Anas Shallal

Anas “Andy” Shallal is an artist, activist, and social entrepreneur.  He was born in Iraq and moved to Washington DC with his family in 1966. He is the founder of Busboys and Poets, a restaurant, bookstore, fair trade market and a community where racial and cultural connections are consciously uplifted; A space where art, culture and politics intentionally collide; and A place to feed your body, mind and soul. Shallal has founded or co-founded several peace and justice organizations and holds leadership positions in numerous others. He is the treasurer for the Institute for Policy Studies and the Chairman of Think Local First DC, a local business association.  He also sits on the board of several arts and peace organizations and continues to make his hometown of Washington DC a more livable community.