When did this city
fold into the palm of my hand?
When did its lines
become a part of me?
When did I come to know
its faces?
when it sleeps
and when it wakes.
When did I see its beauty clearly?
When did my ears open to hear
a drumbeat
of a transplanted heart called home?
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
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
The Universe, According to Rufino Tamayo Past the breath that only stars have, I find myself an open hand of night with pupils that eclipse the moon. The blackness underneath my feet, not above where the sky is filled with sea. My eyelash covers the arm of the galaxy with one word that means, here. I shake … Continued
“I think the true meaning of leadership is recognizing your weakness, so you can make them your strong points.” On October 30, we had the pleasure of hosting Chef José Andrés at our 450K location. The conversation moderated by founder Andy Shallal with Chef Andrés, discussed the humbling story of why he went into cooking, … Continued
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Bearing the same name as Nina Simone’s iconic song, “Young, Gifted, and Black” explores the lives of 52 black people, both past and present, who have helped shaped different aspects of black culture. As author Jamia Wilson explains in the foreword, “this book is a love letter to our ancestors and the next generation of … Continued