Issues [1]
At New America, our work spans across five issue areas—each essential to building a nation and a world where everyone can thrive.
Education & Work

Education & Work

Democratic Futures

Democratic Futures

Global Security

Global Security

Technology & Democracy

Technology & Democracy

Thriving Families

Thriving Families
Latest [2]
Trending Topics

Democracy

National Security

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Immigration & Global Migration

See The Latest
Real Skills, Real Income: Why Youth Apprenticeship Is Resonating Now

Real Skills, Real Income: Why Youth Apprenticeship Is Resonating Now

Future-Proofing U.S. Nuclear Policy: Forecasting Outcomes of the Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile

Future-Proofing U.S. Nuclear Policy: Forecasting Outcomes of the Nuclear-Armed Sea-Launched Cruise Missile

Debunking Myths on Student Parent Data Collection

Debunking Myths on Student Parent Data Collection

The App Store Accountability Act Poses Serious Concerns for Privacy, Security, and Free Expression

The App Store Accountability Act Poses Serious Concerns for Privacy, Security, and Free Expression
Impact [3]

For over 25 years, New America’s insights and policy solutions have helped usher in sweeping, long-term change. Discover how we have turned bold ideas into real-world impact.

See Our Impact

Redrawing School Boundaries for Fairer Funding

Redrawing School Boundaries for Fairer Funding

Reframing Fusion Voting as a Practical, Powerful Reform Strategy

Reframing Fusion Voting as a Practical, Powerful Reform Strategy

Harnessing Terrorism Data to Reshape U.S. National Security Policy

Harnessing Terrorism Data to Reshape U.S. National Security Policy

Establishing a National Housing Loss Rate

Establishing a National Housing Loss Rate
Fellows [4]
For more than 25 years, New America has supported hundreds of fellows as they pursue ambitious work. Through our flagship Fellows Program and specialized fellowships, we back ideas rooted in depth, rigor, and lasting relevance.

See All Fellowships
New America Fellows

The New America Fellows Program supports thinkers, creators, and storytellers whose work shapes public conversation on the defining issues of our time.
Us@250 Fellowship

Learning Sciences Exchange (LSX) Fellowship

Future Security Fellowships

Future of Work Reporting Fellowship
Events [5]

New America hosts various in-person, virtual, and hybrid events. Join the conversation.

See Our Events

From Life Itself

From Life Itself

Cultivating Connections: Why Relationships Matter for Youth Apprenticeship

Cultivating Connections: Why Relationships Matter for Youth Apprenticeship

Private 5G Networks at Risk

Private 5G Networks at Risk

Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, and the Future of Knowledge

Artificial Intelligence, Higher Education, and the Future of Knowledge
About [6]
Generating big ideas and bold solutions for a new America.

Learn About Us
About Us

Who We Are

Leadership

Programs, Projects, and Initiatives

Careers

Funding

Press
Search
Subscribe
Donate

Reimagining Work-Family Stories at South by Southwest

May 4, 2026

Jasmine Heyward / New America

Re-Scripting Gender, Work, Family, and Care was thrilled to continue our 2026 festival run at South by Southwest (SXSW) last month. We presented our work to diverse audiences and met brilliant creatives across disciplines who are interested in telling authentic stories about work, family, and care.

Speakers Elliot Haspel, Vicki Shabo, Charlotte Guinn, and Jen Bradwell sit on a small stage at South by Southwest EDU in front of a purple banner.

SXSW Edu with Make a Circle and Imaginable Futures

Vicki Shabo spoke on a panel celebrating the Make a Circle documentary and exploring narrative change around early education with filmmaker Jen Bradwell, Better Life Lab fellow Elliot Haspel, and child care provider Charlotte Guinn.

Check out the documentary.

The following day, we joined our friends at Imaginable Futures for the Crossover Day Mixer to discuss the intersections of education and innovation as they affect working families and early childhood educators.

Vicki Shabo sits in a directors' chair in front of a pink, yellow, and teal banner, speaking into a microphone, next to Alex Schmider and Dennis St. Rose. — *Jasmine Heyward*

Previewing the Full Story Initiative

Vicki also presented on two panels with CAA Community and Impact and GLAAD to discuss the upcoming relaunch of the Full Story Initiative and its toolkit. This initiative brings together social impact organizations and advocates to collate resources on telling authentic, pro-social stories on a variety of topics.

We’re grateful to the Muslim House®—produced by MPAC®-Hollywood Bureau, with the support of The Doris Duke Foundation—and the Impact Lounge for hosting these discussions, and are excited for the upcoming full launch of the new initiative toolkit.

Learn more about the Full Story Initiative on its website.

Members of Film Fatales gather in a group behind a round table set for brunch. — *Miachel Pruett / Film Fatales*

Connecting with Creatives

As always, we were excited to connect with filmmakers across our partner network and find new ways to support authentic storytelling. At SXSW, we attended Solidarity House‘s community social hour and co-hosted a brunch with Film Fatales. This event, which focused on reimagining depictions of work, family, and care, was the first of three filmmaker gatherings we’ll program with Film Fatales this year. Vicki facilitated a fireside chat with filmmakers Alyse Walsh (Baby/Girls) and Luchina Fisher (The Dads), two documentarians whose films that courageously and authentically explored gender, work, and family issues debuted at SXSW. The brunch also engaged the group of 22 filmmakers in a rich conversation about work-family inclusion on- and off-screen.

See more from the social hour and the brunch on Instagram.

Looking Forward

Next up, we’ll be at the Tribeca Film Festival in June, reconnecting with many of the partners we collaborated with at SXSW and the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. Stay connected with us by subscribing to our newsletter or reaching out via email.