NYC Action Lab
Political Strategists & Organizers
NYC Action Lab
Transforming Moments into Movements
New York City Action Lab Inc. was established in August of 2018 to meet the needs of the community by transforming moments into movements. Through the deep experience of political and community organizers, NYC Action Lab helps to sustain unprecedented moments of social/civil unrest with the goal of optimizing social impact.
Mission
We are a diverse group of professionals and community leaders focused on long term solutions based programs and policies that can sustain, support, and resource our communities collective power. an ecosystem of advocates, influencers, lawyers, interfaith leaders, elected officials, social activists, artists and students working across coalitions and issue areas.
Vision
Our vision is to build and sustain political power through impactful social initiatives. By bridging intergenerational and institutional divides, we aim to foster a unified and resilient community capable of driving meaningful change and social justice, optimizing social impact during unprecedented moments of social and civil unrest.
About Carlene
Carlene Pinto is the Founder and CEO of NYC Action Lab Inc. (NYCAL), a strategic consulting firm that specializes in the advisement and implementation of campaigns and initiatives through social innovation and culturally competent community organizing. NYC Action Lab was founded in 2018, championing multiple advocacy efforts that have led to local, state, and national legislative reforms.
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Carlene is a Cuban-Irish lifelong New Yorker, having lived in Brooklyn, Manhattan and now the Bronx, her dedication to community stems from her family’s core values, Carlene’s mother committed her life’s work to social work. Carlene’s served New Yorkers during countless crises, her expertise has positioned her to be successful in transforming moments into movements. Carlene most recently served as the NYS Deputy Director of Field at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) helping spearhead several advocacy campaigns including New York For All, the Equal Rights Amendment, 13th Forward & Daniel’s Law.
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In Early 2022 Carlene co-founded Latinas Grow (LG), to provide education and advocacy across NYS for Womxn and Latinos impacted by the war on drugs. Latinas Grow is dedicated to opening pipelines for entrepreneurship in agritech, hemp, and cannabis. In Fall 2021, Carlene was named Top 50 Most Powerful People in Community by City & State Magazine for her impact and work in the community. During Hurricane Sandy she distributed millions of dollars in supplies and advocated against local budget cuts impacting critical local services. During the COVID epidemic, NYCAL secured more than $150,000 which was redistributed in aid to communities in need of essential support and supplies. From 2018 to 2020 Carlene served as a board member of Manhattan Community Board 10 before moving to The Bronx. Prior to founding NYC Action Lab, Carlene led organizing and advocacy efforts at the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and the Riverside Church as the Coordinator of Mission and Social Justice. Carlene is a past recipient of the Woman of Distinction Award (2017) for her local efforts in Senate District 31, Uptown, Manhattan.
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NYC Action Lab’s partners include: New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), African Communities Together (ACT), The Oyate Group, Envision Freedom Fund (EFF), Family Equality Council, Somos Community Cares, the Hood Incubator, Cannaclusive, Cannabis NYC, Cannaware, Techrow and more.
NYC Action Lab has been involved in various campaigns and mobilizations over the last decade including: Raise the Age, the Dream Act, the Climate March, the #March2Justice, #NoBanNoWall, Green Light NY, the Child Parent Security Act, The Stop Immigration Bond Abuse Act, The Women’s March and Tahanie Aboushi for Manhattan District Attorney.