From August 17–21, 2026, 33 young people from seven partner organizations completed The Action Lab’s first Summer Youth Organizing Institute.
Participants examined how capitalism, racism and sexism shape their lives and learned the history of the Young Lords from former members Mickey Melendez and Gloria Rodriguez. Training covered direct action organizing, power mapping, youth-led campaigns and public narrative.
The week closed with a celebration of emcees, dancers and poets presented with the Evergreen Initiative, alongside a collaborative art build led by Many Hands Workshop.
Learn about the Urban Youth Collaborative’s work at The Action Lab.
