Dear John,

As we approach the end of the year, we reflect on the incredible progress made by the New American Leaders (NAL) community. In this featured Q&A, Brittany Agostino, a dedicated NAL Board Member, shares her journey of advocacy and the power of connecting and supporting New Americans in politics.

But the work isn’t done. As we look to the future, we need your help to continue building a more representative democracy. Your support is crucial in ensuring that more New Americans can access the training, connections, and resources they need to run for office and create meaningful change in their communities.

From her motivation to elevate immigrant voices to her insights on the transformative impact of NAL’s training and community, Brittany underscores the inspiring power of a vibrant and equitable democracy. Her story also serves as a reminder that all of us - including passionate allies like Brittany - can fight for a future where New Americans are represented and celebrated.

Your contribution will directly help us continue our work, empowering immigrants to take on leadership roles and strengthen the political landscape.

Read on to learn more about how Brittany and NAL are working together to create lasting change in our political system.

Warmly,
Michelle Munjanattu
Senior Manager of Institutional Giving
New American Leaders

Q: What socio-political challenges did you observe before getting involved with New American Leaders (NAL)? What did you want to change?

A: A main focus of why I wanted to get involved in the organization is because I was concerned that in a heated political climate that spent a fair amount of time discussing immigration, there was a notable lack of New Americans own voices discussing their experience in the United States.

Q: What motivated you to take action? How is being part of the NAL community helping you make change?

A: I joined the board because I felt ready to increase my commitment to this cause, and was matched up via work with BoardLead. BoardLead is an organization that matches individuals seeking to increase their commitment to nonprofit boards needing members. Through that process, I was able to search for nonprofits that advocate for first generation immigrants, and the mission of empowering them to run for office really spoke to me.

Q: What have you learned from your journey with NAL?

A: I learned that the power of New American leaders is not only in the training they provide, and the voices of the New Americans, but in the connections and support the candidates make with one another.

Q: What are your hopes for the future?

A: My hopes for the future are that a vibrant alumni base of New American Leaders continue to inspire the next generation to advocate for their communities and continue to run for office, and the number of individuals in office grows.

Q: How can others help make a difference?

A: If you’re like me and you want to do more outside of traditional election cycles, I invite you to support the mission of New American Leaders. The most effective way to make a difference is to get involved in the organization, and to donate! Your contribution directly helps in creating a democracy that reflects the broader makeup of the United States.