We are excited to welcome longtime friend of The Action Lab Steve Kest to our advisory board! Steve serves as Senior Advisor to Popular Democracy, with responsibility for a number of projects designed to build PD’s capacity. In addition, he is coordinating the network’s “fight-back” campaign against the policies and programs of the Trump administration. Steve is a decades-long veteran of community organizing, who ran the Fight for a Fair Economy (FFE) program at Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and helped support the Fight for 15 campaign to organize fast food workers. Before joining SEIU, Steve was a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, where he helped CAP develop its work on community organizing. Steve’s most significant experience was at ACORN, where he worked for over 35 years in a wide variety of roles, including as National Executive Director. Steve graduated from Harvard and lives in Brooklyn, NY. Welcome, Steve!
More Images
More From This Initiative
More Highlights

Harry Belafonte’s Legacy Honored By Common And Other Stars
Harry Belafonte’s Legacy Honored By Common And Other Stars
NY CaribNews reported on the free Prospect Park concert put on by BRIC Celebrate Brooklyn! and The Action Lab and featuring performances from Common, Adi Oasis, and Ana Tijoux.

As Democratic Socialists Storm Albany, Real Estate Takes Stock
As Democratic Socialists Storm Albany, Real Estate Takes Stock
Data from Small Business United’s report, “Empty Storefronts, High Rent,” were featured in this article about NY voters swinging left due to a number of crises, including the decline of small businesses in our state.

Teamsters accuse Amazon and 13 subcontractors of skipping New York’s layoff notice law
Teamsters accuse Amazon and 13 subcontractors of skipping New York’s layoff notice law
The Action Lab’s Director of Policy and Program, Irene Tung, spoke with Nation of Change about Amazon’s unfair and unlawful treatment of its delivery drivers.
Urban Youth Collaborative Joins The Action Lab
Urban Youth Collaborative Joins The Action Lab
Urban Youth Collaborative joins The Action Lab, launching a new chapter of youth organizing, political education, and leadership development across New York City.

New York City to Provide Free Childcare for Over 22,000 Families
New York City to Provide Free Childcare for Over 22,000 Families
The Action Lab’s Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives, Ben Parisi, spoke with SSBCrack News about NYC’s step towards a more equitable childcare system.

Mamdani makes childcare free for 22K NYC Families
Mamdani makes childcare free for 22K NYC Families
Comments from The Action Lab’s Director of Strategic Campaign Initiatives, Ben Parisi, are featured in this article about the Mamdani administration’s announcement that it will make childcare completely free for families that rely on the Child Care Assistance Program.

