We celebrated the newly elected members of Congress on January 4, with special guest moderators, Medea Benjamin (CODEPINK) and Raed Jarrar (Iraqi-American Peace and Human Rights Activist). The audience raised domestic and international issues they wanted to discuss with members of Congress who may have attended.

Many members of congress were still in session, but Rep. David Cicilline and a staff member of Rep. Ro Khanna were able to join us in discussion with our moderators and audience. We were also joined by spoken word artist Dior Ashley Brown, and Bob Bland and Kristin Mink of the Women’s March. The discussion brought challenging questions, different perspectives and new outlooks. Below are some photos of the celebration that night. You can also catch our Facebook Live recap here.

Audience asked questions and raised points for discussion at the Busboys and Poets New House Celebration event
Audience asked moderators and guests about domestic policy and social issues
Representative David Cicilline for Rhode Island's 1st congressional district joined Busboys and Poets for a New House Celebration at its 14th & V location.
Rep. David Cicilline joined us to celebrate the new Congress. He represents Rhode Island’s 1st district and was the first openly gay mayor of a U.S. state capital.
Dior Ashley Brown performs a piece at Busboys and Poets New House Celebration event.
Spoken word artist, Dior Ashley Brown
The Making of Busboys and Poets

A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets

We’re proud to announce A Seat at the Table: The Making of Busboys and Poets, the new memoir from our CEO and Founder, which reveals the vision, challenges, and triumphs behind opening Busboys and Poets. Packed with misadventures, unexpected triumphs, and insights on race, business and politics, Andy Shallal’s memoir takes us on a “How I Built … Continued

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For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Speech given on February 1, 2024 in Havana, Cuba In 1927 Langston Hughes walked into a Cuba amid an emerging community of artists, intellectuals, and radicals.  He saw a “sunrise in a new land [– a day – in his words]sic – full of brownskin surprises, and hitherto unknown contacts in a world of color.”  … Continued

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Palestine Week 2024

January 18, 2024 – January 25, 2024 In keeping with our ongoing mission of uplifting racial and cultural connections, Busboys and Poets is hosting Palestine Week (January 18 through January 25, 2024). This week-long series of events will offer a diverse range of programming featuring Palestinian food, music, dance, poetry, discussions, and other enriching events. … Continued

#BusboysGood: AJ Head

#BusboysGood: AJ Head

Busboys and Poets Events Manager AJ Head talks to us about tranisitioning and his creative life.

The Impact: Mass Incarceration

The Impact: Mass Incarceration

The Impact of Mass Incarceration is the first of “The Impact” series hosted by Busboys and Poets Books.  Our weeklong program delves into the impact of mass incarceration and will address the inequities of the criminal legal system. The series will explore The Impact on victims, their communities, their families, and the lack of resources … Continued

Busboys and Poets Book Review: Home.Girl.Hood.

Busboys and Poets Book Review: Home.Girl.Hood.

There are rare literary moments when you can truly see an author shine beyond what they have set for you on the page. A sort of kinesthesia takes place as the characters and their stories move in such a compelling way that all five of your senses can’t help but be engaged and feel truly … Continued

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DC VegFest Media Party at Takoma

We kicked off another year of DC VegFest by hosting the media party in the Guillén Room at Takoma to about 60 local and national influencers. For the last four years we’ve sponsored DC VegFest and have provided an overflowing buffet of various vegan foods from our catering and regular menu, like vegan “beef” sliders, … Continued