About Busboys and Poets

Busboys and Poets is a gathering place, restaurant, bookstore, performance space and community space that promotes peace and social justice. Their flagship location in Washington, DC at 14th & V Streets NW is located in the Langston Lofts, a residential building in Washington’s historic ‘U Street Corridor.’

We believe in the mission of B Corporation and feel that through our leadership, others can follow suit.

The U Street Corridor has long been a center of DC’s cultural and activist scene. In its cultural heyday, the U Street corridor was known as “Black Broadway,” a phrase coined by jazz singer Pearl Bailey. A strong desire to pay homage to U Street’s traditional identity led proprietor Andy Shallal to reach out to community leaders, neighborhood groups, churches, schools, and other civic organizations during the development of Busboys. What emerged is a dedication to preserve this historic community and an unwavering commitment to its residents.

The Change We Seek™

Busboys and Poets wants to be a center of thought for those who believe that social justice and peace are attainable goals.

• Each Busboys and Poets location should enhance the community – allowing them to bring together a diverse clientele reflective of the surrounding neighborhoods. Busboys and Poets creates an environment where shared conversations over food and drink allow the progressive, artistic and literary communities to dialogue, educate and interact.

• Busboys and Poets Books is run by the nonprofit organization Teaching for Change. They donate space in our flagship location and Teaching for Change keeps all of the profits. Teaching for Change's mission is to provide teachers and parents with the tools to transform schools into centers of justice where students learn to read, write and change the world.

• Busboys and Poets Books is excited to announce their partnership with Capital BookShare, a volunteer organization committed to the belief that all children deserve access to good books in their schools. Busboys and Poets are joining with them in their efforts to collect books through drives in the community and share them with teachers in underprivileged DC area schools.

Busboys & Poets

• Industry: Restaurant
• Product/Services: Restaurant
• Location: Washington, DC
• http://www.busboysandpoets.com