Publications and Videos

This brief reference guide is composed of practices shared by participants at the retreat hosted by The Action Lab and Future Currents (formerly Social and Economic Justice) in November.

In 2023, the 50th anniversaries of Hip-Hop and the Chilean coup converged, illustrating the power of cultural resistance. Our Liberation Summer, spanning two countries and reaching over 5,000 people, celebrated this legacy, uniting communities and inspiring action through music and solidarity.

Discover insights from our delegation's trip in our report. We're collaborating with delegates to fuse our learnings and design comprehensive follow-up sessions for 2024, focusing on innovative tactics from Brazil.

BronxArtSpace became a hub for Liberation Summer 2023 in Hunts Point, offering youths a deep dive into hip-hop's culture and history through art and education. Featuring talents like Ana Tijoux and Rah Digga, it fostered community, creativity, and solidarity.

Following its NYC launch, The Action Lab introduced La Tejedora in Puerto Rico with "Del Sur P'al Caribe," a festival of culture, activism, and solidarity. It aims to unite global social justice movements and mobilize for change, emphasizing youth leadership and the rights to remain and return.

Beyond The Block: Voices From Sing Sing' was a poignant event where 300 attendees heard from 16 incarcerated men, inspired by Harry Belafonte's legacy. It transformed from performance to profound human connection, highlighting shared humanity and the power of narratives to transcend societal labels

Our end-of-year concert at City Winery was unforgettable, featuring a torch-passing from Aloe Blacc to Ana Tijoux for the Belafonte Fellowship. With performances by John Forte, Fela aKustic, and a surprise from Wyclef Jean, we celebrated a legacy of music and activism.

Social justice leaders from the US and Puerto Rico came together at The Action Lab, sharing strategies and visions on building power and unity. We emphasized the critical nature of collective spaces and the active role of coming together in shaping a resilient future.

Liberation Summer 2023 kicked off at SOBs, marking 50 years of Hip-Hop and the Chilean coup. With performances by Ana Tijoux, Bahamadia, DJ Eclipse, and Rebel Diaz, the event celebrated music's power in uniting and resisting, aligning with Action Lab's mission to use culture for change.

The Action Lab's first Freedom Writers Songwriting Lab saw Aloe Blacc mentoring five students in creating music with a social justice lens, for an EP celebrating Black History Month.

At the Convening on Law & Power Building, experts united to discuss leveraging legal expertise for empowering communities. They explored the intersection of law and grassroots movements to promote justice and democracy.

The Dismantling Racial Capitalism series aims to create a space for developing a deeper understanding of racial capitalism, its impacts, and ways to dismantle it. Academics, organizers, policy-makers, and change-makers come together for thorough discussions on initiating meaningful change.

In 2023, we inspired change through social housing leadership, trained organizers, and launched initiatives in Puerto Rico. We also hosted retreats and film series, laying the groundwork for a productive 2024!