DC GI Coalition’s Demanding Dignity Film Series: Cracked Shells Film, at the ONE DC Black Workers and Wellness Center

Demanding Dignity is the DC Guaranteed Income Coalition’s 2026 Economic Justice Film Series. Through film, food, fellowship, and community dialogue, we create space to learn together about what economic dignity requires: stable housing, real opportunity, and public choices that invest directly in people. The series is grounded in the American context where the arc of economic justice is inseparable from the treatment of marginalized communities, notably African Americans and increasingly, and the long history of organizing for freedom, fairness, and a more humane economy. Our goal is education that is practical, community rooted, and connected to real pathways for involvement in local guaranteed income and broader economic justice work. We welcome new partners for this series and invite organizations, parent leaders, youth leaders, artists, and allies to help shape future screenings, dialogue, and community resource connections.

We also intentionally host screenings in communities across Washington, DC to build awareness and support for guaranteed income: unconditional, regular payments that raise members of our community above an income floor so they can enjoy lives of dignity that meet their needs and allow them to dream, rest, and build. We demand guaranteed income to foster dignity for all.

The series opens with Cracked Shells, a documentary exploring displacement in Washington, DC and the fight to preserve “Chocolate City” culture and community. Each screening includes time for food and fellowship, the film, and dialogue grounded in lived expertise. Across the 2026 series, attendees leave inspired and better informed about how to support the local movement for guaranteed income and economic justice, with clear next steps to get involved. The series is also designed so community members, including pilot participants in local pilot programs, community partners, and allies have the opportunity to reflect, connect, and celebrate the impact of their work to advance permanent guaranteed income policy. Along the way, we share and connect people to local resources that support well being, and we strengthen regional momentum across the DMV for economic justice policies that align with the local and national guaranteed income movement.

DC Guaranteed Income Coalition Partners

Mother’s Outreach Network

Let’s GO DMV

ROC DC

Serve Your City/ Ward 6 Mutual Aid

Bread for the City

Spaces in Action

ONE DC Organizing Neighborhood Equity

District of Columbia Poor People’s Campaign, a National Call for Moral Revival

Foundry United Methodist Church