What is the Culture Series?
Join expert guest curators from every corner of the city as they create one-of-a-kind events exploring DC stories, traditions and cultures with the goal of sparking conversations. The Culture Series is a free roaming monthly gathering that takes place at social hubs around the city and investigates topics like little-known bicycle racing in alleyways, LGBTQIA+ oral histories, and the tales of the African American Washingtonians who helped build the Smithsonian’s more remarkable exhibits. Come experience the public humanities in person as we delve into our city’s past, question our present and imagine the future.
Upcoming 2025 CULTURE SERIES LINEUP
January – James baldwin at 100
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Tracy Chiles McGhee for an exploration of James Baldwin’s profound legacy in “James Baldwin at 100: Celebrating the Enduring Witness.” This event marks the centennial of Baldwin’s birth and explores what it means to ‘bear witness’ in today’s world and how we, as artists, writers, and citizens, use our voices to confront injustice and inspire change in the spirit of Baldwin. The evening will feature a compelling panel discussion alongside artistic expressions including music, readings, and interactive elements.
march – bank on her
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curators Ingrid Gillies and Leslie Aroon Wash for a celebration of Women’s History Month with “Bank on Her: Exploring the Impact of the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA).” The event will celebrate this cornerstone piece of legislation, passed just fifty years ago, by exploring oral histories of women who experienced gender-based discrimination while pursuing lines of credit. Additionally, we will map the story of how the Equal Credit Opportunity Act came to be a national piece of legislation and discuss how women navigated their finances prior to the protections enacted in 1974. We shall also reveal the story of the Women’s National Bank, the first federally chartered women’s bank founded here in Washington, DC. The event will include a panel discussion, archival imagery, and clips from oral history interviews.
february – ’91 we in a dope jam
By the time Backyard Band released their hit single “‘91 We in a Dope Jam “, go-go had become a defining cultural force in DC. However, city officials struggled to battle a public health crisis that would record over 500 homicides by the end of the year, raising questions about go-go’s role in the city’s struggles. But was go-go actually to blame, or was it a space for community and healing? Join HumanitiesDC and guest curators Rhonda Henderson and Myron Long for an exploration of a deep love for go-go culture and its complex ties to the city’s joy, pain, and resilience.
April – The War on drugs in DC
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Caroline Phillips (National Cannabis Festival) for a thought-provoking discussion on the war on drugs. In 1989, Washington, DC, was an epicenter for the crack epidemic. Elected officials, including then-President George H.W. Bush, politicized the city’s struggles to further misguided and punitive policies that were implemented by Nixon’s “war on drugs.” For decades, these policies unjustly targeted Black and brown Americans, and DC was no exception. In 2024, we see a new era of progressive drug policies and restorative justice that includes cannabis legalization. From ending incarceration and creating paths for re-entry to opportunities in new industries and the chance to build wealth, what will it mean for DC residents to say “the drug war is over?”
To learn more and register for these events visit our Events Calendar.
BECOME A GUEST CURATOR
Do you have an idea of how to bring untold DC stories to life? Have you conducted research on a humanities topic or been working on a project that you would love the opportunity to present to the public? The Culture Series is looking for guest curators to help us co-create our next gatherings. We are looking for topics with strong connections to a humanities discipline, that are thoughtful, engaging and incorporate unique forms of presentation. Chosen curators receive compensation for their participation. For more information, reach out to our Public Programs team at programs@humanitiesdc.org or complete the submission form below.
Proposal Submission Form:
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