26th November 2024 Future campaigners inspired by US presidential election experience
Seventeen year 13 students from four UK schools are putting their new campaigning skills into practice after returning home from a unique experience, participating in the final days of the US Presidential Election, sponsored by The Talent Foundry.
Students from Preston Manor Sixth Form, Lampton School and Oasis Academy in London, and Weatherhead High School, Liverpool, engaged in a week of campaigning activities across Washington D.C. and key swing state, Pennsylvania. Through breakfast briefings, masterclasses and meetings with experts from across the political world, they learnt what it takes to run a successful campaign.
As well as campaigning for Kamala Harris, the Inspire US trip had the opportunity to get directly involved in canvassing for Maryland’s Democratic Senate candidate, Angela Alsobrooks, who went on to secure her race.
The group knocked on an impressive 2,269 doors, leading to conversations with the local electorate. They learnt what people were thinking and feeling about the election, and what mattered most to them.
As the election drew to its nail-biting conclusion, they travelled to Philadelphia to attend Kamala Harris’ final rally. They joined the 30,000 strong crowd, and heard from celebrities including Lady Gaga, Oprah Winfrey, Will.i.am and a keynote address by Harris herself, as she made her final pitch to voters.
“This trip changed my idea about what I want out of life. From being obsessed with being alone and having walls up, I now understand the benefit of being surrounded by people with my beliefs and people who disagree with me. Now I have connections which can help me,” said Pheobe, from Weatherhead High School.
Pheobe, with her fellow Pothole Action teammates was selected to join the experience following a nationwide competition, competing against over 300 students for a place on the trip.
National campaign competition
The students won the opportunity after taking part in The Talent Foundry’s Inspire US programme, which challenged teams to launch their own social action campaign. 73 teams took part, participating in masterclasses with professional campaigners, showing them how to launch a project, grow their online following, understand polling data and much more.
The winning four teams ran successful local campaigns to encourage young men and woman to talk about periods, encourage their peers to stop vaping, fix dangerous roads in their hometowns and create safe, crime-free spaces for teenagers.
USA political insights
On their first day in the US, students were given a VIP tour of the White House, discovering its storied history and understanding the power structures in American politics. They also visited news station, ITN, hearing how they juggle so many different stories and news teams, and how they cover the US elections for a UK audience.
Students, like Keisha, took the opportunity to develop their confidence speaking to real voters about their priorities and intentions, seeing the power of grassroots campaigning.
“A highlight of the trip for me was the canvassing, and understanding the information the public can know, in terms of who’s voted, where they live and how to speak to them,” she explained.
The Inspire US trip lived up to its name, giving participants a toolkit of new skills, with which to continue taking their personal campaigns forward. There are also those on the trip, such as Manel, who are now considering a career in politics.
“I want to study International Relations, and The Talent Foundry allowed me to see what real politics is like… Inspire US has been more than just an experience – it’s been a reminder that my background doesn’t limit my dreams, but rather gives them strength and purpose.”
Amy Leonard, The Talent Foundry’s founder and trustee, was one of the trip leaders.
“The students were curious and full of energy, and it was just brilliant to see how motivated they were to drive change and ensure their voices are heard.”
Andy Bookless a seasoned campaigner in the US and CEO of A2P, which supported the Inspire US programme added: “I’m proud to have been involved with the Inspire US programme since its inception in 2012. Having interacted with the 2024 students in Washington DC this year, I know that The Talent Foundry continues to have a lifelong impact on the students that participate in this transatlantic political experience. The intellectual curiosity, determination to make a difference, and even the intense competitiveness shown by the students was impressive and reflect the values that my team at A2P share.”
Thank you
Thank you to Angus Walker, A2P, Denford Associates, George Coote at ITN, John Blake, Jonathan Phelps at X, Michael Barber at Grow Schools, Sam Draper and Winning Connections for their support in making this incredible experience possible.