Master Advocacy, Shape Policy, And Drive Meaningful Change In Your Community.
Learn essential skills in public speaking, policy navigation, and community engagement through our comprehensive Advocacy Academy Course.
The Advocacy Academy Course is designed for aspiring leaders, small business owners, and changemakers who want to develop the tools to advocate for themselves, their communities, and their industries.
This hands-on program equips participants with the knowledge and confidence to navigate policy systems, engage with decision-makers, and create lasting impact globally.
By the end of the Advocacy Academy Course, participants will gain practical skills and actionable insights, including:
Learn how to advocate for policies and decisions that benefit your community or business.
Develop confidence and clarity in presenting your ideas to audiences and policymakers.
Understand how to engage with decision-makers and navigate complex policy systems.
Build relationships with stakeholders to drive meaningful change.
Enhance your ability to inspire, lead, and create a vision for the future.
Receive $500 per graduate upon successful program completion!
Cohort Start Date: 21st July, 2025.
Cohort Duration: July 21 – August 28, 2025
Available Starting: 21st July, 2025.
Participants will receive orientation materials, complete a baseline survey, and begin pre-assigned readings and reflection exercises in preparation for the live sessions.
Time: Thursdays, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
Zoom Session 1
An introduction to professional etiquette, confidence-building, and networking tools to reduce social anxiety and strengthen presence in business and civic spaces.
Zoom Session 2
Explore how to navigate government structures and foster relationships with elected officials to advance business goals and access public resources.
Zoom Session 3
Learn how to tell your business story through media and social platforms, pitch to press, and build credibility with strategic content.
Zoom Session 4
Explore how to mobilize networks, build coalitions, and drive influence through creative partnerships and collective action.
Zoom Session 5
Gain a deep understanding of how policy is formed, how to influence it, and how to effectively engage in the legislative process.
Zoom Session 6
Learn the art of persuasive storytelling, testimony writing, and how to communicate with lawmakers in impactful and professional ways.
Date: Friday, September 12, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: To be determined
Mandatory in-person event. Participants will present their final projects, showcasing how they will apply the tools learned to grow their business, access new opportunities, or shape public policy. The event will include a graduation ceremony, certificate presentation, guest speakers, and a networking panel with industry and civic leaders.
The Advocacy Academy Course is ideal for:
The Advocacy Academy Course combines expert-led training with hands-on activities to ensure participants leave with practical skills and actionable plans.
8 weeks (hybrid format: online and in-person sessions).
Live webinars, in-person workshops, and networking events
$FREE
Southern California (specific venue details provided upon registration).
Unlike other leadership programs, the Advocacy Academy Course focuses on practical skills, real world scenarios, and building connections with industry leaders and policymakers. We don’t just teach advocacy—we help you live it.
Gain insights and expand your understanding of Advocacy Academy and learn how we empower and equip leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers by finding answers to all your questions.
The BizFed Advocacy Academy is a game-changer for small business owners, entrepreneurs, students, and community and public affairs executives who want to strengthen their business strategy while mastering how public policy impacts their bottom line.
This innovative program empowers participants to amplify their economic footprint and their influence in the policy-making process — because understanding how government works is just as important as knowing how to grow a business.
We go beyond the basics — pulling back the curtain and demystifying the business skills and strategies that often get overlooked but are critical to lasting success.
This isn’t just professional development — it’s economic empowerment in action. Through personalized training, one-on-one mentorship, and practical educational courses, participants learn how to:
Our program connects participants with seasoned mentors who provide continuous support in real-world skills like proposal writing, contract negotiation, marketing, public speaking, lobbying, and more.
This is more than a program — it’s a transformative experience that builds confidence, unlocks potential, and empowers participants to create their own opportunities while driving meaningful change in their communities.
The core BizFed Advocacy Academy course is currently our primary offering. Additional tracks — including the Workforce Readiness & Economic Resilience Program, export training, civic leadership, and others — are and will be launched as funding becomes available. We welcome interest from funders and partners to help expand these opportunities.
The Academy is open to:
Applicants must be age 18+ and committed to completing the full program, including all virtual sessions and the in-person graduation event.
Each cohort receives:
The course runs for approximately , including pre-course assignments and a required in-person graduation and project showcase. If you’re interested in becoming a partner, please contact us at advocacyacademy@bizfed.org.
Join the Advocacy Academy Course and gain the skills, tools, and network to create meaningful impact in your community.
