HumanitiesDC

Stories in Motion at Mt. Pleasant Library
2025-10-29 12:30 - 16:00 (America/Halifax) | Mt. Pleasant Library, 3160 16th St NW, Washington, DC, 20010
The DC Oral History Collaborative will be at popping up at the Mt. Pleasant Library to help library goers learn about oral history and record informal interviews with their friends and family! The oral history booth will feature recording equipment, comfortable conversation space, and guides to help interviewers get started. Interviewers and interviewees will be able to take home their recordings on a flash drive and will learn options for archiving their interviews or conducting longer-form oral histories. There will be no obligation to submit the interviews to any institutional repository, and the booth will center the impact of interviewing and being interviewed.
No RSVP required. We will be tabling at the library all day.

If you don’t ask, you’ll never know!
The DC Oral History Collaborative is a partnership program of HumanitiesDC and the DC Public Library.

DC Zinefest 2025
2025-11-01 11:00 - 16:00 (America/Halifax) | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC, 20001
DC Zinfest is Saturday, November 1st from 11am–4pm at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library in downtown DC.
DC Zinefest is an annual, one-day independent event designed to provide a space for zine-makers, self-published artists, and writers to share their work with each other and the Washington, D.C., community. This year, we’ll have 80+ tablers exhibiting their work and interactive workshops throughout the day.
This year, we’re excited to support the workshop, Building Community with Zines in DC with Ipsy Bipsy Studio.
11:30-1:00 at MLK Library, 4th Floor, Room 401-G
During this workshop, Ipsy Bipsy Studio will dive into zine history and its role in underground movements and community building in DC. Participants will then make their own zines inspired by examples through the ages! You’ll also get to hear about exciting funding opportunities and arts and humanities programming from Humanities DC.

What is Oral History and Why is it Important?
2025-11-03 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
This introductory workshop will help participants define oral history in relationship to the history of the practice and other forms of interviewing and storytelling. Participants will learn what motivates oral historians to do their work and what might motivate them to initiate projects of their own. Participants will also learn how to discover archival oral history interviews and begin to understand what makes a good interview. Finally, participants will think about how to turn their topical interests into guiding research questions.
Registration Link
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About the Workshop Series
The DC Oral History Collaborative Workshop Series is a set of training sessions aimed at, over time, providing participants with an in-depth understanding of oral history principles and practices. The series consists of several core workshops that provide participants with a more detailed exploration of some of the key topics and themes of the DC Oral History Collaborative 101+ Workshop.
Other core workshops in the series include: Recording Oral History, Planning Oral History Projects, Oral History Interviewing, and Archiving and Presenting Oral History.
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The DC Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) documents, preserves, and celebrates the lived experiences of all Washington, DC residents and communities through oral history. The Collaborative accomplishes this by providing training, mentorship, resources, programs, and funding to current and aspiring oral historians. The Collaborative is a partnership of HumanitiesDC and the DC Public Library

A Bookish Night at the Museum
2025-11-05 17:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Have you ever wanted to spend a cozy fall evening reading in a museum? Grab your book and join fellow bibliophiles for a relaxing and enlightening evening of reading and discovery. Explore our exhibitions, find a quiet nook to read, hear from book lovers (including our staff) about what they?re currently reading, and participate in a book swap.
Registration link

DC[FRAMEWORKS]
2025-11-06 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Eaton Cinema, 1201 K Street NW, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
We’re delighted to invite you to the fall DC[FRAMEWORKS] Works-in-Progress Screening, a community event celebrating documentary storytelling in progress.
DC[FRAMEWORKS] offers directors and producers at all experience levels a rare opportunity to receive thoughtful feedback on their works-in-progress—whether feature-length or short. The screening is followed by a moderated conversation, giving filmmakers the chance to gather insights from an engaged audience, subject-matter experts, and fellow DC-based filmmakers.
If you’d like your film to be considered for the program, please submit your work-in-progress to DC[FRAMEWORKS] via FilmFreeway or send an email to info@dcdoxfest.com.
Registration Event Link

Hip Hop History Month - Mosaic Theater's Young John Lewis Reflection Series
2025-11-07 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Busboys and Poets Anacostia, 2004 Martin Luther King Jr Ave SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
November 7, 2025 | Ward 8 | Busboys and Poets Anacostia
Mosaic partners with Busboys and Poets Anacostia for a night uplifting local spoken word and hip hop artists and highlighting Young John Lewis? hip-hop roots.

The Light Looks Like Me Book Event
2025-11-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | People’s Book, 7014 Westmoreland Ave Suite A, Takoma Park, MD, 20912, United States
Join Shout Mouse Press youth authors plus guest author Ebony LaDelle to discuss The Light Looks Like Me.

Culture Series: Documenting Culture - How to Be a Humanist
2025-11-13 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
What does it take to become a humanist, and what is lost if we fail to preserve DC’s stories?
HumanitiesDC Presents Culture Series: Documenting Culture – How to Be a Humanist, a thoughtful conversation featuring three public historians exploring what it means to be a humanist in the nation’s capital. Featuring Paul Grant, Creative Director of the East of the River documentary series; Shae Corey, host of the Holy Local podcast; and Kristy L., DJ, cultural organizer and creator of the zine Cultural Waves, this event takes you behind the scenes of their creative journeys.
D.C. explores the lives of individuals who bring human stories to the humanities. Our guest speakers will share when and how they embraced the humanities, what that work looks like in practice, and what it means to document, celebrate, and amplify DC stories and culture. From podcasting to documentaries to DJing, each speaker offers a unique perspective, inviting audiences to consider the bold question: What does it mean to be a humanist, and what is lost if we fail to preserve DC’s stories?
Whether you’re a creator, a history enthusiast, or a curious mind, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Registration Event Link

Yes, Chef: Stories About Food & Family Drama
2025-11-13 19:30 - 21:30 (America/Halifax) | Penn Social, 801 E Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20004
Food brings people together but not always how you’d expect. Behind every favorite dish, there’s tension, tradition, chaos, or comfort. Sometimes all of it at once. This show is about what happens when meals go sideways, recipes carry history, and family shows up with opinions. Come for real stories about how food stirs things up, holds us together, or turns dinner into something way bigger than what’s on the plate.
Register here.

DC Oral History Collaborative Community Meetup
2025-11-17 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Halifax) | DC History Center, 801 K St NW, Washington, 20001, United States
Calling all local oral historians: HumanitiesDC and the DC History Center are offering their next oral history meetup in Washington, DC! Join us at the DC History Center on Monday, November 17 at 6 pm to be in community with other oral historians. During the meetup we’ll share ideas, talk through challenges and obstacles, and celebrate successes. You do not have to be a practicing oral historian to participate but come prepared to learn from others and to share your own thoughts, perspectives, and experiences.
Registration Event Link

Reach's 2025 Book Launch Party!
2025-11-20 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | True Reformer Building, 1200 U St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
This annual celebration of the new Teen Publishing Project (TPP) books published by Reach tutors (in Wards 4-8) will be held at the True Reformer Building. The festivities will take place from 6-8pm, featuring hors d’oeuvres, refreshments, and an opportunity to connect with Reach tutors and the Reach community. In 2025, the tutors explored themes of mental health and financial literacy in their works. Join the Reach community as we recognize their accomplishments!

LINK TO REGISTRATION: https://givebutter.com/BookLaunch2025

An Evening with Pati Jinich and Anna Spiegel
2025-11-20 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us for an advance screening of the closing episode of Season 14 of Pati’s Mexican Table, Pati Jinich’s long running part travelogue-part cooking PBS series. We will view the episode For Love and Family, in advance of the episode’s official public release on November 21. Following the screening, Jinich will be in conversation with Axios’s Anna Spiegel to discuss the episode, and amongst other things, her Mexican Jewish Roots and the history of the Mexican Jewish Community. Followed by Q&A with the audience.
Register here.

The Power of Knowing: John Lewis, Poetry & Hip-Hop - Mosaic Theater's Young John Lewis Reflection Series
2025-12-01 08:00 - 2025-12-31 17:00 (America/Halifax) | DC
Ongoing | Wards 5, 7 and 8 | Capitol View Neighborhood Library, Francis A. Gregory Neighborhood Library and Woodridge Neighborhood Library
The Power of Knowing is an interactive workshop that brings together the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis and the expressive energy of hip-hop and spoken word. Led by poet, spoken-word artist, and hip-hop educational leader Tony Keith Jr. in partnership with DC Public Library.
LINK TO EVENT WEBSITE: https://mosaictheater.org/young-john-lewis

Talk of the Hill with Bill Press Featuring Journalists Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
2025-12-09 18:30 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Hill Center DC, 921 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, 20003
Veteran journalist Bill Press sits down for an in-depth conversation with New York Times chief White House correspondent, Peter Baker and The New Yorker staff writer, Susan Glasser, for a candid assessment of President Trump’s first year in office as well as breaking news of the day.
Register here.

Designing Graphics for Education and Outreach
2025-12-10 19:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | DC
A well-thought through design is the best way to communicate ideas. Archaeologists communicate information through graphics, websites, maps, charts, presentation slides, handouts, and more. In this one-hour virtual workshop, participants will learn about the basics of design principles, what to consider when creating accessible graphics for the public, and free resources to save time and funding. Brush Up workshops are organized by Archaeology in the Community and sponsored by the Society of Black Archaeologists. As part of the Brush Up series of workshops, participants will receive expert instruction, resources, a quiz to test understanding, and a certificate of completion.

Register here.

HumanitiesDC Second Annual Winter Soirée
2025-12-11 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | True Reformer Building, 1200 U St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
Last year was so much fun, we decided to do it again. Join us for a Year-End Celebration of our city’s public humanities!

Get ready to immerse yourselves in an unforgettable celebration of bold ideas, big questions, and unique experiences! On December 11, 2025, at 6 PM, join us at the True Reformer Building to honor and applaud the exceptional work of our 2025 Independent Practitioner Fellows. Come together with fellow curious minds to witness the power of human expression and diverse stories of the humanities over the last year.

This soirée is a celebration of DC’s diverse and vibrant stories and the extraordinary humanists who bring them to light. We would be honored to have you join us for this special occasion. Come ready with your boldest questions. We look forward to sharing this memorable evening with you.
Independent Practitioner Fellows / Presenters: Jessica Austin, Delia Beristain Noriega, Claude L. Elliott, Yanci Flores, Rhonda Henderson, Muskanpreet Kaur & Katie Kirkpatrick.
Suggested Donation: We at HumanitiesDC believe that the humanities should be accessible to all. If you are able, help ensure our approach to programming remains sustainable with a suggested donation. Your donation will help offset the operational costs of this program.

Register here.

DC History Center Holiday Gathering
2025-12-12 17:00 - 2025-12-13 19:00 (America/New_York) | DC History Center, 801 K St NW, Washington, 20001, United States
Lift your spirits among friends, family, and neighbors at the DC History Center’s annual holiday gathering—a joyful evening of community building through song and local flavor!
Light bites are provided by local restaurants, inspired by the iconic flavors of DC, and drinks are on us (just remember your ID)! Attendees are invited to join for a community sing, led by acclaimed musician and local educator Ocie S. Banks. Whether you’re a shower singer or already part of a choir, it’s time to sing along! The music will be a mix of holiday favorites and protest songs inspired by the changemakers and spirit of activism in the nation’s capital.
Come share the warmth, rhythm, and history that make DC shine.

Register here.

Voices of Justice - D.C. Under the Constitution: Exhibit & Documentary Premiere
2025-12-15 17:00 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Dunbar High School, 101 N. St. NW, Washington, DC, 20001
Come see the work of a group of Constitutional Law students worked proudly for the whole of term 1 to educate themselves and create for others to see. Youth voices meet the Bill of Rights in D.C. – where local choices collide with federal oversight. See what happens when students turn interviews into public history. See it – student-curated exhibits built from original oral histories. Hear it – Short documentaries connecting the Bill of Rights to D.C. life. Discuss it – Expert panel on Home Rule, federal oversight, and youth voice in policy.
Register here.

Writing and Wellness Workshop
2025-12-30 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC, 20018, United States
Inspired by the Kwanza principle of Nia, meaning purpose: attend a free workshop hosted by Soar in partnership with DCPL, where you will unleash your creativity, awaken the poet within and show yourself some love.
RSVP to kimberly[at]dcsoar.org by 12.28.2025. Space is limited
Learn more.

Public Humanities Roundtable featuring Community Voices
2026-01-08 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC, 20018, United States
Join HumanitiesDC for an overview of all 2026 grant offerings, along with a brief Q&A from Ward 5 grantees Yao Tyus, Saaret Yoseph, and Dr. Alexandra Jones of Archaeology in the Community. HumanitiesDC grants are currently open to help Washingtonians…

Explore and document local culture
Research their history and origins, and build a representative archive
Tell your stories, in your words

Register to attend!

Community Culture & Heritage Grant Workshop
2026-01-12 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | DC
Join for an in-depth look at the Community Culture & Heritage grant application and program requirements.

This online session will provide a detailed look at the Community Culture & Heritage grant requirements, eligibility information, and application questions. Attendees will also get to hear from a current Community Culture & Heritage grantee who will share insights into their project as well as their successful grant application process.
Register to receive the Zoom link!

DC Oral History Collaborative: Oral History 101+ Workshop
2026-01-12 18:00 - 2026-01-15 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
This course will introduce Washingtonians interested in becoming oral historians to the best practices of doing oral history, to empower them with the basic tools for developing their style and approach to preserving DC’s rich past through oral history interviews.
This course follows the full cycle of an oral history interview, from conception to processing. We will discuss practical and theoretical considerations of doing oral history in order to demonstrate the distinctive, interdisciplinary mindset that oral historians take to their work. In this interactive session, the instructor will ask you to do activities and to discuss your experiences along the way.
There is a lot of material to cover, so participants will do some reading and exercises prior to each session.
This workshop consists of three sessions – registrants must commit to participating in all three sessions.
Registration Link
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January 12, 13, 15
6:00pm-8:00pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. – 4th Floor Conference Room Space – 401-C
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The DC Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) documents, preserves, and celebrates the lived experiences of all Washington, DC residents and communities through oral history. The Collaborative accomplishes this by providing training, mentorship, resources, programs, and funding to current and aspiring oral historians.

HumanitiesDC Community Grants Info Session
2026-01-13 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Dorothy I. Height/Benning Neighborhood Library, 3935 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC, 20019, United States
Join HumanitiesDC for an overview of our 2026 community grants during an in-person session at the Dorothy Height/Benning Neighborhood library. Grants are available to help DC residents, community groups, and organizations…

Explore and document local culture
Research their history and origins, and build a representative archive
Tell your stories, in your words

Register to attend

Oral History Interviewing Grant Workshop
2026-01-14 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | DC
Join for an in-depth look at the Oral History Interviewing grant application and program requirements

This session will provide a detailed look at the Oral History Interviewing grant requirements, eligibility information, and application questions. Attendees will also get to hear from a current Oral History Interviewing grantee who will share insights into their project, the training they received from the DC Oral History Collaborative, as well as their successful grant application process.

Register to receive the Zoom link!

Story District Presents: New Year, Who Dis?
2026-01-15 19:30 - 21:30 (America/New_York) | Penn Social, 801 E Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20004
New Year, Who Dis? Some stories start with a plan. Others start with a breakup, a burnout, or a late-night idea that won’t shut up. This show is about the moments that push us to change –– to leave, to leap, or to try something new even if it scares the hell out of us. You’ll hear from people who made big moves, took weird detours, and ended up somewhere totally unexpected. Why Come? Real stories about what it takes to change even when it’s messy. A crowd that gets how hard (and hilarious) fresh starts can be. A night that?ll leave you thinking about what?s next. The night doesn’t end when the curtain falls. All audience members, storytellers, and friends are invited to stick around for the Storytellers Lounge: a relaxed, post-show gathering where the stories keep flowing.

Register here.

Remembering John Lewis: Good Trouble and the Black-Jewish Civil Rights Alliance - Mosaic Theater's Young John Lewis Reflection Series
2026-01-16 - 2026-01-17 | Mozelle & Donald Saltz Building, 2850 Quebec St. NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
January 16-18 | Ward 3 | Adas Israel Congregation
Mosaic partners with Adas Israel Congregation and its church and gospel partners for the yearly Martin Luther King weekend days of inspiration. From shabbat to the Sunday community day of service, Mosaic and Adas will share stories, challenges and musical inspirations from Lewis’ exemplary life of social action and building the beloved community.

Visions - Projects + Events Grant Workshop
2026-01-16 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | DC
Join for an in-depth look at the Visions – Projects & Events grant application and program requirements. This online session will provide a detailed look at the Visions grant requirements, eligibility information, and application questions. Attendees will also get to hear from a current Visions grantee who will share insights into their project as well as their successful grant application process.

Register to receive the Zoom link!

Not Just Another Day Off Poetry Reading - Mosaic Theater's Young John Lewis Reflection Series
2026-01-17 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Halifax) | Folger Theatre, 201 East Capitol St SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
January 17, 206 | Ward 6 | Folger Theatre
Each year, the Folger celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with inspiring poetry readings and rousing historical speeches delivered by contemporary poets and actors. Mosaic will amplify their work and the significant relationship between Dr. King and Congressman Lewis, which is featured heavily in the musical.
Learn more here.

HumanitiesDC Community Grants General Info Session
2026-01-20 17:30 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | DC
Join this virtual overview session to learn about all of HumanitiesDC’s 2026 grant offerings.
HumanitiesDC’s 2026 community grants cycle opens December 8, 2025 with three grant opportunities, including:

Community Culture & Heritage grant – $10,000 for DC-based individuals and non-profit organizations to create public humanities projects
Visions grant – $25,000 for DC-based non-profit organizations to produce public humanities projects
Oral History Interviewing grant – up to $13,000 for DC-based individuals and non-profit organizations to collect, document, and archive local oral history interviews

Register to receive the Zoom link!

Pride Poetry Workshop: "Weird Way to Protest...but, Yes!"
2026-01-20 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Arts Club of Washington, 2017 I St. NW, Washington DC, MD, 20006, United States
2026 PRIDE POETRY WORKSHOPS AT THE ARTS CLUB

The Arts Club of Washington announces a slate of free community writing workshops for 2026, led by five Pride Poets-in-Residence. Workshops are designed to be generative, so participants will leave each session with a new poem-in-progress, and are open to writers of all levels of experience and backgrounds.

Pride Poetry Workshop: “Weird Way to Protest…but, Yes!”
Using popular protest signs and memes as prompts, participants create short poems in three veins: love, abstract, and erotica. This approach highlights the accessibility of inspiration, examines protest poems from new and imaginative angles, and boldly stands in queerness in a world that wants to pretend us away. Led by Angelique Palmer.
Angelique Palmer is a performance poet, kindergarten teacher, and spoken word instructor at Wilkes University, author of two books of poems, who is in her second year of a three-year tenure as Fairfax County Poet Laureate.
Register here.
