Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., once lovingly known as Chocolate City, has long been a beacon of Black culture, resilience, and community. For decades, the city’s identity was shaped by its majority Black population, who built and nurtured its rich cultural legacy. Today, that legacy stands at a crossroads. As gentrification rapidly transforms the city’s landscape, the traditions, voices, and histories that made D.C. soul-filled and singular are at risk of fading.
Cracked Shells is an intimate documentary chronicling the lives of longtime Black residents who have lived through this transformation. Through powerful storytelling and personal narratives, the film seeks to preserve the essence of Chocolate City and confront the realities of displacement and cultural erasure. We invite you to join us for an evening of film, reflection, and community.