Throughout September, communities across and beyond Northern Illinois came together for a powerful journey of truth, healing, and reflection through screenings of the film A Binding Truth and a special post-film interview. A Binding Truth follows De and Jimmie Kirkpatrick in their journey of uncovering intertwined stories, linking their personal experiences to America’s broader legacy of slavery, racial division, and the difficult work of healing. Organized by Collective Action to Build Community, the film was screened at 16 locations with the support of 21 sponsors and several community partners. 

The response was overwhelming: over 1,000 people viewed A Binding Truth in person or online and over 80 more joined a live Zoom interview on Sept. 28. Many attendees shared heartfelt reactions after the film, expressing how deeply it resonated and how important its message is in today’s world as communities continue to confront the realities of racial injustice and seek paths toward healing and understanding. 

To deepen the conversation, CA2BC hosted a special interview featuring Jimmie and De Kirkpatrick, who courageously shared their experiences and reflections on the story behind the film. The conversation was led by Christian Harris of Reparation Generation, with filmmaker Louise Woehrle offering behind-the-scenes insights into the making of A Binding Truth. The dialogue provided a powerful opportunity to explore the film’s themes of truth, reconciliation, and hope. 

The reach of the screenings extended far beyond Illinois. Over 100 participants in Florida joined through Illinois-based sponsors, while more than 75 participants from the UMC of Whitefish Bay, Wis., also took part. Beginning Sept. 30, the 55-minute PBS version of movie became available for free streaming through March 31, 2026, making it accessible to an even wider audience. 

 This year’s screenings built on the success of last year’s film event featuring Origin, which drew over 600 participants across 13 locations and included a special interview with scholar and author Dr. Suraj Yengde. Earlier in August, CA2BC also hosted screenings of A Blueprint for Racial Healing at four locations. The film shared a similar theme, telling the story of a Black and white family coming together to confront and tell the true history of racism, continuing CA2BC’s mission to foster dialogue, understanding, and healing through powerful storytelling. 

CA2BC is a collaboration of community groups and institutions—including both secular and faith-based organizations—working toward a more inclusive society. “Whether you are descendants of the enslaved or the enslaver, there is inner work to be done,” reflected CA2BC member and NIC Project Manager Amania Drane. “I choose truth and love in spite of the pain. Thanks to Jimmie, De, and Louise for a brilliant work of truth and love.” 

Together, these efforts reflect CA2BC’s ongoing commitment to fostering understanding, building relationships, and inspiring action toward racial healing and community transformation across Northern Illinois and beyond.