Humanities DC

09/18/2023

REGISTER NOW! Happening this Thursday, starting with the Joan of Arc walking tour in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park at 6:30PM!
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/culture-series-discovering-medieval-dc-tickets-703488833037?aff=oddtdtcreator

Register today for the first Culture Series in the fall HumanitiesDC lineup! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/703488833037?aff=oddtdtcreator

6:30PM - Walking tour in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park starting at the Joan of Arc Statue

7:00PM - Event begins at Busboys and Poets

The Middle Ages may seem far distant in time and space, and far removed from contemporary concerns for those of us who live in twenty-first century DC. Yet, the medieval surrounds us, in objects held in DC-area collections, modern ideas, local architecture, and in the motifs that continue to shape our world today. Join HumanitiesDC and the Medieval DC team to discover the hidden world in our city. From a walking tour in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park, which features a statue of the French heroine Joan of Arc, to medieval trivia, the night will transport participants to a world of long ago.

09/11/2023

Register today for the first Culture Series in the fall HumanitiesDC lineup! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/703488833037?aff=oddtdtcreator

6:30PM - Walking tour in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park starting at the Joan of Arc Statue

7:00PM - Event begins at Busboys and Poets

The Middle Ages may seem far distant in time and space, and far removed from contemporary concerns for those of us who live in twenty-first century DC. Yet, the medieval surrounds us, in objects held in DC-area collections, modern ideas, local architecture, and in the motifs that continue to shape our world today. Join HumanitiesDC and the Medieval DC team to discover the hidden world in our city. From a walking tour in Malcolm X/Meridian Hill Park, which features a statue of the French heroine Joan of Arc, to medieval trivia, the night will transport participants to a world of long ago.

08/22/2023

Link: https://OHWorkshopFall2023.eventbrite.com Register today to explore the best practices of oral historians and become empowered with the basic tools for developing your style and approach to preserving DC’s rich past. Led by oral historian Benji de la Piedra, this course will follow the full cycle of an oral history interview, from conception to processing. We will discuss practical, ethical, and theoretical considerations in order to demonstrate the distinctive, interdisciplinary mindset that oral historians take to their work. Since oral history is best learned “on the job,” the instructor will ask you to do activities and to discuss your experiences along the way.

This workshop consists of three sessions – registrants must commit to participating in all three sessions.

08/16/2023

Have you ever wanted to share aspects of your community that are not always seen in the mainstream media? Or amplify the untold stories and issues around you? HumanitiesDC’s new Community Journalism program is an opportunity to work side-by-side with professional journalists to learn how to report on the stories that shape our city. This free 12-week course includes 6 workshops covering basic journalism skills and best practices, including how to conduct interviews, find credible sources and write engaging articles. Additionally, participants will work with local journalists to report on a story and ultimately publish a piece by the conclusion of the program.

Link to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvrlxMB_vDS9iS5ndNR0emnn5VFNPL_PKDtf22BezQSAvUEA/viewform
Please reach out to our Community Journalism Program Coordinator at [email protected] with any questions.

07/26/2023

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/661377667407

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop, join HumanitiesDC with guest curator Dior Ashley Brown to shine a spotlight on the immeasurable contributions of women in the vibrant DMV Hip Hop scene. With a stellar panel, including Paige Hernandez, Steph Lova, Nonchalant, RAtheMC, and DJ Soyo, we will delve into their journeys, challenges, and triumphs.

Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/661377667407

07/17/2023

TOMORROW! Register now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/640820821327

Advanced Topics Workshop! Facilitated by local oral historian and DC Oral History Collaborative trainer, Dr. Anna F. Kaplan, “How Do I Ask This?” will help participants strengthen their interviewing skills by analyzing examples and collaboratively workshopping interview questions.
• Explore what makes for a good oral history question.
• Work through anxieties and hesitations about asking certain kinds of questions.
• Brainstorm strategies for navigating difficult interview scenarios.
• Develop a stronger list of oral history questions that help prompt the kinds of stories and reflections interviewers look for.

07/05/2023

Mark your calendars for the Porchtales Podcast Season 2 Launch Party with Katie Davis. On July 13, come out and hear the fascinating stories of Lanier Place, an enchanting road in the heart of Adams Morgan.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/640596369987

06/27/2023

Porchtales Podcast, Season 2, With former NPR producer Katie Davis. Coming July 2023. Lanier: One street’s history told through the eyes of one of its longest residents.

06/26/2023

Advanced Topics Workshop! 🚨 Facilitated by local oral historian and DC Oral History Collaborative trainer, Dr. Anna F. Kaplan, “How Do I Ask This?” will help participants strengthen their interviewing skills by analyzing examples and collaboratively workshopping interview questions.

• Explore what makes for a good oral history question.
• Work through anxieties and hesitations about asking certain kinds of questions.
• Brainstorm strategies for navigating difficult interview scenarios.
• Develop a stronger list of oral history questions that help prompt the kinds of stories and reflections interviewers look for.

To register, visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/oral-history-advanced-topics-how-do-i-ask-this-tickets-640820821327?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

06/21/2023

We are proud to announce that we’ve been selected as a trusted and critical small nonprofit in the Greater Washington region! Congratulations to our peer nonprofits, who we’re excited to meet and partner with alongside Spur Local, formerly the Catalogue for Philanthropy.

06/09/2023

Join us JUN 18, 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM at Eaton Cinema for our last DC/FRAME program, I Did It My Way. These films unveil the remarkable stories of individuals who defy societal norms and redefine the boundaries of what is possible. Delve into the lives of fearless trailblazers who forge their own paths, from a female gangster who reigns over a lucrative gambling ring in 1950s DC, to a one-wheel riding wonder who defies expectations. Witness the inspiring journey of one of NASCAR’s youngest drivers and immerse yourself in the vanishing world of Black Washington through the captivating lens of photographer Steven Cummings.

Films: A Chocolate Lens; Odessa’s Reign; One Wheel Bandit; Outside Line

06/08/2023

Calling all basketball fans! Over the course of many years, DC basketball legend Pennington Greene has dedicated himself to interviewing over 100 people who have contributed to our city’s basketball history.

Come hear these voices from the courts, get a sneak peek at a trailer of an upcoming documentary and join in on the conversation.

Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/596139728977

06/07/2023

Join us JUN 17, 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM at Eaton Cinema for Rhythms of Resilience. These films shine a spotlight on the vibrant artistic spaces and visionary creators who have profoundly shaped Washington, DC’s cultural landscape, transcending time and inspiring generations to come. This program introduces a master bass player who remains a stable fixture of his neighborhood; the transformative influence on a generation of musicians by a groundbreaking record label; and the resounding impact of a coffeehouse that continues to resonate deeply with LGBTQ+ artists of color across borders and through the ages.

Films: Black Fire: Radio, Rhythms, and Revolution; Fiercesness Served! The ENIKAlley Coffeeshouse; Spanish Joe Remembers

06/05/2023

We’re excited to announce the first event in our summer Culture Series line-up with guest curator Dr. Natalie Hopkinson. Join us for music, oral histories, and good conversation as a panel of photographers, curators and scholars explore the visual side of go-go. Link in bio.

Curated by Dr. Natalie Hopkinson, author of Go-Go Live and creator of Pieces of Me: Go-Go Club Photography Archival Initiative. Panelists include:

Dr. Symone Cambell (), Maleke Glee (), Thomas Sayers Ellis, Latoya Peterson ()

Come have an unforgettable night and get your memories captured by the renowned Mr. G aka The Godfather of Club Photography.

HAVE A CLUB PHOTO TO SHARE? WE WANT TO SEE IT!

Throughout the month of June, HumanitiesDC will also seek to collect club photos from the public, both to show at the event and to contribute to the growing Go-Go Archive at the DC Public Library.

To submit, go to https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdNuErNH9S8Qn7DcyCYOo4hjfpwCSttd7qtKL2I8ZytwKEyuw/viewform!

06/01/2023

Congratulations to our 9 fellows who were selected for the inaugural year of the HumanitiesDC 2023 Independent Practitioner Fellowship. We are excited to celebrate you and all of the humanities work you will be doing throughout the city in the coming months!

Enrique “Quique” Aviles
Shae Corey
Mēlani Douglass
Tasha Klusmann
Allison Press & Xena Ni
Kim Roberts
Nancy Shia
Jessica Valoris

06/01/2023

Join us JUN 16 - JUN 18 at the Eaton Cinema to experience three captivating programs in partnership with . DC/FRAME will include 10 amazing short documentaries that speak to our city’s culture, creations, and community.

Lost & Found, the first of the three programs, taking place JUN 16, 5:30 PM - 7:15 PM, explores the profound impact of losing one’s home – be it a physical, an emotional, or an ancestral home – and the journey to find one’s way back.

Films: Bring Them Home; Finding Us; Park Regent

05/26/2023

🎥 DC/FRAME Update!✨ In collaboration with , we bring you a curated collection of extraordinary documentaries from the Washington metropolitan area. Prepare to be immersed in the essence of Washington, DC, as these films beautifully capture the heart and soul of our vibrant city: its people, places, arts, culture, politics, and policy. 🎟 Free with reservation, go to link in bio!!

Join us at the Eaton Cinema to experience three captivating programs, including 10 short documentaries:

*A CHOCOLATE LENS, , dir. Gabriel Veras
*BLACK FIRE: RADIO, RHYTHMS, AND REVOLUTION, dirs. Kia Freeman, Patrick Mamou
*BRING THEM HOME, dirs. Ray Whitehouse, Kate Woodsome
*FINDING US, dir. Kathryn Carlson
*FIERCENESS SERVED! THE ENIKALLEY COFFEEHOUSE, dir. Michelle Parkerson
*ODESSA REIGN,
*ONE WHEEL BANDIT, dir. Rick Gonzalez
*SPANISH JOE REMEMBERS, dirs. Sami Miranda and Ellie Warton
*PARK REGENT, dir. Victoria Broadus
*OUTSIDE LINE, dir. Jack Gordon

05/25/2023

Open position: Community Grants Program Manager for immediate hire. The manager will work closely with the rest of the grant making team to co-lead the development and implementation of the Community Grants Program in line with HumanitiesDC’s overall mission and vision.

For more information on the role, visit HumanitiesDC.org/opportunities

HumanitiesDC seeks people who are passionate about the two words that make up our name, humanities + DC, to help us build an enthusiastic, talented and engaging team.

05/02/2023

With a sold out crowd, the third event in the HumanitiesDC Culture Series, Transgender Oral Histories, was an amazing moment of education and enlightenment with the revelatory perspectives of Dee Curry, Gibby Thomas, PooPoo Earls, and Rhonda Stewart along with guest curators and moderators Darby Hickey and Tessa Jelani. From tales of club hopping in downtown DC to words of wisdom for today, the room was filled with endless laughter and deep sincerity.

One attendee, Evan Perry, gave a great synopsis of the evening saying, “my biggest takeaway is to stick true to you, find out what your life is supposed to be and make it happen.”

Be sure to keep an eye out on our events calendar at https://humanitiesdc.org/events/ for the next Culture Series event!

04/27/2023

Congratulations to all 51 grant recipients who were selected by our community grant reviewers to receive funding for the 2023 HumanitiesDC Cycle I! 🎊

Over $800,000 went out to all 8 wards of DC to fund amazing projects ranging from one-one-one interviews with seven Washington Women in Jazz () musicians to projects documenting the history of exclusion, segregation, and integration of Black Deaf students at the Kendall School.

Thank you to the grant reviewers who diligently evaluated each application and critically selected the recipients.

We are thrilled to celebrate and highlight you all and your work in the coming months! 🥳🎉

04/20/2023

Calling all DC filmmakers! In partnership with we are thrilled to announce DC/FRAME, a special aspect of the DC/DOX festival that highlights local documentary filmmakers in the District.

If you are a filmmaker in the DC metropolitan area and you have a film that showcases the city’s culture, communities, creations, and more, this is an opportunity for you!

The submission deadline is in TWO WEEKS, closing on May 5, 2023. So if you or someone you know may be interested, apply now! Go to this link to apply: airtable.com/shrE20eQ4xnrgGv4N)

04/06/2023

Cycle II Grants Are Here! HumanitiesDC is now accepting applications for the Capacity Building Grant as well as the DC Oral History Collaborative Grant extension. These applications will be due May 2, 2023.

The Capacity Building grant offers an award amount of $25,000 and supports non-profit organizations with a humanities-focused mission and annual budgets of less than $2 million.

For the DC Oral History Collaborative Extension grant, anyone who has received a DC Oral History Collaborative grant, closed it out successfully, and wants to continue the work they did under that grant are eligible to receive up to $7,000. For more information, contact Jasper Collier at [email protected].

04/03/2023

April 10 UPDATE: EVENT POSTPONED, STAY TUNED FOR THE NEW DATE!

Busted bracket? No worries, the March Madness will continue well into April with the next Beyond the Archives event from the DC Oral History Collaborative. Over the course of many years, Washington, DC basketball legend Pennington Greene has the opportunity to interview over 100 people who have contributed to the city's basketball history. Join us as he and his team screen the trailer for the developing project, share some of the original oral history interviews, and discuss what it has meant to undertake Supreme Courts, this labor of love.

03/14/2023

Grant Application Extended for next 24 hours! Still working on last minute details for that grant? Good news! The original March 14th grant application deadline has been extended to March 15th, 5:59pm EST for all Cycle I Grants. All applications submitted by this new deadline will be considered on time.

02/28/2023

Join us for the next HumanitiesDC Culture Series with guest curator, The Dap Project. On Thursday, March 16th, come listen to the women making waves in the spaces historically occupied only by Black men. Hear from seasoned stylists and learn about their journeys in cutting hair and curating safe spaces for the culture. This is Sisters with Clippers: True Stories from Black Women Barbers. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/culture-series-sistas-with-clippers-true-stories-from-black-women-barbers-tickets-558171665477

02/14/2023

You’re invited! In the HumanitiesDC Culture Series inaugural event, writer, producer and cultural worker Saaret E. Yoseph () presents her multi-faceted, intergenerational oral history project JOURNEY(S): Addis to DC. Combining documentary interviews with original poetry, the project takes audience members on a narrative trip between sister cities Washington, DC and Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Featuring the voices of long-time and former District residents, JOURNEY(S) explores identity, migration, memory and the meaning of “home.” Joining her for an intergenerational conversation will be project narrators and collaborators. We hope you’ll be able to seize this opportunity to hear their stories and unique contributions to DC history!

Register here: https://hcs_journeys.eventbrite.com/

02/10/2023

02/10/2023

01/26/2023

Mark your calendar for this event, the first Saturday of Black History Month! Hosted by DC Black History Celebration Committee