LEAD PA

📝 Note: Though these trainings online, please make sure you are able to attend ALL three weekends. SPACE IS LIMITED!

📣 🆓 VIRTUAL TRAINING ALERT!
PENNCIVICS: GOVERNANCE

📆 Weekends between 04/11 - 05/17 (10AM-3PM). Details upon acceptance.

⏰ APPS DUE: 04/06 at 4PM‼️

If you are a first-time elected official who wasn't able to make our in-person sessions, this is for you.

🔗 leadpainstitute.org/penncivics

⏰ ‼️ APPLICATIONS DUE: MARCH 4, 2026
🔗 victoryinstitute.org

🗓️ APRIL 23-26: @victoryinstitute.bsky.social's Candidate & Campaign Trainings 🏳️‍🌈 🏛️

A comprehensive, skills -building opportunity for LGBTQ+ leaders who want to elevate their political power by running (and winning!) their campaigns.

📍 Phil

🕉️ MAR 4, 2026: HOLI

Holi (Dolyatra, Doul Jatra, Basanta-Utsav) is the Hindu festival of colors that celebrates the triumph of good over evil, good harvest, and fertility. 🪷 A time when everyone throws off the gloom of winter and rejoices in the liveliness of spring! 🎊

Via: timeanddate.com

✡️ Evening of MARCH 2 to MARCH 3: PURIM

On the Purim table, triangle-shaped dishes are traditionally served at holiday parties to remind the worshippers of the legendary shape of Haman's hat. 🔼 Called hamantaschen, it's filled with apricot jam, prunes, or poppy seeds.

Via: timeanddate.com

🗓️ MARCH: WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

In honor of closing out Black History Month and ushering in this one, we are featuring some of LEAD PA's trailblazing alumni.

Let LEAD PA support you on your HERstory-making journey.

🏋️‍♀️ leadpa.org/taking-the-lead

🗓️ APRIL 23-26: @victoryinstitute.bsky.social's Candidate & Campaign Trainings 🏳️‍🌈 🏛️

⏰ APPLICATIONS DUE: MARCH 4, 2026‼️
🔗 victoryinstitute.org

A comprehensive, skills -building opportunity for LGBTQ+ leaders who want to elevate their political power by running (and winning!) their campaigns.

📍 Phila

🗓️ MARCH 27-29: TAKING THE LEAD - Virtual Candidate Intensive

🔗 leadpa.org/taking-the-lead
⏰‼️ APPS DUE 03/25 @ 4PM ET

So you've sent in your petition forms? What's next? Our flagship program is rigorous, comprehensive, and cohort-based for those running for local / cty / state leg.

🔗 leadpa.org/resources

🤔 Are you or anyone you know ready to take the first steps toward running for office? 👣

We have a compilation of resources available and a 🆓 guide for first-time email list members! 📧

🗓️ APRIL 23-26: @victoryinstitute.bsky.social 's Candidate & Campaign Trainings 🏳️‍🌈 🏛️

A comprehensive, skills -building opportunity for LGBTQ+ leaders who want to elevate their political power by running (and winning!) their campaigns.

⏰ APPLICATIONS DUE: MARCH 4, 2026‼️
🔗 victoryinstitute.org

☪️ FEBRUARY 17 - MARCH 19: RAMADAN

Ramadan in the US reflects the diverse backgrounds of American Muslims, who include African Americans, South Asians, Arabs, Southeast Asians, and many converts from various places; making customs vary widely. 🤲🏼

Via: timeanddate.com

📆 🐴 FEB 17 2026: LUNAR NEW YEAR

Celebrations culminate with the Lantern Festival on Mar 3rd. 🏮

The first and second days of Lunar New Year are reserved for visiting family and friends. A key part of this tradition is the exchange of red envelopes, which carry good wishes. 🧧

Via chinesenewyear.net

📋 FEB 17 2026: Today is the beginning of Nomination Petitions period!

🔗 Learn more: pa.gov

📆 🇺🇸 FEB 16: PRESIDENTS' DAY

In 1885, the US Government decided to honor the first US president, George Washington on his birthday, Feb 22. 🎂

In 1971, the US Congress changed Washington’s birthday celebration to the 3rd Monday in February to create a long weekend. 🎉

(Via timeanddate.com)

🔗 www.leadpa.org/nominations

In the spirit of Valentine's, 💌 please nominate folks who are:

✅ Locally-grown
❌ Laudable ✅ LOVable
✅ Leader in any form or fashion

–to join LEAD PA's growing list of trailblazing alumni!

Fill out the form on our website if someone comes to mind. 📲💻

🗓️ APRIL 23-26: @victoryinstitute.bsky.social's Candidate & Campaign Trainings 🏳️‍🌈 🏛️

A comprehensive, skills -building opportunity for LGBTQ+ leaders who want to elevate their political power by running (and winning!) their campaigns.

⏰ APPLICATIONS DUE: MARCH 4, 2026‼️

📍 Philadelphia, PA

🪞REFLECTIVE DEMOCRACY x BLACK HISTORY MONTH

With the PA General Assembly campaigning this yr, we're highlighting what Reflective Democracy would look like for the Commonwealth.

Support LEAD PA in empowering the next generation of leaders:

leadpa.org/donate

🪞REFLECTIVE DEMOCRACY x BLACK HISTORY MONTH

With the PA General Assembly campaigning this yr, we highlight what Reflective Democracy would look like for the Commonwealth.

In 2024, only 8% of 50 PA State Senate seats were held by Black electeds. Help us empower the next gen:

leadpa.org/donate

🖋️ "These leaders will continue to grow in their confidence and qualities as time goes on. They may take new offices or change course, but this is a picture of the moment in time shortly after their experience with LEAD PA. " - Maria James Thiaw

Learn more about a few of our Alumni: leadpa.org/about

📸: “A Gathering at the Crossroads” monument in Harrisburg. (Photo by Anna Gustafson)

🗓️ FEBRUARY: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 🎉 ✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

Celebrate and honor the rich history of Pennsylvania by visiting:

📍 African American Museum in PHL
📍 56 Underground Railroad markers
📍 African American Cultural Center in PGH
📍 Harrisburg's Old 8th Ward

via: Pennsylvania Independent

🔗 leadpa.org/office-hours

Are YOU 🫵 curious about careers in advocacy or politics?

Our team is excited to offer 30-minute video calls to kickstart the conversation! 💻

🔗 leadpa.org/resources

🤔 Are you or anyone you know ready to take the first steps toward running for office? 👣

We have a compilation of resources available and a 🆓 guide for first-time email list members! 📧

🔗 www.leadpa.org/nominations

LEAD PA is out here cultivating the next generation of progressive leaders across the Commonwealth.

🧐 We're looking for:

✅ Locally-grown
✅ Laudable
✅ Leader in any form or fashion

–folks to join our growing list of trailblazing alumni!

Nominate someone today. 📲💻

📣‼️ 🆓 VIRTUAL TRAINING ALERT: Ready to Manage

🔗 leadpa.org/ready-to-manage

📆 APPS DUE: 01/25 at 4PM ET
📆 Training: 01/27 & 01/29 at 4PM ET

For Staffers & Campaign Mngrs - an accelerated training spans 2 weeknights, covering Campaign Foundations (Night 1) & Direct Voter Contact (Night 2) 🏛️ 🗣️ 📬 📞

🗓️ JANUARY 23-25: TAKING THE LEAD - Virtual Candidate Intensive

🔗 leadpa.org/taking-the-lead
⏰‼️ APP DUE 01/21 @ 4PM ET

Our first Taking the LEAD 💪 cohort of the yr! A multi-day training covering the fundamentals of campaigning w/ insights from professionals and both current & former electeds. 🛠️

📣‼️ 🆓 VIRTUAL TRAINING ALERT: Ready to Manage

🔗 leadpa.org/ready-to-manage

📆 Apps Due: 01/25 @ 4PM ET
📆 Training: 01/27 AND 01/29 @ 4PM ET

For Staffers & Campaign Managers - accelerated training over 2 weeknights, covering Campaign Foundations (Night 1) & Direct Voter Contact (Night 2) 🏛️ 🗣️ 📬 📞

🗓️ JANUARY 23-25: TAKING THE LEAD - Virtual Candidate Intensive

🔗 leadpa.org/taking-the-lead
⏰‼️ Applications due 01/21 @ 4PM ET

We're launching our first Taking the LEAD 💪 cohort of the year! Our flagship program is rigorous, comprehensive, & cohort-based for those considering running in 2026.

🔩 NUTS & BOLTS: ⏰‼️ APPS DUE 01/12 @ 4PM ET

🔗 leadpa.org/skills-development

🗓️ JANUARY 12-15 @ 6:30PM ET

Join us for our first trainings of 2026! 🔩 Our Nuts & Bolts Series are FREE webinars, providing a deep dive into the basic processes that are required for campaign compliance.

🔩 NUTS & BOLTS: JAN 15 @ 6:30PM ET - THE PEOPLE'S PETITIONS 📜

⏰‼️ APPS DUE 01/12 @ 4PM ET
🔗 leadpa.org/skills-development

Join us for our first trainings of 2026! 🔩 Nuts & Bolts Series - FREE webinars (01/12-01/15), providing a deep dive into the basic processes required for campaign compliance.