"The Other Side of Affordability: How NYC Can Boost Incomes,
Build Wealth, and Expand Pathways to the Middle Class"
 Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

Thursday, April 16, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. 
150W17TH (formerly The Rubin Museum)
150 West 17th Street

To attend in-person, RSVP via this link.
To watch the livestream, RSVP via this link.

Solving New York City’s affordability crisis will require more than just tackling the soaring cost of living. City leaders will also need a plan for the other side of the equation—raising incomes, building wealth, and expanding pathways to the middle class—so that a lot more New Yorkers can afford to live here.

This policy forum will advance concrete ideas, opportunities, and strategies for city and state leaders to address this side of the affordability crisis. Speakers will discuss specific steps that city leaders can take to help more New Yorkers achieve financial security, access well-paying jobs, grow businesses, build assets, save for retirement, and achieve upward mobility.
 

Confirmed speakers include:

• Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair, Committee on Education
• Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair, Committee on Higher Education
• Lauren Andersen, Vice Chancellor for Career Engagement & Industry Partnerships, CUNY
• Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Executive Director, NYC Kids RISE
• Reuben Ogbonna, Executive Director & Co-Founder, The Marcy Lab School
• Justine Zinkin, CEO, Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners
   

Details
Thursday, April 16, 2026
8:00 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. (doors open at 8; program begins at 8:45)
@ 150W17TH (formerly The Rubin Museum)
150 West 17th Street

To attend in-person, please RSVP via this link. 
To watch the livestream, please RSVP via this link. 

We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in our programs. For questions or requests regarding access and accommodation, please contact Sophia Tumolo at [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance of the program.

This event was made possible thanks to generous support from Wells Fargo. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation and the Altman Foundation, support from Fisher Brothers Foundation for CUF's Middle Class Jobs Project, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.