Culture Series: James Baldwin at 100: Celebrating the Enduring Witness
2025-01-09 19:00 - 20:30 (America/Halifax) | Busboys and Poets 450 K St NW, 450 K St NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Event Details:
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.
ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Registration Event link
For More Information
Contact: Jimmy Watkins
Website: humanitiesdc.org
Email: jwatkins@humanitiesdc.org
Phone: 202.770.3077 Ext. 806

Yvonne Clark and her Engineering Spark: A Book Launch Event
2025-01-11 14:00 - 16:00 | Sankofa, 2714 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
On Saturday, January 11th Mt. Pleasant resident and illustrator DeAndra Hodge along with author Allen R. Wells will be at Sankofa Books on Georgia Ave to launch their newest children’s book “Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark,”an inspiring biography about a curious, tinkering girl who grew up to become one of the first Black female engineers for NASA ? for fans of Ada Twist, Scientist and Counting on Katherine. Yvonne Clark was the first woman to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Howard University, just across the street from Sankofa. FREE copies of the book will be available on a first come, first serve basis courtesy of the Friends of the Mt. Pleasant Library. Additionally, local DC educator Chitra Subramanian will be offering hands-on educational programming about Yvonne Clark for children ages 7 and up at the event through her “Great Persons” curriculum.
Registration Event Link

Community Grants Virtual Application Workshops
2025-01-13 12:00 - 2025-01-16 13:30 | DC
HumanitiesDC Community Grants Application Workshops
HumanitiesDC offers 4 virtual workshops for applicants that offer an in-depth look at each grant program’s funding scope, eligibility requirements, application questions, and review criteria. Attendees are highly encouraged to come having started an application and reviewed the grant requirements. These sessions will be recorded and later uploaded to our grants playlist.
Event Details
Host: HumanitiesDC
Dates:
Community Culture & Heritage workshop: Monday, January 13, 2025 • 12 to 1:30 PM – Register
Visions – Projects + Events Grant workshop: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 • 12 to 1:30 PM – Register
Oral History Interviewing Grant: Wednesday, January 15, 2025 • 12 to 1:30 PM – Register
Beyond the Archives Grant: Thursday, January 16, 2025 • 12 to 1:30 PM – Register

Location: virtual
Event fee: Free
For More Information
Contact: Leah Gage
Website: HumanitiesDC.org
Email: grants@humanitiesdc.org
Phone: 202-770-3077 x 815

Community Grants Info Session at Woodridge Neighborhood Library
2025-01-13 18:00 - 19:30 | Woodridge Neighborhood Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC, 20018, United States
HumanitiesDC Community Grants Info Session at Woodridge Neighborhood Library
Join HumanitiesDC to learn about how Ward 5 residents can engage with HumanitiesDC through our community grant opportunities, as well as available fellowships, grant reviewer opportunities, and more. Light refreshments will be available. This event is family and child friendly. This event was made possible in partnership with ANC Commissioner Ra Amin, the Brookland Neighborhood Civic Association, and the Greater Brookland Intergenerational Village.
Event Details
Host: HumanitiesDC
Dates: Monday, January 13, 2025 • 6:00 to 7:30PM
Location: Woodridge Neighborhood Library • 1801 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC 20018
Event fee: Free
Registration Event Link
For More Information
Contact: Leah Gage
Website: HumanitiesDC.org
Email: grants@humanitiesdc.org
Phone: 202-770-3077 x 815

DC Oral History Collaborative: Oral History 101+ Workshop
2025-01-13 18:00 - 2025-01-16 20:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
This course, led by Anna F. Kaplan, PhD., 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 is structured to follow 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. Because oral history is best learned “on the job,” 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 also be asked to 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 13, 14, 16
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.

Community Grants Info Session at MLK Library
2025-01-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
HumanitiesDC Community Grants Info Session at MLK Library
Join HumanitiesDC to learn about how DC residents can engage with HumanitiesDC through our community grant opportunities, as well as available fellowships, grant reviewer opportunities, and more. Light refreshments will be available. This event is family and child friendly.
Event Details
Host: HumanitiesDC
Dates: Monday, January 15, 2025 • 6:00 to 7:30PM
Location: MLK Library • 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, Room 401-A
Event fee: Free
Registration Event Link
For More Information
Contact: Leah Gage
Website: HumanitiesDC.org
Email: grants@humanitiesdc.org
Phone: 202-770-3077 x 815

What is Oral History and Why is it Important?
2025-02-10 18:00 - 20:00 | 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.
This workshop session will be led by DC Oral History Collaborative co-founder and trainer Dr. Anna F. Kaplan.
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

StoryDistrict: Sucker for Love
2025-02-14 20:00 - 22:00 | Lincoln Theatre, 1215 U street nw, Washington, 20009, United States
This year’s show happens on Friday, February 14, 2025, and features funny and captivating true stories about love, dating, and relationships?perfect for singles, couples, or anyone who’s loved, lost, or laughed through it all.. We?d love for you to share the event in your event calendar or website. Here?s the show’s info: Event Name: Sucker for Love Date: Friday, February 14, 2025 Time: Doors open at 6:30 PM | Show starts at 8:00 PM Tickets: $39.50 plus fees (Link to tickets) Short Description: Celebrate Valentine?s Day with DC?s favorite storytelling show! Sucker for Love features funny and captivating true stories about love, dating, and relationships. We?ve also included a few images that you?re welcome to share. Let me know if you?d like any additional details or assets to help spread the word. Thank you for helping us promote storytelling in our community!
Registration Event Link

Culture Series: '91 We in a Dope Jam
2025-02-27 18:00 - 20:30 | Go-Go Museum and Cafe, 1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE, Washington, 20020, United States
Event Details:
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—shaping streetwear, establishing legendary performance venues, and inspiring a loyal community.
While the go-gos cranked, city officials struggled to battle a public health crisis that would record over 500 homicides by the end of the year. And when incidents of violence occurred at music venues, officials raised 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? Our panel of musicians, artists, and fans will complicate this question in a discussion facilitated by oral historians and DC natives Rhonda Henderson and Myron Long (The Dap Project).
Don’t miss this exploration of a deep love for go-go culture and its complex ties to the city’s joy, pain, and resilience, hosted by HumanitiesDCs’ Culture Series.
A private viewing of the Go-Go Museum will take place at 6 pm (1920 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE), followed by a panel discussion at Busboys and Poets Anacostia at 7 pm (2004 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE)!
ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Registration Event link
For More Information
Contact: Jimmy Watkins
Website: humanitiesdc.org
Email: jwatkins@humanitiesdc.org
Phone: 202.770.3077 Ext. 806

Salon Nights: Art Workshop with HumanitiesDC Fellow Jessica Valoris
2025-03-19 18:00 - 20:00 | Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Create mixed media mezuzot during the Inside Outside In-Between workshop, led by Jessica Valoris. Inspired by Jessica’s emergent project, AfroJudaica, the workshop will explore themes of home, diaspora, return, and liberation through storytelling, text study, and art-making. No previous art experience is required. Event chaired by Yolanda Savage-Narva. Part of the Museum’s new Jews of Color Creative Workshops Series.
Registration Event Link

Culture Series: Bank on Her
2025-03-20 19:00 - 20:30 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Event Details:
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.
ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Registration Event link
For More Information
Contact: Jimmy Watkins
Website: humanitiesdc.org
Email: jwatkins@humanitiesdc.org
Phone: 202.770.3077 Ext. 806

Planning Oral History Projects
2025-03-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Running an oral history project is a lot of work! But the skills and best practices in this core workshop in the DC Oral History Collaborative’s Training Series will help participants understand how to avoid getting bogged down in budgetary or scheduling challenges.
This session covers topics such as developing an organizing research question and overcoming common pitfalls and obstacles. Anxious about approaching potential interviewees, join us at this session for some practice!
This session will be led by oral historians Kristy Li Puma and Darby Hickey.
Registration Link
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.
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

Community Showcase
2025-04-10 18:00 - 20:30 | DC
Join us on April 10, 2025, at 6 pm at the Anacostia Arts Center for a celebration of bold ideas, even bolder questions, and some powerful stories to go with them. Together, we’ll honor the outstanding work of our 2024 Community, Culture & Heritage grantees. Engage with fellow curious minds as we share the diverse stories and transformative impact of the humanities over the past year.
ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Please note: RSVPs are not required for entry, and entry is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. We appreciate your donations, but please note that if the event reaches capacity, donations will not be refundable.
For reasonable accommodation requests regarding access and inclusion, please contact Jimmy Watkins (jwatkins@humanitiesdc.org) no later than five business days before the start of this event.
Registration Event Link

DC[FRAMEWORKS]
2025-04-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Eaton DC, 1201 K St. NW, Washington, DC, 20005, United States
DC[FRAMEWORKS] provides directors and producers at all experience levels with a unique opportunity to receive constructive, peer-level feedback on their rough-cut films—whether feature-length or short. Each screening is followed by a moderated discussion, where filmmakers gain valuable insights from an engaged audience, subject-matter experts, and experienced DC-based filmmakers.
Join us at Eaton Cinema for an in-progress screening of Max Rykov and An-Phuong Ly’s documentary shorts.
Directed by Max Rykov: After fleeing Russian aggression for the second time in her life, the 17-year-old Crimea-born pianist Khrystyna Mykhailichenko prepares to play for international audiences across Europe. This is her on the cultural front.
Directed by An-Phuong Ly: The last remaining South Vietnamese naval officers reunite in a California suburb for the final time. Finding solace in the shared experience of their youth, they reconnect with the few people in the world who understand the complexities that shape them.
DC[FRAMEWORKS] is a year-round screening series showcasing work-in-progress projects by DC-based filmmakers, as part of the DC/FRAME program presented in partnership with DC/DOX and HumanitiesDC.
Registration Event Link

Culture Series: The War on Drugs in DC
2025-04-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Busboys and Poets, 2021 14th St NW, Washington, DC, DC, 20009, United States
What does it mean for DC residents to say, “the drug war is over”?
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.
Today, the reverberations of the drug war are still felt by generations of Washingtonians who saw sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, and friends locked away for drug offenses. The cycles of incarceration unraveled the fabric that binds families together and changed the life trajectory of those who found themselves in the crosshairs of the law.
In 2024, we see a new era of progressive drug policies and restorative justice that includes cannabis legalization. As advocates grapple with new industry and legislation, many are left wondering what it means to end the “war on drugs.” From ending incarceration and creating paths for re-entry to opportunities in new industries and the chance to build wealth, what does it mean for DC residents to say, “the drug war is over”?
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Caroline Phillips, Founder and Executive Producer of the National Cannabis Festival, for an engaging and thought-provoking discussion on this bold question in the upcoming Culture Series.
ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Registration Event Link

The State of Journalism in DC: 2025 Community Journalism Program Closing Ceremony
2025-05-19 18:30 - 20:30 | True Reformer Building, 1200 U St. NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
Join us for an engaging panel discussion on the shifting landscape of journalism in DC. Our panelists will explore the current state of journalism nationally and in DC and the field’s sustainability. The panelists are Amy L. Kovac-Ashley, the Executive Director of Tiny News Collective; Mitch Ryals, the Managing Editor of Washington City Paper; and Denise Rolark-Barnes, the Publisher of the Washington Informer. Olive Vassell, a Journalist and Associate Professor of Digital Media at the University of the District of Columbia, will moderate the discussion.
This closing event will also celebrate our Community Journalists who have recently completed HumanitiesDC’s 14-week journalism program. Led by a team of professional local journalists, this free program is designed to equip DC residents with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship to tell the stories that matter most to them and their communities. To learn more about HumanitiesDC’s Community Journalism Program, visit our website.
Please note: RSVPs are strongly encouraged for entry, and entry is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. If the event reaches capacity, donations will not be refunded.
For reasonable accommodation requests regarding access and inclusion, please contact Ashley Gunter (agunter@humanitiesdc.org) no later than seven business days before the start of this event. Please be specific about the accommodation you are requesting.
Registration Event Link

Culture Series: Sex Work in Civil War Washington and Beyond
2025-05-22 18:00 - 20:30 | Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office, 437 7th Street NW, Washington, 20004, United States
Washington, DC saw an unprecedented rise in sex work during the Civil War due to the thousands of Union soldiers who flooded into the city for training. Brothels provided income, shelter, and independence for women who, in some cases, had few other places to turn. They built businesses and turned access to politicians into influence.
The DC neighborhood known as Federal Triangle used to be in DC’s early days, a notorious slum known as Murder Bay and later as Hooker’s Division during the Civil War. The latter name evolved from the usage of that neighborhood as one of the city’s most concentrated red-light districts. The sex work industry exploded during the war due to the heavy presence of soldiers throughout wartime.
But why do we demonize sex workers? Why do we continue to stigmatize sex work?
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Katie Kirkpatrick in this Culture Series, which will explore Murder Bay/Hooker’s Division during and after the Civil War. The event will bring together visual representations, experts on Civil War Washington, sex-work historians, and members of today’s sex-work community to discuss how the oldest profession was practiced when it was legal, compared to today’s ongoing struggle to recognize sex work as real work.
The event will begin with a walking tour starting at The Willard Center, 1455 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20004. Please dress comfortably.
ASL Interpretation will be provided.
Registration Event Link

Ribbon Cutting for Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington
2025-05-24 11:00 - 14:00 | Freedom Plaza, 1325 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20004, United States
Registration Link

Rainbow History Project invites you to a special celebration marking the official opening of our “Pickets, Protests, and Parades: The History of Gay Pride in Washington” exhibit at Freedom Plaza. This free outdor exhibit chronicles the local LGBTQ Pride movement and how the pickets and protests of the 1960s led to the vibrant celebrations of the 2020s.
Join us at 11:00 AM for a ribbon cutting ceremony recognizing the Community Pioneers—local leaders, organizers, and everyday heroes who advanced LGBTQ+ visibility and justice in DC. The brief program will feature remarks from project leaders, community members, and local dignitaries, followed by photo opportunities and the ceremonial ribbon cutting.
At 12:00 PM, our exhibit researchers will lead guided tours of the display, offering historical context, behind-the-scenes insights, and personal stories that bring the exhibit panels to life. Located in the heart of downtown, Freedom Plaza provides a fitting space to reflect on Pride’s evolving presence in public life and to honor those who have made it possible.
This event is free and open to all. Donations are welcome! This exhibition has been funded thus far by community organizations and individuals, opposed to traditional funding for Pride initiatives seeking funds from corporations.
Whether you’re a longtime resident, a curious visitor, or a dedicated history enthusiast, we welcome you to be part of this special moment and experience the History of Pride from a uniquely local perspective.
Celebrate our past. Empower our future. Join us at Freedom Plaza!
About the Exhibit:
The exhibition disrupts the popularly held belief that the LGBTQ+ Rights Movement began with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 New York. While this pushback to police violence was vital, DC’s LGBTQ+ history of resistance actually predates the Stonewall Riots. RHP recognizes this picket, four years before the Stonewall Riots, where 10 members of the Mattachine Society of Washington marched with signs in front of the White House–as the start of DC’s rich queer history.
From 1965 to the present day, the exhibition divides DC’s LGBTQ+ into ten eras that are explored in a visual timeline wall along Pennsylvania Avenue. Alongside the timeline wall are ten large cubes with archival photos of pickets, protests, and parades, as well as portraits of Community Pioneers who championed each era called the Hero Cubes. The exhibits will premiere on Monday, May 19th, officially opening the exhibition to the over 3 million people expected to travel to DC for WorldPride.

Out/Spoken: A 15th Anniversary World Pride Celebration
2025-05-24 19:00 - 22:00 | Howard Theatre, 620 T Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Washington, DC hosts World Pride in 2025! We are excited to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Story District’s Out/Spoken during this historic occasion. For 15 years, Story District has been bringing LGBTQ+ stories to the stage: real, personal, and unforgettable. This year, as World Pride 2025 comes to DC, we’re making it even bigger. Produced by Story District and hosted by comedian and storyteller Anthony Oakes, eight storytellers will share moments that shaped them, like falling in love and facing their fears. Some stories will make you laugh, others will make you think, but every one of them will highlight the power of a well-told story. Whether you’ve been part of Out/Spoken from the start or you’re coming for the first time, this is a night to celebrate, reflect, and be in community. Join us at Howard Theatre on May 24 for an evening of stories that bring us together. Tickets: https://www.storydistrict.org/tickets

Audio Techniques for Oral History Projects
2025-06-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
This core workshop in the DC Oral History Collaborative Training Series will take an in-depth look at some of the techniques that oral historians use to get quality audio from their recording equipment. While the workshop will focus on the Zoom H4n audio recorder, many of the skills and practices introduced can be used for recording with any technologies. In this workshop, attendees will:
• Learn how to optimize settings on their audio recorders to get the best audio.
• Understand how audio is encoded as a digital file and how that applies to: filetypes, bit rates, and frequencies.
• Understand some of the most common causes of poor audio quality and how to set up their interview space to avoid them.
This workshop will be held in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library in room 401-C. The nearest metro stations are Chinatown Gallery Place on the Red, Green, and Yellow Lines and Metro Center on the Red, Blue, Orange and Silver Lines.
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
Registration Link
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.
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

AC Panel: Identity and Belonging in Literature
2025-06-07 18:00 - 19:30 | Politics and Prose at Union Market, 1324 4th St NE, Washington, 20002, United States
Seeking and achieving both a sense of self as an individual and a sense of belonging among others are two sides of the same coin. Our understanding and perception of these elements can have a profound effect on our lives, on our cultures, and on society as a whole. Writers often grapple with the nuances of the human condition, and indeed many of its mysteries can unfold in stories that explore identity and belonging. Tope Folarin engages with local authors Patricia Coral, Majda Gama, and Varun Gauri to discuss the challenges and triumphs of self-identification.
Registration Link

Beyond LGBTQ+: An Introduction to Queer Archaeology
2025-06-11 19:00 - 20:00 | DC
Queer archaeology has its roots in the quest for and identification of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people in the past. Incorporating queer theoretical advances and approaches from other disciplines, queer archaeology has expanded in scope and now serves as a powerful tool to help understand the past.
In this one-hour virtual workshop, we will use a place-based approach to tracing the development of queer archaeology and how archaeologists are now using it to develop more nuanced interpretations. Brush Up Workshops are organized by Archaeology in the Community and sponsored by the Society of Black Archaeologists. Participants receive expert instruction, resources, a quiz to test understanding, and a certificate of completion.
Registration Link

DC/DOX 3rd Annual Documentary Film Festival
2025-06-12 - 2025-06-15 | DC
The DC/DOX 3rd Annual Documentary Film Festival, sponsored in part by HumanitiesDC, is once again celebrating bold voices, innovative visions, and dedicated truth-seekers in the art of non-fiction storytelling.
Make sure to check out the DC[Frame]programming to find films made by documentary filmmakers from the DC area. These films highlight stories that reflect the unique voices and perspectives of creators rooted in DC.
See event the website for ticking details and venue locations.
Reserve your tickets now.

The Inner Loop June Reading
2025-06-17 18:00 - 22:00 | Shaw’s Tavern, 520 Florida Avenue Northwest, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
Join us for our June Reading featuring Kat Chow reading alongside nine local writers of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry downstairs at Shaw’s Tavern. The event is free and open to the public and wonderful opportunity to meet and get to know the local writing community!
Registration Link

Pride Month Screening and Zine Swap with DC Zinefest and XFR Collective
2025-06-21 17:00 - 21:00 | Fantom Comics, 2010 P St NW, Washington, 20036, United States
See historic films and tapes of LGBT+ protests, pride, and video art from XFR Collective and swap zines with DC Zinefest! Free and open to the public! About the Films: Radical tape transfer collective XFR brings recently digitized jewels transferred from original materials provided by Leslie-Lohman Museum members which offer a rare glimpse into the bygone world of queer home video culture. From consciousness-raising protests to community-made PSAs and drag queen beauty contests, the films included in this program represent the equally radical and joyous past of LGBTQI filmmaking. Thanks to the technical whizzes at XFR, we can continue to exhibit these incredible films well into the future.

Family Day: Full of Pride
2025-06-22 09:30 - 13:00 | Capital Jewish Museum, 575 3rd Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
A Pride party for all ages! Dance to live music courtesy of the Hill Havurah ensemble at 10:15 am, listen to the fabulous Jewish Drag Story Time at 12pm, and explore LGBTJews in the Federal City with our Family Guide or kid’s scavenger hunt. Plus, drop in crafts and activities all day ? design a Pride float, play games on the Museum terrace, create a colorful collage out of the Museum?s collections, and write a supportive letter to queer and trans folks for Point of Pride, and more. Please note: Tickets for both adults and children are $5, but no family need pay more than $20. Please read follow instructions at the point of purchase to ensure you are not overcharged. Ticket includes complimentary access to our special exhibition, LGBTJews in the Federal City.
Registration Link

Oral History 101: A workshop for the new and novice oral historian
2025-06-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Anacostia Arts Center, 1231 Marion Barry Ave SE, Washington, DC, MD, 20020, United States
Your family story: a gift to future generations. Your community?s traditions: your legacy. Your organization?s impact: its foundation. Attend this oral history workshop to learn beginning practices of oral history to help you capture the stories that matter the most. We’ll discuss: The difference between oral history and an interview How to plan for an oral history interview How to lead and participate in the actual oral history Ways to share the recorded stories with others Dr. Amaka Okechukwu will facilitate this session. Dr. Okechukwu is an interdisciplinary scholar who studies social movements, race, urban studies, and Black archives.
Register Here

Culture Series: Vital Signs - DC and the Poetry of AIDS
2025-06-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
How did DC nurture—and challenge—the artists and writers who lived through the AIDS crisis? And what can DC residents learn from their legacy to help ignite our resistance to the challenges of our own time?
Join HumanitiesDC and guest curators Kim Roberts and Regie Cabico for Culture Series: Vital Signs: DC and the Poetry of AIDS, a powerful exploration of three groundbreaking poets: Essex Hemphill, Tim Dlugos, and Reinaldo Arenas—each of whom shaped the city’s literary landscape before their lives were cut short by AIDS. This evening of remembrance features a panel discussion with those who knew them best or were deeply influenced by their work. Also featured will be short readings of poems by other DC-based writers lost to AIDS, including Garth Tate, Mary Bowman, Chasen Gaver, and Jim Everhard—bringing more of these powerful voices back into the room. As we face new challenges in public health, social justice, and cultural memory, this event asks the bold question: what can DC residents learn from their legacy to help ignite our resistance to the challenges of our own time?
A handout of selected poems will be available to all attendees.
Registration Event Link

DC Day of Archaeology Festival
2025-06-28 10:00 - 15:00 | Tudor Place, 1644 31st St. NW, Washington, 20007, United States
The annual DC Day of Archaeology Festival gathers archaeology organizations in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia together in one location to inform our community about local archaeology resources. The event is organized by Archaeology in the Community and held in June as part of DC Archaeology Month. Find hands-on activities for all ages!
Registration Link

Oral History Interviewing Workshop
2025-06-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library 401c, Conference Center, 901 G Street NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
This core workshop in the DC Oral History Collaborative workshop series will provide participants strategies to make the interview experience rewarding for the interviewer and the narrator. The workshop will begin by further exploring what comes before the interview – connecting research and planning with building trust and rapport with narrators. Participants will then discuss a wide variety of potential challenging situations that may arise in an oral history interview and will co-create a list of strategies for working through those situations. Finally, participants will have the opportunity to practice their skills by interviewing another member of their cohort.
This workshop will be led by oral historian José Centeno-Melendez, PhD.
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
Registration Link
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.
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
