Founded in 2017 by models Cameron Russell and Áine Campbell, the model mafia is now 200+  fashion models strong, brought together to work towards a more equitable, just, sustainable industry and world. We are a self-moderated, self-organizing group based in New York City, but with members opening hubs in Los Angeles and the Netherlands in 2018, as well as branching out into subgroups including Models of Color and Models for Sustainability. We have a lively listserv, and our community members frequently organize events from serving our local communities (doing things like gardening and beach clean-ups), to educating ourselves (through book groups and online classes), to organizing around issues we care about (e.g. working groups on ending sexual harassment and abuse in fashion). While 2017 has been a hard year for people and planet, finding a way to come together, to build a leaderful powerful community, has been an source of genuine hope and joy.