

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 and 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®.

In 2023, we are proud to have trained over 127 New Americans across the country. Since the founding of our organization, we have trained over 1,750 New Americans, a majority of whom have gone on to serve in elected office from school board to Congress, as government appointees, or as campaign staff. Keep an eye on these incredible leaders — they’re here to shake up politics as usual and change the face of leadership.

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 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, 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 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.

You must indicate that you are requesting a scholarship in the Ready to Lead® application, and write a short explanation of your need for financial assistance.

If you are accepted, your acceptance email will indicate which scholarships you have received. 

For each training, NAL offers a limited number of scholarships for participants that feel travel and lodging costs may be a barrier to participation. NAL can help offset the cost associated with travel (flight or rail road) and hotel accommodations. Please complete the scholarship section of the application if you feel that would be a barrier to your participation. 

The travel scholarship comes in the form of a stipend up to $300 to be sent via check or direct deposit to the participant AFTER completion of the training. The participant must send a  W-9 and receipts from travel costs to receive the stipend. If submitting a W-9 or the upfront payment for travel would be a barrier for you, please reach out to NAL as soon as possible at programs@newamericanleaders.org. NAL has limited

If you’re accepted, we’ll let you know what level of scholarship we’re able to offer. If you have other questions as you consider your decision, just email programs@newamericanleaders.org.

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 upon if you are accepted in the link to register and secure your spot for the training.

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. 

ARE YOU READY TO LEAD?

APPLY NOW