Dozens filed into the Historic Theatre at the Alameda Theatre & Cineplex on February 28, for a free screening of It’s Basic, a new documentary directed by Marc Levin that looks at the impact of several pilot programs across the country that provide monthly, no-strings-attached payments to needy families. The film’s executive producer, Michael Tubbs, is the former Mayor of Stockton and founder of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income (MGI).
Under Tubbs’ leadership, Stockton was one of the first cities in the nation to experiment with universal basic income (UBI), paying 125 randomly selected residents $500 per month for two years beginning in early 2019. The idea gained traction when Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang thrust UBI onto the national stage in the run-up to the 2020 election, proposing a “Freedom Dividend” that would pay every American adult $1,000 per month, regardless of employment or other factors.
Critics of UBI have suggested that the payouts could fuel drug or alcohol consumption or discourage recipients from working. But the film aims to rebut the naysayers and explores the new decisions, experiences, and opportunities that a monthly guaranteed income floor offers beneficiaries in cities like Saint Paul, Cambridge, and Los Angeles.
Unlike UBI, guaranteed basic income (GBI) programs instead target specific populations, generally low-income communities, with the express intent of alleviating economic inequity. For the recipients interviewed in the film, it was clear that the monthly payments were not the sole source of income, but rather a meaningful investment in economic and social stability. Many were in the midst of furthering themselves in their careers or academic studies.
“The extra money doesn’t make me any lazier! But it’s enough to let us breathe,” said Abby Jacoby, a married mother living in Saint Paul, Minnesota, who is trying to balance childcare with her pursuit of higher education.
Guaranteed income in Alameda
“It makes sense to see the film,” Mayor Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft told the Alameda Post ahead of the screening. A member of MGI, Ashcraft added that it was “so inspiring to hear what Stockton did,” which encouraged her to bring the idea to Alameda. In May 2022, City Council appropriated $4.6 million in American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 funds for a GBI pilot program.
Known as “Rise Up Alameda,” the program is designed to provide $1,000 per month to 150 low-income Alameda households over a two-year period as an attempt to “reduce economic instability for program participants,” according to the program’s website. Some participants are already receiving payments, but the list of beneficiaries is still being finalized.
Following the film, Ashcraft and Rowena Brown, District Director for Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s office, moderated a panel discussion featuring two recipients of Alameda County’s NET Growth Movement GBI program, Samantha Davis and Majesty Mack, which aims to help former foster youth transition into adulthood.
Both women described the difficulties of aging out of the foster care system without a place to go or family to rely on.
“I really was stressing about, ‘I have to do this on my own, I have no one to turn to,’” said Davis.
Mack added, “I’ve experienced working and being laid off and not knowing if the money that I have in my account is going to be able to cover my expenses, plus my kid’s expenses.” Mack moved into transitional housing with a one-year-old child. “To have an income that helps supplement what you’re not able to provide for yourself is just amazing. It’s very hard—the cost of living just keeps rising.”
She credits the program with helping her secure a housing voucher for an apartment, which then allowed her to go back to work and school. “This money has helped take care of bills and pay for childcare,” she said. “Even though I get a subsidy for that, I still have to come out of pocket at least $600 a month. This gives me a little wiggle room to…do what I need to do to elevate in life, become more productive, and reach my potential.”
With the extra income, Davis has been able to travel and reconnect with family and friends out of state, while getting a new perspective on life. Mack is finishing her Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training and is deep in an educational journey that will allow her to pursue her dream of working with children with disabilities.
Following the event, audience members had positive takeaways.
“It’s compelling to see people’s stories on camera and to hear what matters,” said Stephanie Hipps, a teacher at Alameda High School.
Elizabeth Kuwada said, “I live in Alameda, and I wanted to learn more. It sounds like [GBI] really works, and has a lot of impact.”
It’s Basic is being screened nationwide as part of a multi-city tour in an attempt to engage communities in discussions on solutions to poverty and financial stability.
Ken Der is a contributing writer for the Alameda Post. Contact him via [email protected]. His writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Ken-Der.
