Andy Shallal

Andy Shallal is an Iraqi-American artist, activist, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Busboys and Poets, a progressive restaurant, bookstore, and cultural hub based in Washington, D.C. Born in Baghdad and immigrating to the United States at a young age, Shallal has long straddled the intersection of art, politics, and community activism. His work reflects a deep commitment to social justice, peace, and cultural diversity.

Shallal’s early life was shaped by his experience as an immigrant and by his family’s displacement from Iraq. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his enduring concern with issues of identity, belonging, and political consciousness. Originally trained as a biochemist, he later pivoted toward more creative and civic endeavors, believing that change is often rooted in culture and conversation.

In 2005, Shallal opened the first Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C., envisioning it as a space where art, politics, and good food could coexist. Named after poet Langston Hughes—who once worked as a busboy—the venue quickly became a haven for activists, artists, and thinkers. With its open mic nights, community forums, and socially conscious programming, Busboys and Poets has grown into a regional chain that remains deeply engaged with local communities and national conversations.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Shallal is a prolific muralist whose artwork can be found in several of his restaurants, each piece reflecting themes of resistance, equity, and multiculturalism. He has also been active in political organizing and progressive causes, particularly in the areas of anti-war activism, racial justice, and local politics. In 2014, he ran for mayor of Washington, D.C., campaigning on a platform of inclusion, education reform, and economic equity.

Shallal's multifaceted career reflects a rare blending of artistic sensibility and civic responsibility. He continues to be a leading voice in conversations about how public spaces can foster dialogue, healing, and social change. Through his work, he exemplifies the power of the arts not just as a form of expression, but as a vehicle for activism and community building.

Shallal has founded or co-founded several peace movement organizations and holds leadership positions in numerous others. Among them are Iraqi Americans for Peaceful Alternatives, created prior to the 2003 invasion, and The Peace Cafe, which seeks to promote Arab-Jewish dialogue. At 800 members, it is the largest such group in the Washington, D.C., area. Shallal is a Peace Fellow with Seeds of Peace, spokesperson for Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) and at one point was chair of the board of trustees for Abraham's Vision, a conflict transformation organization working with Muslims, Jews, Palestinians, and Israelis. Shallal is a recipient of the United Nations Human Rights Community Award and has been named Man of the Year by the Washington Peace Center. He is a Foreign Policy In Focus analyst for the left-leaning think tank Institute for Policy Studies and current board member serving as Treasurer.

In 2010, the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington gave an award to Shallal for his support of the local arts community. On October 12, 2010, Shallal was awarded the Champions of Democracy Award by DCVote for his activism in support of voting rights for the people of the District of Columbia. Shallal is a member of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United) which works to help improve wages and working conditions for restaurant workers.