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.
Evening Program
5:30 PM | Reception & Community Connection
6:00 PM | Welcome & Introduction (Rebecca Ferguson-Ondrey, wellfed and Sandra Moscoso, The Upskilling Labs)
6:10 PM | Behind the Portraits: Stories of Resilience
Allan Dinkoff shares the stories and interviews behind his portraits.
6:45 PM | Community Conversations: The Impact of Loss
Small-group discussions exploring the personal, financial, and professional impact of layoffs, shared experiences, and immediate needs.
7:00 PM | The AI Upskilling Cohort Pilot documentary film excerpt
7:10 PM | Rebuilding What's Next: Stories of Career Reinvention
A moderated panel featuring displaced federal workers who have navigated career pivots, upskilling, and new professional opportunities. Moderator: Toni Waymer. Panelists: Brittney Chappell (VP of Capture, Alpha Omega), Shawn Gregoire (Founder, Capstone Tech, LLC)
7:45 PM | Community Conversations: Pathways Forward
Facilitated discussions on what's helped, what barriers remain, and how DC can better support displaced workers and their families.
8:00 PM | Closing Reflections
8:15 PM - ? | Happy Hour at Penn Social
At its heart, this evening is about making the invisible visible, honoring the people behind the headlines, and recognizing that resilience is something we build together.
About The Upskilling Labs
Ready to be part of it? Join the community of hundreds of Upskillers (and growing) today.
The Upskilling Labs (https://theupskillinglabs.org/) is an open, project-based learning community where you build real things with real people. Every quarter, we run a Build Cycle themed around an industry—participants form pods around real problems, develop AI-enabled solutions together, and showcase what they've built. No credentials required. Just show up ready to learn alongside others.
About wellfed
wellfed (https://wearewellfed.com/) is a nonprofit organization developed to support transition for the fired [and tired] workforce. wellfed delivers meet-you-in-the-moment programs & experiences that cultivate a community of nourished & empowered professionals.
The Upskilling Labs records then transcribes workshop and keynote events with AI for marketing purposes.