The theme of this year’s gathering was “Rebels and Rebellions: Past, Present, Future.” This immersive three-day event, building off the inaugural convening last year brought together dozens of accomplished storytellers—organizers, filmmakers, playwrights, journalists, and historians—to explore and reimagine borderlands as spaces of connection, resilience, and possibility. In a time where borders have been hardened and xenophobia has ticked up rapidly, it is more critical than ever to spark new ideas about how we might reorganize the culture and politics of borders.
The Border Is a Story
Last month, we hosted the 2025 convening of The Border Is A Story with our Advisory Board Members, Kelly Lytle Hernandez and Alex Rivera.
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February 6, 2026
Application Live! Turkey Global Delegation
Application Live! Turkey Global Delegation
The Action Lab is organizing a learning delegation to Istanbul, Turkey from April 12-18, 2025, bringing together 30 labor organizers, communication strategists, creators, strategic funders, and movement leaders to build power and challenge oligarchy.
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February 5, 2026
Understanding the Conservative Movement and Homegrown Screening
Understanding the Conservative Movement and Homegrown Screening
On Thursday, February 5, we co-hosted a screening and Q&A of the powerful new documentary Homegrown at NYU.
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January 13, 2026
Dennis Leroy Kingalee’s Play Takes on New Life
Dennis Leroy Kingalee’s Play Takes on New Life
The Kangalee Arts Ensemble, led by our Advisory Board member and Artists in Action fellow Dennis Leroy Kangalee, was recently awarded an artist initiative grant from the Venturous Theater Fund for: My Dying City Vol. II (The Social Justice Suicide Hour).
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January 12, 2026
In Memoriam: John Forté
In Memoriam: John Forté
John Forté, a beloved member of The Action Lab community and longtime Advisory Board member, unexpectedly passed away last month.
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January 12, 2026
2026 Law and Organizing Academy Application is Open!
2026 Law and Organizing Academy Application is Open!
We invite current law students from New York-area law schools or with New York-area summer internships to apply to our fourth annual Law & Organizing Academy (LOA)
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December 30, 2025
My Dying City Vol. II
My Dying City Vol. II
A new stage work by Dennis Leroy Kangalee, an Action Lab Artist in Action, explores grief, activism, and movement fracture under rising authoritarianism, using theater as a space to wrestle with the emotional and political costs of long-term organizing.
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March 7, 2026
SALSACTIVISM — March 21
SALSACTIVISM — March 21
SALSACTIVISM returns on March 21 in Astoria, bringing together community, music, and organizing. The evening will feature Salsa en Vinilos, live sets from Fabio Puentes y Su Tremendo Lío, and guest speakers Jeannette García and Yhamir Chabur.
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March 6, 2026
May Day Solidarity School
May Day Solidarity School
Labor and community organizers gathered at a training session to build strategy, alliances, and collective power ahead of May Day 2026.
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March 6, 2026
Small Business United Organizing Initiative
Small Business United Organizing Initiative
The Small Business United organizing initiative brings together small businesses to advocate for their communities and support the Small Business Rent Stabilization Act introduced in the New York legislature.
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March 6, 2026
Power in Solidarity Training Series
Power in Solidarity Training Series
The Action Lab wrapped its “Power in Solidarity” training series, equipping organizers with practical skills in community organizing, storytelling, trust-building, and running effective meetings to strengthen collective action.
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March 6, 2026
Providers Organized for Power (POP)
Providers Organized for Power (POP)
The Action Lab is helping coordinate Providers Organized for Power (POP), a growing coalition of childcare providers and partner organizations fighting for fair wages, improved working conditions, and universal childcare in New York.
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March 6, 2026
Free Tax Prep Program
Free Tax Prep Program
Anchor partner New York Communities Organizing Fund (NYCOFI) continues its free tax preparation program, helping New Yorkers access key tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit and Earned Income Tax Credit. Services run weekends from March 1 through April 13.
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