Kalmanovitz Initiative for Labor and the Working Poor

Another year another Labor Capital Strategies Fellowship cohort!⁠
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We are so excited to welcome this new group. These students will be gaining experience in responsible investing, labor unions, law firms, or policy/advocacy work.⁠
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This June, we gathered at the Mortara Center on the campus of Georgetown University for orientation. The day included introductions and sharing of key information. Founder Tom Croft gave the fellows the Heartland mission and ideals and our very own Co-Director Lane Windham put on her historian hat to deliver a history of labor organizing in the U.S.

Debbie Berkowitz, KI Practitioner Fellow and worker safety and policy expert, comments on the new, dangerous rules on increased processing times in meat processing coming from the Trump administration.

"The proposed rules are “just doing the industry’s bidding,” said Berkowitz, who worked at OSHA for six years."

New Trump Rules Will Make Meat Processing a Lot Deadlier | The New Republic The industry spent big to get faster line speeds. Experts say it will increase injuries to workers and make the food you eat less safe.

KI Co-director Lane Windham and Director of Student and Community Engagement Alainn Hanson join Georgetown students at the Washington Monument for May Day!

KI intern Andy (‘C26) has been profiled by the College of Arts and Sciences for his academic and political contributions to the university.

“Andy embodies the idea that learning should sharpen one’s understanding of the world and preparing one to help make it more just and inclusive,” [Kalmanovitz Initiative Executive Director Joseph] McCartin said. Also calling Feng, “one of the most curious students I’ve ever taught.”

Check out the full profile: https://college.georgetown.edu/news-story/andy-feng-immigration-policy-reform-workers-rights/

We wrapped up this school year by celebrating our student interns. The KI student internship places students in paid positions at organizations all over the city during the Fall, Spring AND Summer semester.

Congratulations to our interns, especially our graduating seniors!

Hey, Seattle! For over five years, the Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity have been working, advocating and educating for the past, present, and future of racial equality in Seattle schools. ✊🏻✊🏼✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿

Now, join them for "RHS: Beyond Black & White" 📽️ a short film documentary about the real experiences of Roosevelt High alum 🌹Roosevelt Alumni for Racial Equity - RARE

https://rhs4racialequity.org/roosevelt-high-school-beyond-black-white/

Thank you so much to everyone who attended the Boston Labor Conference!

Steve Stiffler introduced the event, and MA AFL-CIO President Chrissy Lynch opened up the event. We also had an amazing panel on Labor, Technology, and Justice, featuring (left to right) Evan Rothman of PSC CUNY, Ben Shallop of Sag-Aftra, Carlos Aramayo of Unite Here, and Rachel Inegbedion of UMass Boston.

In 2026, women still make a fraction of the pay men receive for doing the same work. On Equal Pay Day, KI Co-Director Lane Windham joined Fox 5 DC to discuss the progress made and what we need to do next.

Lane Windham Discusses Equal Pay Day Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.