Inclusv offers a variety of trainings and virtual discussions that provide our members with the knowledge and skills they need to reach their full potential, while simultaneously removing the shroud of mystery that traditionally surrounds many political career paths. This page contains some of our recent trainings, as well as additional resources you can use to learn more about the training topic. If you would like to see a training on a subject we have not covered, please email Moonyoung@Inclusv.com. If you are interested in partnering with Inclusv for a training with your organization or group, email Partnerships@Inclusv.com.

Recent Inclusv Trainings

Virtual Q&A with Neal Carter: A conversation on consulting, campaigns, and disability (July 2019)
For this conversation we were joined by Neal Carter, Founder and Principal of Nu View Consulting, the only consulting firm that is both Black and Disabled owned. We covered a wide range of topics, from getting started in consulting, to Nu View’s history, and the importance of mentoring those coming behind us. Watch the recording here!

Networking Training (July 2019)
What is the difference between networking and networks? How can I maintain my current networks? These are all common questions that many workers, new and veterans, have around networking. Check out our latest Networking Training to find the answers!Watch the recording here.

Finding Your First Job in Politics (June 2019)
Interested in starting a career in politics? Check out this webinar which covers what political jobs are available, how you can get started, and industry trends that you should be aware of.Watch the recording here.

Negotiating a Job Offer (May 2019)

Negotiating a job offer can be stressful and tricky. Check out our webinar for tips on how to navigate and hold meaningful conversations with the hiring manager.

Watch our recording Negotiating a Job Offer here.

Learn about the Kairos Fellowship (April 2019)

The Kairos Fellowship is a eight-month, paid, digital-tech fellowship for people of color! During this session, we hear from Kairos Program Manager, Eric Borja, and 2018 Kairos Fellow, Shireen Nori, about how you can apply, what the program entails of, and more.

Watch our recording of the Kairos Fellowship here.

Deadline to apply to the Kairos Fellowship is Friday, April 19th. Submit your application here.

Learning How to Manage Campaigns with Blue Leadership Collaborative (March 2019)

Emmy Ruiz talks to Inclusv members about the Blue Leadership Collaborative, a paid, pilot fellowship that trains women and people of color for a period of three months on how to become campaign managers.

Deadline to apply for the Blue Leadership Collaborative is March 15, 2019. Apply here.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/ptvuw468x497/

Building Financial Security

Financial planning and wealth management is an often overlooked subject that doesn’t get the attention it deserves, but we aim to change that. Hear from our special guest Gerald Loftin, the President of the Association of African American Financial Advisors, and the Principal of Proficient Wealth Counselors, LLC, share his thoughts and advice for those seeking to build long-term financial stability.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pj4s0vqo3cc3/

Tips and Resources:

  • Have a clear understanding of your budgeting, what is coming in, what needs to be supplemented.
  • At a minimum, you should aim for three months of Emergency Savings. Note that this is not the same as your retirement savings.
  • Do not charge your credit card more than 50% of your line of credit because it will negatively impact your credit score.
  • Whether you decide to buy or rent depends on a handful of factors including how often you move, the associated costs of homeownership such as real estate tax, and if you want to live in that home for the long-run.
  • Association of African American Financial Advisors: http://www.aaafainc.com/
  • Credit Karma: https://www.creditkarma.com/
  • Turbo Tax: https://turbotax.intuit.com/

Building a Successful Career as a Woman of Color

Ashley Robinson, Founder and Principal of the BLUE Institute, covers a diverse set of topics, including the challenges that she has faced as a woman of color and how she’s overcome them, and building your career when you are in a red or purple state.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/plcst4s0enii/

Tips and Resources:

  • Q: What advice do you have for a woman of  color who is starting her career? A: “That are you really dope. You have a unique set of skills that is applicable to a number of industries. You are worth every minute, and every minute of being supported in your organization….To not give up, you are going to get a whole lot of nos before you get any yeses. But just to continue to believe in yourself. Believe in yourself….Take care of yourself and take care of one another.” – Ashley Robinson
  • Establish house rules for your team.
  • Whatever your role is on the team, you are there for a reason.
  • Find opportunities to celebrate one another and celebrate one another’s differences.
  • In diversity and inclusion hiring efforts, you are still running into roadblocks. Hiring people of color and then silencing them when it comes to different policies does not make a difference. What we need is diversity of thought.
  • It is on the onus of leadership on whether or not they want other women to succeed, because they are in a position of power to create spaces for women of color and other marginalized communities in the workplace.
  • “Success means that you touched someone, that you made a difference in someone’s life. It doesn’t matter how many people it was. You got to take away the vision of grand number of success. It’s where you are able to change someone’s life. Success is what you make it; it’s also not beating yourself up. It’s how you measure it in the small amount.” – Ashley Robinson

Working in Communications as a Woman of Color

Adria Marquez, Director of Digital Advocacy and Communications at the Motion Picture Association of America joined us for a virtual Q&A on building a career in digital and communications on August 23rd, 2018. Adria discussed the pros and cons of working in the non-profit sector, shared tips for staying up to date on the latest trends in digital advocacy, and answered questions from Inclusv members on how they can make a lateral move into communications from another career field.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pyh4wx6nv6pv/

Diving into Ballot Initiatives

We kicked off the year with our first virtual Q&A of 2018 by digging into the topic of ballot initiative campaigns: What they are, the challenges of managing them, and important campaigns to watch this year.

Joining us was our special guest Ron Wong, President and CEO of Imprenta Communications Group.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pqrt5gog0er2/

Tips and Resources:

  • Anticipate for digital and grassroots organizing to upend traditional media (i.e. mail) outreach efforts.
  • When you work on a campaign for a candidate, people connect with the individual. For ballot initiatives, the challenge is having the public to understand the issue at hand, which requires more time and effort.
  • It is easier to have people vote “no” on an initiative than “yes.”
  • Polls are not always accurate because often they’re not translated into other languages, thereby excluding a good chunk of the electorate.

Fundraising as a Woman of Color

It’s no secret that we need more black women and women of color in the fundraising space! Check out our webinar with Sierra Kelley-Chung, Development Manager at America Votes, to learn how you can get started and what we can do to support fundraisers of color.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pb3tj4thxkgm/ 

Tips and Resources:

  • When you’re fundraising, let your personality come out in your work. Let your passion come out in your work.
  • Don’t be scared of fundraising. Don’t be afraid to be turned down.
  • Campaign managers, finance directors, and communications directors are usually the individuals who are hired right after a campaign. Just knowing this fact alone, made me understand the value of fundraising, the value you bring to the table.
  • People of color often take field and program jobs because they do not have access to fundraising jobs.
  • Resource for donor research: FECInfo.com.

A Preview of 2018, and Celebrating Our 2017 Work

To close out the year we held a virtual meeting to celebrate the work that we did as a movement and as individuals in 2017, and discussed our plans for next year. We were joined by special guest A’shanti Gholar, Political Director of Emerge America, who discussed best practices for managing first time candidates, recruiting someone to run for office, and mobilizing voters, and she shared her thoughts on the states and races to watch next year.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pwq38z2pbvti/

Advancing Your Career: Mid to Senior Level Role

Trying to move from a mid to senior level role but don’t know how? Check out our Q&A with Ophelia Basgal to receive tips and advice!

Ophelia B. Basgal is a visiting scholar at the University of California, Berkeley, Terner Center for Housing Innovation and a Senior Executive Consultant with InclusionINC. Prior to her current positions, Ophelia was the Regional Administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development and Vice President for Community Affairs at PG&E, a Fortune 200 utility company.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pj3mrnpsg0ux/

Tips and Resources:

  • Quote from Ophelia: “Every organization needs a leader, why not you?”
  • Learn how to be a good, engaging speaker and how to present your ideas in a thoughtful way.
  • A good manager asks for feedback and lets their team know that they’re valued.
  • Finding a mentor is as easy as asking.

Careers in Politics and Advocacy: Digital

Americans are connected more than ever by our phones, laptops, and other devices, and campaigns and organizations have responded by investing heavily in building Digital teams to mobilize their supporters and persuade voters. During this webinar we were joined by Jessica Morales Rocketto, the former Digital Director for Hillary for America. She answered questions about how to transition into a career in Digital, shared tips and best practices, and discussed her favorite tools and resources.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pvmcb6756g43/

Tips and Resources:

Careers in Political Advocacy: Voting Rights

To say that we are living in interesting times would be a monumental understatement. During this webinar we are joined by Sylvia Ruiz, Political Director of Let America Vote, who shares her journey as an advocate and provides guidance and tips for longtime veterans and those new to the fight on organizing in right to work states and the Trump era.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pylzmpsplioa/

Tips and Resources:

  • Don’t hesitate to reach out. Use your networks. Follow up and communicate with people.
  • Clearly state your positions and offer rationale arguments about why it’s necessary to allocate resources for communities of color.
  • Even when we take the time for ourselves to heal, organizers must always remembers that their first and foremost responsibility is to be leaders for their community.

Careers in Unions

Labor unions have spearheaded the fights for living wages, healthcare benefits, access to higher education, and more. Tune in to hear from veteran political strategist Jai Sookprasert on where the movement is headed, why it is imperative for a new generation of young leaders to join the movement, and how you can get involved.

Jai is the Assistant Director of Governmental Relations for the California School Employees Association (AFL-CIO). He represents 230,000 classified school employees (i.e. school bus drivers, custodians) in the public schools and colleges across California.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/px3qfucjyxgn/

Tips and Resources:

  • *We highly recommend that you listen to Jai’s thoughts at 53:30.
  • To move legislators and ideas, understand how the budget operates first.
  • Quote from Jai: “You don’t need permission to help people in your community….But it takes somebody to step up and simply say why I think this way, and can we do it differently.”

Cover Letter Workshop

Getting the job you want often begins with writing a strong cover letter that effectively conveys your skills and experience to a potential employer. This workshop covers best practices on how to make a great first impression to an employer by telling your story in a powerful, but concise manner.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p80tbgeru4tp/

Tips:

  • Research the employer before writing your cover letter and make the letter specific to the organization and position you are applying for.
  • Relate your experience to the required skills and qualifications listed in the job description.
  • Use your cover letter as a draw to entice the reader to check out your resume, do not simply restate what is already on your resume.

Getting Started in Digital: Consulting, Tech & Marketing

Devin Murphy, Digital Strategist at Priorities USA and Founder of DTM Strategies, joined us to discuss the benefits and challenges of starting a business as a young person, and how he used his expertise in digital to carve his own path and future. This is a conversation you shouldn’t miss if you are thinking about opening your own business.

Watch out live chat with Devin here.

Tips:

  • There are people of color in digital, and we deserve to be here.
  • If people of color do not take charge of digital, there will be a whole team that does. They do not look like us, are trying to take power away from us, and probably want to take away our livelihood.
  • The future of technology surrounds itself with critical questions such as “Where does privacy lie?” “Who has access to our data and privacy?” “Who can sell it?”
  • Digital should not be its own department. It should be integrated in every aspect of a campaign.

How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Thinking about applying for a job? Have an interview lined up? This workshop covers the various stages of interviews, how to prepare for each stage, and share general best practices and tips to help you land your dream position!

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/ppgzh7i8j774/

Tips:

  • For phone and video interviews, charge your electronic devices in advance and keep your charger nearby.
  • Set calendar reminders for upcoming interviews, especially if you’re speaking to an interviewer in a different time zone.
  • Ask the interviewer for the format of the interview (e.g., working lunch, group interview, panel, etc.).
  • Anticipate skills assessment tests in the second and third stages of the interview process.
  • There are common interview questions that you can anticipate. Rehearse your responses prior to the interview.

How to Overcome Your Fear of Networking

Ever been invited to a networking event but chose not to attend because you wouldn’t feel comfortable? This workshop shares tips on how to make you a more confident networker as you navigate new spaces!

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p5mcg7eiw9ls/

Tips:

  • Opt for quality over quantity. The phrase is “It’s who you know” not “How many people you know.” Building real, authentic relationships are critical to being a successful networker.
  • Some studies have found that introverts are better at networking than extroverts. The reason — they listen! When you engage with someone, make sure that you are fully present (steady eye contact, ask good questions, and listen). People are more likely to remember authentic conversations over general conversations about “What do you do for a living.”
  • Networking requires time and hard work, but don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process. If you are feeling burned out, even just a smidge, take the time to value and prioritize yourself.

Resume Writing Workshop

A 2014 study from TheLadders found that the average recruiter spends six seconds reviewing a resume. With a single job opening receiving 50 to 100 applicants, or even more, it’s becoming harder for candidates to stand out. Having a strong resume that effectively tells your story and experience, however, can increase your chances of being considered.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pq94fnq1rfnz/ 

Tips:

Virtual Discussion: Online Fundraising

During this webinar we were joined by two talented professionals from Anne Lewis Strategies, LLC, Ambika Subramanyam and José Torres-Don. They shared tips on how to get your resume noticed by a fundraising firm, best practices about converting social media followers to donors, and anecdotes from their careers.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pkrt5auj3hx5/

Resources:

Virtual Discussion: Opening Your Own Consulting Firm

During this webinar we were joined Chuck Rocha. Chuck is the President of Solidarity Strategies and Founder of the National Association of Diverse Consultants. He previously served as a Senior Advisor to the Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p0zb4tkm702q/?launcher=false&fcsContent=true&pbMode=normal

Tips:

  • *We highly recommend that you listen to Chuck’s inspiring introduction at the beginning of the webinar.
  • Begin by building a list of 1-3 base clients. Your base clients should be organizations that you have a relationship and can count on, and should be enough to pay the bills if you have trouble attracting other clients
  • Consulting is a business where you can’t be successful if no one likes you, especially as a person of color. Invest the time in networking and building relationships, and don’t burn bridges
  • Quote of the day from Chuck: “I’m living proof that you can make it. If I can do it, you can do it.”

Negotiating Job Offers

This training covers the types of benefits that can be negotiated when one is considering a job offer, including salary. During the hour-long webinar, we shared tips on when and how to negotiate benefits, and discussed common mistakes to avoid during the negotiation process.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pzcgwfw0d32b/

Tips and Resources:

Working with Press as a Communications Specialist

If you ever have to pitch reporters, speak on the record, or create content, this is the training to watch. Michele Watley and Jorge Silva are communications rockstars who’ve fought deep in the trenches and have the battle scars to prove it. Jorge is the VP of Communications at Latino Victory Project. He most recently served as National Director for Hispanic Media for Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign. Michele is the Director of Advocacy at the ACLU of Kansas and Founder of The Griot Group. She most recently served as the National African American Outreach Political Director for Senator Bernie Sanders’ presidential campaign.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p4br9vg6wwdn/ 

Tips:

Working as a Legislative Chief of Staff

Whether in the halls of Congress or in your state’s capitol building, Chiefs of Staff represent the pinnacle of power at the staff level. In the aftermath of new research coming out that shows how rare it is for a person of color to rise to the position of Chief of Staff, John Nam, the Chief of Staff for a California State Assembly Member, joined us to share his story and talk with Inclusv members about how they can put their career on a trajectory to rise to the senior most position in a legislative office.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p3hyhg2b6536/

Tips:

An Hour with Denelle Robinson, Human Resources Director at EMILY’s List

Human Resources Directors bring a unique perspective to the questions that our members have about the hiring process and handling intra-office conflicts as a person of color. Denelle Robinson, HR Director at EMILY’s List spent an hour answering our members questions on these topics and others, as well as answering questions about the work that EMILY’s List is doing in 2017.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/pfz4l3g6ltc8/

Tips and Resources:

  • EMILY’s List Careers Page: https://www.emilyslist.org/pages/entry/jobs-internships
  • Run to Win Trainings: http://emilyslist.org/run-to-win/trainings

A Virtual Discussion on Working on the Hill

This virtual training covered the basics of working on Capitol Hill, including an overview of positions in congressional offices and their responsibilities, salary expectations, and the hiring process. We were joined by special guest Sarah Garcia, the Senior Counsel to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p4qd1yh9g41i/

Tips and Resources:

  • Senate Diversity Initiative Resume Bank.
  • Subscribe to the House Employment Bulletin.
  • Subscribe to Tom Manatos Jobs.
  • Explore opportunities with Pay Our Interns, the Congressional Black Caucus, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Staff Association to find paid internships to gain experience. If you can not move to DC for an unpaid internship, apply for an internship with a member office in your home district.
  • When searching for a position, look for opportunities with members where you can cite a personal connection when applying. For example, a Representative from your state, or applying for a position with a member on the Veteran’s Affairs Committee if you are a veteran.

The Pros and Cons of Moving to D.C.

Most political professionals will eventually ask themselves a question–“Do I need to move to Washington, D.C. to move my career forward.” During this virtual discussion we covered the pros and cons of moving to DC to advance your career, and offered tips on how to make the move as easy as possible if you have decided to relocate.

Recording: https://inclusv.adobeconnect.com/p8nzaxxgx3d/

Tips and Resources:

  • If you are a junior to mid-level staffer, you may find that you are able to have more influence and rise quicker by continuing to work in the states than you would have if you moved to D.C.
  • Use all available resources when looking for a position in D.C., including Inclusv, JobsThatAreLeft, DemocraticGain, and Idealist.
  • The cost of living in the District is higher than almost every other metro area in the nation. You may find that it is more cost effective to live in a close-in suburb in Montgomery county, Maryland or in Northern Virginia. Many junior and mid-level staffers also save money by living with roommates and in group houses, which can be found via networking, alumni listservs, and Craigslist.

Other Training Resources