Content Description 4 oral history interviews (approx 60 minutes each) and the full 23-minute short film “Feed/Back”, a short experimental documentary released in 2022 in partnership with the Center for Story-based Strategy and Village X Studio. The film wove together a futurist narrative of escape with present-day stories of food service workers, many formerly employed at Busboys and Poets, a cultural centerpiece in the DMV community. It was awarded Best Director (DMV Short Film Festival) and honorable mention...

Abstract

Wilson describes his experiences with Busboys and Poets growing up and then as an employee. He describes the events leading up to his resignation as well as incidents of retaliation, wage theft and harassment he experienced and witnessed while working there.

Abstract

Butler (she/they) narrates their experiences at Busboys and Poets, first as a child and later as a poet and employee. She explores the cultural role that Busboys has played in DC along with gentrification in the city and how it has impacted arts spaces. Butler describes their understanding of the responsibility that business owners have toward the communities that they serve, in particular DC’s local Black community.