What we do

Our work is simple and complex all at the same time. It's simple because the three buckets below are what you'll most likely find us doing on any given day. Yet it's complex because we work with human beings, in the real world. More precisely, we work with people who live in uncertain and resource-constrained environments and who, despite the uncertainty and constraints, have committed their lives to bringing about productive social, political, economic, cultural, spiritual, and environmental change. This is how we help…

Consultation + capacity building

Accompanying youth and the grassroots, community-based organizations that serve them, we help build the individual and collective capacities that will amplify the impact of their work. Together with foundations, grantmaking organizations, and our university partners, we engage in these efforts to safeguard investment in the long-term sustainability of such grassroots, community-based endeavors and the building of vibrant communities.

Knowledge and Action Co-Lab

Combining our curious and creative nature, we partner with partners and students to run a think-tank-meets-design-studio that crystallizes our collective interests and actions into a series of questions and priorities. Through a continuous process of studying, acting, reflecting, and consulting we create new frameworks that lend themselves to our "critical, contemplative," creative, and coherent communities of practice.

GLobal Youth Fellowship

This summer, we’re piloting a global fellowship. The pilot will be a 10-week program that will engage 10 young people from Detroit, New York, and Zonkizizwe (South Africa) in a transformative process of study, action, reflection, and consultation. Fellows will participate in online and in-person dialogues, workshops, and learning opportunities that focus on renewable energy, community-based agriculture., and youth empowerment.