Shaping Narratives. Amplifying Community Voices.
Ad Lab is a student-led nonprofit using storytelling, media, and design to amplify community voices and explore how narrative
About AdLab Impact
Our Mission
AdLab Impact is a student-led initiative that uses storytelling, design, and media to explore and amplify community voices. We aim to make complex social issues more accessible through visual narratives and real-world documentation.
FIELD NOTES:
Walk in My Shoes Conference — February 2026
Walk in My Shoes Conference — February 2026
Walk in My Shoes Conference — February 2026
At Groundswells annual “Walk in My Shoes” conference, students participated in workshops exploring identity, activism, and storytelling through discussion and reflection. The event created space for students to share perspectives and engage with real-world social issues.
Reflection:
What stood out most was how storytelling allowed people to feel heard and fostered a safe community environment.
Impact:
400+ students attended, with sessions focused on civic engagement and social awareness.
Youth Civic Engagement with WAVE
Walk in My Shoes Conference — February 2026
Walk in My Shoes Conference — February 2026
At Groundswells Walk in My Shoes conference, WAVE (Women for American Values and Ethics) facilitated early voter pre-registration for students starting at age 16. By lowering barriers to entry, the initiative reframed civic participation as something accessible and immediate rather than distant or abstract.
Reflection:
This moment highlighted how structural access—not just awareness—plays a critical role in shaping who participates in democratic processes.
Impact:
Students engaged directly with voter registration, gaining early exposure to civic systems and their role within them.