Alice Walker in Conversation with Andy Shallal at National Museum of African American History and Culture

When: Tuesday, October 16, 2018, 7-9pm

Details: Busboys and Poets and The National Museum of African American History and Culture present an evening with renowned author, Alice Walker. An internationally celebrated writer, poet and activist whose works include short fiction, children’s books, volumes of essays and novels, among them The Color Purple for which she won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Award in 1983. Walker will engage in an illuminating conversation with Andy Shallal, founder of Washington D.C. based cultural hub, Busboys and Poets, about a recently published collection of poems entitled Taking the Arrow Out of the Heart. Books will be available for sale and signing courtesy of Smithsonian Enterprises.

Where: Oprah Winfrey Theater at the NMAAHC

Free tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6101747/an-evening-with-alice-walker-washington-national-museum-of-african-american-history-culture-public-programs

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

Sep 2, 2025

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

For Langston Hughes on His 123 Birthday

Feb 1, 2024

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

Palestine Week 2024

Jan 12, 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

15 Influential, Iconic, and Inspiring Women Writers Through History

Mar 17, 2018

15 Influential, Iconic, and Inspiring Women Writers Through History Come into one of our Busboys and Poets bookshops and we can direct you to any number of wonderful books by women. From the high fantasy of N.K. Jemison to the sublime poetry of Joy Harjo to the intense investigations of Monique W. Morris we are … Continued

Call For Volunteers -  Peace Ball 2017

Dec 21, 2016

Volunteer for the Peace Ball!

Split This Rock Poem of the Week: Doritt Carroll

Sep 14, 2018

intermittent apnea of unknown causation I. the first time it happened i thought i was being strangled four fingers compressing each side of my throat no air II. have you ever eaten crabs? first you flip the breast tab up then you fold the crab back like the binding of a new book then … Continued

Busboys and Poets Books Literary Resolutions for 2018

Dec 31, 2017

Check out how the staff of Busboys and Poets Books anticipate spending 2018 (hint: it involves a lot of reading). Kris, Book Events Manager: “Last year my literary resolution was to read one book a week, for 52 books. I met that goal earlier this month (ending the year with 58!) so for 2018, I’m … Continued