Overview

ANHD’s annual Fight Forward event series builds power across NYC’s housing and economic development actors. Our 2026 event series will provide in-person spaces to have timely, thought-provoking conversations, connect with others in the movement, and celebrate our collective power and resilience.

ANHD Member Event: Preservation

 

ANHD brought together 70+ members for a discussion with NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy on advancing affordable housing preservation.  The discussion centered on the challenges facing distressed, nonprofit-owned housing and the policies needed to stabilize and safeguard these homes. Members shared perspectives from their work in the field and engaged in a candid dialogue about how public agencies can support long-term affordability. The gathering also served as an opportunity to connect, reflect, and shape collective priorities.

Speaker

Dina Levy
Commissioner, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)

ANHD Member Event: Code Enforcement & Landlord Accountability

ANHD convened 60+ organizers and tenant leaders from our membership to meet with senior leadership from NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Together, participants discussed ways to strengthen the current code enforcement process and ensure tenants receive timely and quality repairs in their apartments. Members shared on-the-ground insights from buildings across the city and identified opportunities to build on existing systems, support more responsive approaches, and deepen collaboration in the communities most impacted.

Speakers

AnnMarie Santiago
Deputy Commissioner for Enforcement and Neighborhood Services, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)

Adam Phillips
First Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)

Celeste Hornbach,
Executive Advisor for Special Projects, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)

In Community: Merchant Power in Jackson Heights

We partnered with our member organization Chhaya CDC for a walking tour of Jackson Heights’ vibrant commercial corridors where government, nonprofit, and community development partners were able to meet immigrant merchant leaders, hear directly about the displacement pressures facing local businesses, and learn about how merchant organizing contributes to neighborhood stability, equitable economic development, and commercial corridor resilience throughout New York City. Attendees also learned how community development organizations like Chhaya are advancing this work through ANHD’s Citywide Merchant Organizing Project (CMOP).

Speakers

Annetta Seecharran – Chhaya CDC; ANHD Board of Directors

Urgen Sherpa – Chhaya CDC

Jessica Taylor – Goldman Sachs

NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya

Council Member Gale Brewer

Council Member Shekar Krishnan

Assembly Member Catalina Cruz

Jackson Heights small business owners

In Community: Responsible Banking & Reinvestment

As federal financial protections continue to shift, New York’s regulatory leadership is becoming even more consequential. On September 22, we held a timely conversation on how local government is stepping in to protect consumers, strengthen community reinvestment, and expand oversight amid rapid changes in the financial services sector, while supporting a strong, innovative, and inclusive financial sector.

Speakers

Mark Levine
NYC Comptroller

Senator James Sanders Jr.
Chair of the NYS Senate Committee on Banks

Brandee McHale
Head of Community Investing and Development, Citi; President of the Citi Foundation

Jamal Clayton Robinson
Executive Director, IMPACCT Brooklyn

Glenn Davis
Development Manager, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation

Series Finale Event: Building Community Power in a Pivotal Time

Thursday October 22, 4 – 7:30pm
El Museo del Barrio
1230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029

 

Get your ticket here!  

 

Join ANHD the evening of Thursday, October 22nd for the culminating event of our 2026 Fight Forward series, Building Community Power in a Pivotal Time, where we’ll bring together leaders working across the New York City community development field for conversation, celebration, and connection.

As turbulent forces shape our present and the political landscape continues to change rapidly, we will explore how the community development movement can come together – not just to meet this moment, but to fight forward to a vision beyond it.

The long-simmering affordability crisis is coming to a full boil, and exacerbated by the current federal policy landscape. Tenants are dealing with stagnant wages and high rents – even for low-quality housing – while nonprofit affordable housing providers confront persistent rent arrears, skyrocketing costs, and shortfalls. After decades of struggle, we currently risk losing some of NYC’s most deeply affordable housing. Proposed changes to the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) pose serious threats to BIPOC- and immigrant-owned small businesses.

At the same time, we are in a moment of great opportunity and momentum. We must unite across sectors to ensure our communities can retain their hard-earned power and thrive. This will require action from our partners in government, and strengthened ties across individuals and organizations with divergent approaches to community development.

Drawing on the rich history of community development in New York City, we will explore how to protect our hard-won subsidized housing, tenant protections, small business supports, and more – while building towards a New York City truly driven by community power.

After our featured speakers and panel discussion, the evening will conclude with a networking reception where you’ll have a chance to connect with people across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, exchange ideas, and build the relationships that drive community development across the city – with food provided by Salsa Caterers.

 

Featured Speakers

Darrick Hamilton
Professor and founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School

Jamaal T. Bailey
New York State Senator; Chairman of Committee on Insurance

 

Panelists


Sheila Garcia
Director of Organizing, Mothers on the Move (MOM); ANHD Board of Directors

Yvonne Stennett
Executive Director, Community League of the Heights (CLOTH)


Jessica Clemente
CEO, Nos Quedamos / We Stay

Consultants, Vendors & Partners

ANHD prioritizes working with an array of local and MWBE (minority, women-owned business enterprise) consultants, vendors & partners. They include:

Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FWPA)
El Museo del Barrio
Himalayan Yak Restaurant
Luce Productions
Neighborly Events
The New York Academy of Sciences
Juliana Leite Neri
Nepali Bhanchha Ghar
Phe Studios
Printgraphi
Rodriguez Valle Creative
Salsa Caterers
Samuel Lahoz Photography

Social Media and Hashtag

The official hashtag of this ANHD event series is #BuildCommunityPower

Follow ANHD on Instagram and LinkedIn @ANHDnyc and on Bluesky @anhd.org for up-to-date info and recaps!

Sponsors

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the 2026 series! Sponsors are recognized as part of the Fight Forward event series and participate in conversations that invest in community-led housing and equitable economic development across New York City.

Sponsorship benefits can include:

  • In-room participation at Fight Forward events
  • Visibility across ANHD events and communications
  • Digital and on-site recognition, including tabling opportunities at select events
  • Limited opportunities to contribute remarks or participate in facilitated discussions
  • Opportunities to connect with mission-driven nonprofit, public, and financial sector partners
  • Investment in ANHD’s core policy, research, and capacity-building work

For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Lauren Nye, Director of Operations, at lauren.n@anhd.org.