Grassroot Activism in
washington DC
AMPLIFYING
scope of work
In partnership with GOODProjects, we created a documentary that follows three exceptional community leaders from Washington D.C.'s Black Justice Fellowship. This film explores their personal journeys, the challenges they've overcome, and how they're creating meaningful change in their communities.
From domestic violence survivors to educational innovators, each subject's story represents a unique facet of grassroots activism and resilience. Through intimate interviews and on-the-ground filming, we captured both their daily work and the transformative potential of their community-centered initiatives.
Black Justice Fellowship
The Black Justice Fellowship, is an initiative of GOOD Projects, which was founded by Darius Baxter. The fellowship identifies and empowers emerging Black leaders fighting for justice and equity. Ten selected leaders participate in a four-month intensive program where they:
Receive a stipend to advance their work
Develop strategic plans
Connect with mentors and resources to scale their impact
Each fellow tackles critical issues including healthcare access, racial justice, police reform, economic empowerment, and education equity—creating tangible change in communities that have historically faced disinvestment.
OUR APPROACH
We committed to a documentary approach that balanced cinematic quality with authentic storytelling. We had to narrow the film down to three fellows, which was a difficult choice. Our production was only about two weeks of filming, but it spanned a year, capturing defining moments in each fellow's work:
Brielle helping a domestic violence survivor secure emergency housing
Yasmin preparing high school students for SAT exams through her innovative program
Correy mentoring youth while developing plans for an Empowerment Resource Center
Throughout filming, we prioritized the fellows' comfort and agency, allowing their voices and experiences to guide the narrative rather than imposing our own structure.
goals
This documentary aims to:
Inspire young people from similar backgrounds to pursue their own entrepreneurial and community-focused dreams
Amplify the work of changemakers whose efforts often go unrecognized
Highlight GOODProjects' innovative approach to community empowerment
Serve as a fundraising tool to sustain the Black Justice Fellowship
Challenge simplistic narratives about black people, Washington D.C.'s communities, and the solutions we need to fight poverty
outcome & impact
The documentary is being used to:
Help secure funding for the Black Justice Fellowship's next cohort
Create a platform for fellows to share their stories with wider audiences
Provide each featured organization with professional video content for their own fundraising and awareness efforts
Document pivotal ideas and moments in D.C.'s activism landscape
This project demonstrates how documentary filmmaking can be more than observation—it can actively contribute to the sustainability of the initiatives it documents.
“We don’t just need people marching in the streets. We need people doing the daily work of transforming communities. This film shows what that looks like.”
