On Monday, owner Andy Shallal made his way to NYC to sit on a panel discussion hosted by the Restaurant Opportunities Center United (ROC-United) at the Ford Foundation.  Along with food movement leaders, policy experts, journalists, artists, including actor Danny Glover, National Organization for Women (NOW) president Terry O’Neill, and ROC-United co-founder Saru Jayaraman, Andy spoke about the need for the restaurant industry to change the way it treats its workers. 

Busboys and Poets and Eatonville Restaurant are listed as one of ROC-United’s “High Road Restaurants.” Taking “the High Road to Profitability is an ethical, pragmatic, and profitable approach to doing business that benefits employers, employees, consumers and the community.” At Busboys and Poets and Eatonville, employees benefit from overtime pay, health insurance and paid sick leave, unlike the majority of the nation’s restaurants. Andy recommended to ROC-United, policy makers and consumers: “When I got to New York today, I noticed how restaurants post letter grades from the Health Department. What if they also had to post letter grades indicating the quality of the conditions for their workers?”

To learn more and get involved in consumer action and pressuring restaurants to pay sick leave to their employees click here.

Saru Jayaraman will be at Busboys and Poets on Feb. 13th to discuss her book, “Behind the Kitchen Door” at 6:30 PM in the Langston Room to bring attention to this human rights issue.

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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

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Community Resources for COVID-19

Here are some resources that you may be able to take advantage of: Find COVID-19 vaccine locations near you Back To School After Lockdown – Tips From An NHS Psychologist One Fair Wage – Emergency Funding for Tipped Employees/Service WorkersRWCF- Restaurant Workers COVID-19 Crisis Relief Fund USBG- COVID-19 Relief Grants for Bartenders Restaurant Opportunities Centers- United … Continued

Thoughts After A Race Conference

Thoughts After A Race Conference

1. Challenge racism. Family and close friends is a good place to start. Try “calling them in” before “calling them out”. Use the “I” language. Engage, don’t retreat.

Best Gluten-Free Menu!

Best Gluten-Free Menu!

Sending BIG LOVE to all of our beautiful guests, friends and family who voted for us in Washington City Paper’s Best of DC 2015 poll

15 Influential, Iconic, and Inspiring Women Writers Through History

15 Influential, Iconic, and Inspiring Women Writers Through History

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