Andy Shallal is an Iraqi-American artist, activist, and entrepreneur, perhaps best known locally as the founder and owner of Busboys and Poets, a small chain of restaurants that feature bookstores, performance spaces, works by local artists, and foods from around the world. Psyche Williams-Forson is an associate professor and chair of American Studies. A scholar of material culture and food, she has published two books: Taking Food Public: Redefining Foodways in a Changing World and Building Houses Out of Chicken Legs: Black Women, Food, & Power. Their discussion will focus on the cultural politics of Shallal's work as artist, activist, and restaurateur. How is that work informed by his own migration experience? How does a place like Busboys and Poets (with its eclectic variety of foods and its commitment to being a multicultural hub that showcases visual, literary, and performing arts) both reflect and enhance the lively, mixed culture that is produced by migrations? The event will also include performances by Regie Cabico, a Filipino-American poet and spoken word pioneer who has appeared on NPR's Snap Judgement, a TEDx Talk and MTV. A light reception will follow in the lobby.

This event is part of the Year of Immigration, which aims to transform dialogue into impact on urgent issues related to immigration, global migration and refugees, and to foster open conversation and greater connection with the University of Maryland’s large and diverse international community. For more information visit yearofimmigration.umd.edu.