Research Guides: UW1020: Writing for Social Change: Get Involved: Local Events and Community Actions

Lectures and Talks

Finding Lectures and Book Talks

Sign up for newsletters from local bookshops (see links below)
Browse events calendars at local libraries and universities (see links below)
Sign up for notices from the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service.
Look for flyers around campus.

Events at Local Bookshops

Busboys and Poets
Busboys and Poets is a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted… a place to take a deliberate pause and feed your mind, body and soul… a space for art, culture and politics to intentionally collide… we believe that by creating such a space we can inspire social change and begin to transform our community and the world.
Kramers Bookstore
Kramers is an iconic independent bookstore, versatile events space, award-winning restaurant, and illustrious bar — all in one. Since 1976, Kramers has been the quintessential gathering place for friendly locals, curious visitors, highfalutin foodies, happy hour revelers, comedy lovers, jazz experts, authors, intellectuals, and frankly, everyone else, too.
Loyalty Bookstores
We like books. We like you. And we’re ready to bring the best diverse books and events to our community. Loyalty was founded by Hannah Oliver Depp, a Black and Queer Bookseller who has spent her career working to diversify the book industry in order for it to better serve the powerful communities of color and queerness.
Mahogany Books
Unapologetically Black-owned, family-run and operated. MahoganyBooks is a local independent bookstore that believes in social entreprenuership. We take a leadership role in the African American community by promoting reading, writing, and cultural awareness as tools to improve self-esteem, self-love and ultimately our communities to enrich the lives of motivated individuals.
People's Book
People's Book is now open in downtown Takoma Park! With over 12,000 new books, we provide readers of all ages opportunities to explore, learn, and connect.
Politics and Prose
DC's premier independent bookstore and cultural hub.
Potter's House
The Potter’s House is a nonprofit café, bookstore, and event space in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, DC. Since opening our doors in 1960 we have been a key place for deeper conversation, creative expression, and community transformation.
Sankofa
Founded by Shirikiana and Haile Gerima and named after the internationally acclaimed film SANKOFA they produced. It's symbol, the Sankofa Bird, looks backward constantly checking as she moves into the future.

Events at Local Libraries and Universities

DC Public Library Events
All upcoming events at DC Public Library. From author talks and story times to book clubs, computer classes and sewing workshops - there's something for everyone!
GW Library Events
GW Libraries hold a lot of events and workshops for students throughout the semester.
GW Events Calendar
Find events at GW.
Events at the Library of Congress
Smithsonian Institute Events Calendar
Talks, tours, performances, and more at the Smithsonian Institutes

Rallies, Protests, Marches, Direct Action

Finding Community Action Events

Look for flyers around campus.
Identify an issue you care about and search for DC activist organizations related to it.
Pay attention to news articles about protests and find out who is organizing; follow their social media or browse their websites.

Rallies in Washington DC
A list of rallies from eventbrite
Washingtonian: DC Protests
News about protests from Washingtonian.