On October 24, 2026, the MCA hosts Deem Journal’s fourth annual symposium. Designing for Dignity 04: A Convening of Possibilities presents a day of hybrid in-person and online programming that positions and considers dignity as a foundational principle of design. Our shared belief in the innate value and deservingness of all human beings grounds how we characterize liberatory design thinking, as well as how we incubate its potential expansions while connecting to the most pressing challenges of the moment. As dignity is increasingly transgressed and disregarded by those in positions of leadership and power, it is all the more imperative that we recommit to our most essential values, and to each other. As in past years, this daylong gathering includes presentations, conversations, and a participatory activation that merges a variety of approaches to social practice. We engage an intergenerational community of experimentally inclined thinkers and doers who represent a range of lived and professional experiences and perspectives. As always, we hope that the time we share will stimulate dialogues that are energized by each person’s critical role in designing the world around them. The weekend begins on Friday, October 23, with a special preview screening of artist Kahlil Joseph’s feature directorial debut, BLKNWS: Terms & Conditions (2025). Spanning 247 years, the film weaves archival footage and social media into a portrait of Black consciousness, followed by a conversation between Joseph and curator jada-amina. Throughout the symposium weekend, Deem once again presents the Reference Room, a two-day public gathering space where anyone can encounter and spend time with the reading materials that have inspired our five print issues. The collection—books, articles, and essays—reflects throughlines in our research, specific references from our pages, and recommendations from our contributors. Our hope is to offer context and access to the ideas that shape Deem’s processes and beliefs, as well as a haven for reflection and repose. The Reference Room is open to all visitors from 10 am to 5 pm, October 23–24. Designing for Dignity 04: A Convening of Possibilities is made possible with support from the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, Graham Foundation, and Eames Institute.