Arena Community,

When I was running for President, I knew our movement needed to include people from all different backgrounds and from every part of our country who were ready for bold change.

Our team started out with four people. As it grew swiftly to a staff of hundreds, again and again, we hired alumni from Arena. Most graduates were need-based scholarship recipients, women, and people of color. They brought their experience and expertise to our campaign -- and together we changed the trajectory of our country’s politics.

Arena holds a special place in my heart. My friend Swati -- who also served as my National Investment Chair during the campaign -- co-founded Arena as a way to expand and train a diverse group of changemakers.

Swati and I met nearly two decades ago in college and bonded over our shared desire to make the world a more welcoming and inclusive place.

We knew the stakes back then were high -- but now they have gotten higher still. Yet today, thanks to the hard work of activists and organizers who opened the doors for people like us, we can work to tackle today’s problems by recruiting and empowering nontraditional staffers and diversifying the field of current and future leadership in politics and advocacy.

If you think we need a new, more diverse generation to fight for the truest vision of America, please support Arena by giving $17 (their average) or whatever you can to broaden the progressive talent pipeline.

The very ring on my finger proves that America is capable of change. We need to embrace that spirit of progress and belonging if we’re going to survive as a country. Transforming our institutions by making public service more open to nontraditional candidates and staff is step one.

I hope you’ll pitch in and help us live up to the promise of America by ensuring our leadership is as diverse as our electorate.

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