Arena Community,

In an industry that typically relies on self-guided learning (to put it charitably), we want campaign staff to have the training and community they need to be successful this campaign cycle and beyond.

That’s why today we’re announcing Arena Academy 201, a series of advanced-level trainings for campaign professionals.

All trainings are completely free. Anyone can apply, but priority is given to people actively working on campaigns in our 2020 target states of Arizona, Florida, Michigan, North Carolina or Texas.

Trainings vary from half days and evenings to two-day sessions, focus on common campaign topics, and take place on Zoom. As with traditional Arena Academies, attendees will learn from experts, connect with peers, and work through real-life problems.

We’re packing the schedule leading up to this fall. Our first training, on changing campaign plans for crises like Coronavirus, takes place virtually on July 18.

If you’re on an electoral campaign, please take five minutes or less to check out the full calendar and apply to one or more trainings.

If you are not on an electoral campaign, help us strengthen the Democratic talent pipeline by sharing on social media. Arena Academy 201 is already getting buzz on podcasts and from grads. By sharing with people who aren’t on our email list, you can ensure we reach the full political ecosystem.

I wish we’d had Arena Academy 201 when I was coming up. Working for the Obama campaign and administration, I got a chance to learn from incredible mentors at the highest levels -- but many equally deserving peers didn’t, especially folks who worked on state and local races where institutional Democratic support is spread thin.

Arena Academy 201 is changing that by creating a space for campaign staff on races of all sizes to keep learning. It’s what we need to ensure that Democrats are competitive in every district at every level.

I don’t just want us to win in November -- I want us to win every seat, every year, full stop. But we can only do that when early-career campaign professionals have access to the same resources as the most privileged senior staffers. Take five minutes to apply for yourself or share with a friend in politics.

Best,
Ravi

Other news from the Arena community:

• We did a deep dive on the efficacy and outcomes of Arena Academy from its inception in 2019 to today. Download the Academy in Review report >>
   
• Arena fellow Judge Lina Hidalgo and Arena Academy graduate (now running for Virginia Governor) Del. Jennifer Carroll Foy spoke about how Arena prepared them for the challenges they’re addressing now - like facing off against Texas Gov. Abbott on Coronavirus mask policies. Watch the video on Facebook >>
   
• We launched the Arena Alumni Network to support Academy grads’ professional growth and solidify the community with networking and mentorship opportunities, exclusive events, product demos and one-on-one career planning.
   
• Shoutout to Academy grads Mauree Turner and her Campaign Manager Aaron Wilder, who just won the Democratic nomination for Oklahoma House District 88. Mauree is a queer Muslim Black woman, so winning this election (in the Bible Belt) is especially impressive. Go Mauree and Aaron!