Life After Layoffs: Stories of Resilience - Featuring the faces, stories, and futures of displaced workers

Life After Layoffs: Stories of Resilience brings these experiences to life through the photography of Allan Dinkoff, capturing the faces and personal journeys of displaced public servants as they navigate loss, rediscover purpose, and reimagine what comes next. In partnership with DC Public Library (DCPL), The Upskilling Labs, and wellfed, this initiative shines a light on more than the impact of federal workforce cuts. It celebrates the resilience of those finding their way forward, the communities helping them rebuild, and the new possibilities emerging from profound disruption. These are stories of loss, courage, reinvention, and hope. A reminder that while layoffs may end a chapter of public service, they do not define the people who served or the futures they have yet to build. Because resilience isn't simply about bouncing back. It's about moving forward, and the power of community to help us get there. Featuring portraits and personal interviews by photographer Allan Dinkoff, the evening will bring the human impact of federal workforce cuts into focus. Attendees will hear firsthand stories of career reinvention, participate in facilitated conversations about the challenges of rebuilding, and explore what meaningful support and recovery could look like for displaced workers across the region. Together, we'll reflect on what's been lost, recognize what's being rebuilt, and identify what our community needs to move forward.