This summer I participated in a neighborhood accelerator with Cabin with a goal of galvanizing a local block community on West 75th Street in New York City. Through the ups and downs of organizing, I discovered just how powerful a small, committed group can be in transforming a neighborhood. In my new zine, Block by Block: The Manhattan 75 Chronicles, I’ve captured the journey of bootstrapping a block association—from lemonade stands to rooftop parties—with a little help from AI. (All comics generated with AI Comic Factory, storyboards created in partnership with ChatGPT.)

Panel 1: In the Heart of the Upper West Side, Bethany, a determined community-builder, begins her mission to unite her neighbors.
Panel 2: With flyers in hand and a vision in mind, she sparks connections through a WhatsApp group.
Panel 3: The rooftop meet-and-greet brings together a diverse cast of characters, including a ballroom dancer and a recent Parsons graduate.
Panel 4: As the building bonds, Bethany realizes community work isn't all potlucks and small talk—sometimes it's water leaks and rooftop cat rescues.

Panel 1: Encouraged by her initial success, Bethany looks beyond her building to the wider block, organizing a rainy day picnic in Riverside Park.
Panel: With Heather, a retired teacher, by her side, they begin planning a transformative event: "Breakfast on the Block."
Panel 3: As they navigate city bureaucracy, Bethany starts connecting with residents in key buildings, tinkering with AI tools to streamline their plans.
Panel 4: Even a small community garden project attracts new neighbors, bringing more people into the fold.

Panel 1: Bethany's journey takes her across New York City, meeting with block associations in different neighborhoods, each with its own set of challenges and solutions.
Panel 2: She stumbles upon a block party in Brooklyn and meets with local leaders who share stories about the 20-year history of their block community.
Panel 3: Back on her block, Bethany discovers a wealth of resources from former organizers, including crucial documents and a small fund, sparking her determination to elevate their community efforts.
Panel 4: Armed with newfound knowledge and resources, Bethany and her neighbors gather at the diner, symbolizing hope and the beginning of a transformational community-building journey.

Panel 1: As summer winds down, Bethany hosts a successful lemonade stand with her kids, bringing in dozens of new contacts, including a surprise visit from the FDNY.
Panel 2: Balancing the emotional labor of community building with logistical challenges, Bethany relies on support from the Cabin community cohort.
Panel 3: As another neighbor steps up to invite her building to join another group messaging thread, Bethany realizes she is not the only one ready to put in work to improve her block.
Panel 4: With renewed energy, Bethany prepares for the second phase of The Manhattan 75, with a fall rooftop party and "Breakfast on the Block."