#PaintTheStorefronts

These are trying times for people and local, small businesses across the globe. Instead of boarding up our windows after an unfortunate act of vandalism, we’ve responded by spreading messages of optimism and hope by hiring local artists to #PaintTheStorefronts. All of our seven locations are painted, and we are spreading the movement; already we’ve painted uplifting messages on José Andres’ restaurants and a Yoga studio in Takoma.

We continue to be open at 14th & V, 450K, Shirlington, Hyattsville and Anacostica locations, employing as many as we can. Thank you to our community for the continuous support <3

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14th & V Busboys and Poets
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Hyattsville
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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

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What We Read This Month (July)

Looking for your next good read? Well you’re in luck…Busboys and Poets Books is full of busy little readers! Ellie, Bookstore Supervisor at 5th and K: It’s been a rough month for my attention span, so out of all of the books I started, I finished only two – Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain and The … Continued

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Everest Base Camp #17

Oxygen please or more Dawa wisdom After leaving the monastery I ask Dawa. How do you keep from slipping on these rocks. Dawa says. The foot has two parts. The thinker. And the doer. The thinker is the ball of the foot. The front of the foot. It senses things and can quickly adjust. It … Continued

Busboys and Poets Books Literary Resolutions for 2018

Busboys and Poets Books Literary Resolutions for 2018

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

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Split This Rock Poem of the Week: beyza ozer

When I Kiss You, A Casket Opens  — after june 12, 2016 this is not terrorism this is toxic masculinity  made in the USA when my mother hears  about orlando she doesn’t look at me the next day is three years  to the night we first kissed  & it actually meant something  to both of us … Continued