Arena Community,

There’s no degree that will teach you how to work on a campaign, but there is Arena Academy. Apply to the Sept. Arena Academy by this Sun., Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

On campaigns, effective strategies and tactics change cycle to cycle and often are learned on the job. That’s why many of our trainers are not just experts in their field, but current practitioners. They train on tried and tested practices as well as the most recent innovations.

Today, I’m excited to share a few of our brilliant trainers who will be at the September Arena Academy. Apply today for an opportunity to learn from them.

Esosa Osa | Research and Policy Director, Fair Fight Action

Esosa Osa is the Research and Policy Director at Fair Fight Action, a voting rights organization founded by Stacey Abrams, where she leads the organization’s national and Georgia-based policy portfolio, opposition and disinformation research, polling, and rapid response efforts. 

Esosa will lead the plenary session Combatting Misinformation and Disinformation. 

Dr. Kira Hudson Banks | Associate Professor of Psychology & Co-Founder Institute for Healing Justice and Equity, Saint Louis University

Dr. Kira Hudson Banks has been working to support individuals and groups to understand themselves, others, and systems of oppression for over 20 years. Her teaching, research, and community involvement is rooted in the values of Black Psychology which uplifts the interconnectedness and resilience of people and rejects an individual and deficit approach. Banks’ served as a racial equality consultant for the Ferguson Commission and continued as the Racial Equity Catalyst for Forward Through Ferguson. Her thinking and writing have helped frame racial equity in the St. Louis region. 

Dr. Banks will lead the plenary session Beyond Unconscious Bias

Hari Sevugan| Founding Partner Narrator Message and Media
Hari Sevugan, the co-founder of Narrator Message and Media, has played a leading role on some of the most-watched races in the country over the last 15 years. Named one of Politico’s “Top 50 Politicos to Watch,” Hari has helped to elect Gov. Kaine, Gov. O’Malley, Rep. Khanna, Rep. Jayapal, and pass ballot initiatives to enact automatic voter registration and restore voting rights, among others. Most recently, Hari served as Deputy Campaign Manager on Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign where he oversaw message and media. Hari served as a senior spokesman for Obama for America and was appointed DNC National Press Secretary during the Obama administration.

Hari will lead the Communications track and train on Core Message and Values.

Elis Ribeiro | Chief of Staff at House Majority PAC

Elis Ribeiro has over 10 years of experience working in Democratic politics. She has served as the Chief Operating Officer at House Majority PAC since 2015. Prior to joining House Majority PAC, she served as the Operations Director of the DCCC’s Independent Expenditure. In the 2012 cycle, she served as a Regional Operations Director at Obama for America, President Obama's national re-election campaign.

Elis will lead a session for the Finance Track on Budget and Cash Flow

Greg Jackson | Executive Director at Community Justice Action Fund

In his current role, Greg Jackson works with communities, elected officials, community leaders, and impacted residents every day to advocate for proactive and preventative solutions to end gun violence across the nation. Greg began working in the political arena as a community organizer and then campaign operative for President Barack Obama through various roles, including the Co-Chair of DC for Obama, the Field Director of Obama’s North Carolina re-election efforts, the Gun Violence Issue Coordinator at Organizing for Action, and lastly as the National Field Director at the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Two lucky Arena Cup teams will be coached by Greg. 

Jessica Lanyadoo | Founder of Zodiac the Vote

At our September Academy, celebrated astrologer and Zodiac the Vote Founder, Jessica Lanyadoo, will illuminate us on all things astrology, digital organizing, and movement work.

Jessica will host a happy hour. 

This list only scratches the surface of the best-in-class trainers at September’s Arena Academy and the topics we cover. Data Track participants will learn to write their (possibly first) lines of code, Digital Track participants will learn how to run digital ads, Organizing Track participants will learn how to recruit and mobilize volunteers, and so much more.

The September Arena Academy is an incredible opportunity to learn from talented trainers, join a supportive community, and find your place in progressive politics. 

Apply before the deadline, this Sun. Aug. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

If Arena Academy is not for you, spread the word by forwarding this email, or sharing on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

I’m excited to review your application! 

Lauren Baer
Arena Managing Partner