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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July 1, 2026
Strengthening Our Anchor Partners Through Long-Term Accompaniment
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Law and Organizing Academy Builds the Next Generation of Movement Lawyers
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The Action Lab's Law and Organizing Academy equips emerging law students with the tools, relationships, and movement-centered perspective needed to support community organizing and advance racial and economic justice.
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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
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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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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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Urban Youth Collaborative Joins The Action Lab
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Home-Based Child Care Providers and the Fight for Fair Pay
Home-Based Child Care Providers and the Fight for Fair Pay
The Action Lab's Providers Organized for Power (POP) coalition discusses why expanding access to child care must go hand in hand with investing in the providers who care for the city's children and support working families.
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Mamdani's Child Care Plan Faces a Hurdle: Home Providers Can't Earn a Living
The Action Lab’s Providers Organized for Power (POP) coalition is featured in Gothamist advocating for fair compensation for home-based child care providers as New York City moves toward universal child care.
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City Storefronts Stay Empty, But Rent Won’t Come Down. Is Commercial Rent Control the Answer?
City Storefronts Stay Empty, But Rent Won’t Come Down. Is Commercial Rent Control the Answer?
The Action Lab’s Director of Policy and Program, Irene Tung, spoke with City Limits about New York City’s commercial rent crisis and the case for Small Business Rent Stabilization.
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July 16, 2026
OP-ED: Members Of Congress Must Reject Palantir Money Or Step Aside
OP-ED: Members Of Congress Must Reject Palantir Money Or Step Aside
Amalia Olivia Rojas writes about Palantir’s role in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement and surveillance infrastructure—and why immigrant communities are demanding that members of Congress reject Palantir-linked campaign contributions.
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Rachel La Loca Talks Storytelling, Culture, and Community with Luis Ortiz
Rachel La Loca Talks Storytelling, Culture, and Community with Luis Ortiz
Artist In Action Fellow Rachel La Loca sits down with filmmaker Luis Ortiz for a powerful conversation on Latino storytelling, cultural leadership, and creating platforms that amplify community voices.
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