Humanities DC

Humanities DC HumanitiesDC provides grants for cultural, educational, creative and community-based initiatives.

The Humanities Council of DC provides grants for cultural, educational, creative and community-based initiatives. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of HumanitiesDC, our partnering organizations or our funders. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you have any questions, concerns, or comments.

We’ve been waiting to share this one. 💜On September 11, we’re bringing Defining Love to Art All Night Anacostia.We’ve sp...
09/04/2026

We’ve been waiting to share this one. 💜

On September 11, we’re bringing Defining Love to Art All Night Anacostia.
We’ve spent the past several months listening to Black Washingtonians reflect on what Black love means to them. Now, we’re opening that conversation up even further.

Join us at ONE DC for an evening featuring clips from the film, music, breathwork, interactive programming, raffles, community conversation + more.

You’ll also have a chance to add your own voice to the question that started this project:

What does love mean to you?
📅 Friday, September 11 | 7–10 PM
📍 ONE DC Black Workers & Wellness Center
✨ Free + open to all

Presented by Black Love Documentary LLC (), the African American Holiday Association (Ayo Handy- Kendi), and Holiday ForblackFolks, in collaboration with , with sponsorship from Cooperation BASCOM (Damian Bascom). Defining Love is funded in part by .

Register + learn more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/defining-love-at-art-all-night-anacostia-tickets-1999420107364

Bring somebody you love. 💜

09/04/2026

In Part 2, DC native K O K A Y I reflects on what it means to be in love with where you’re from:

“...I’m always in love with this city, with a specific type of people who are proud of where we come from and understand the size of our city does not measure up against the size of our heart.”

From the sounds of Go-Go, to landmarks like the Big Chair, he shares how his favorite places, sights, and sounds have changed but also stayed familiar over the years.

If you haven’t already, check out part 1 to hear Kokayi’s full hometown DC Oral History Short. 🎧

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center, and DC Public Library.

🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more and register to attend our Closing Event on September 16!

09/04/2026

We’re back with our hometown DC: Oral History Shorts series! 🎧

Growing up in DC, Kokayi’s (K O K A Y I) parents encouraged him to appreciate his surroundings and explore everything the District has to offer, from the green spaces and playgrounds near his home in Ward 8, to his favorite Smithsonian museums and beyond.

“we’re able to celebrate finding ourselves within the historical context, and also making sure like we saw the city. Like never getting stuck in one spot and understanding the need to travel and move around.”

Just like Kokayi, the hometown DC neighborhood installations are on the move! 🚚
Catch the Ward 2 and Ward 8 cubes at the DC State Fair this Sunday, Sept 6 outside the Carnegie Library (800 K St NW). The full collection will come together at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library for a final exhibition from Sept 16-Oct 5.

Stay tuned for more Oral History Shorts as we celebrate the stories that make the District home during the final month of hometown DC!

🔗 Click the link in our bio to learn more about the project and register to attend our Closing Event on September 16.

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center, and DC Public Library. Learn more about this project at hometown.dchistory.org.

Get ready for an evening full of movement, music, and live storytelling at hometown DC’s Closing Event on September 16 a...
08/31/2026

Get ready for an evening full of movement, music, and live storytelling at hometown DC’s Closing Event on September 16 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (901 G St NW)!

We’re teaming up with Verbal Gymnastics Theater Company once again to bring recorded memories to life. Join the cast for a free, high energy performance of select hometown DC oral histories and audience stories using their signature Playback Theater method. Plus, explore all 16 hometown DC installations on display at the MLK Library from September 16 through October 5.

🎟️ Admission is FREE
👉 Follow the link to secure your seat for the Closing Event today: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/17123003

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, , , and . This project is part of the DC250 and By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 initiatives. Learn more at hometown.dchistory.org.

…
By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

Big moments deserve bold ideas, as does our city. Today, we’re excited to share a bold idea of our own: the DC History C...
08/18/2026

Big moments deserve bold ideas, as does our city.

Today, we’re excited to share a bold idea of our own: the DC History Center and HumanitiesDC have entered into an agreement to merge and become a new organization.

Together, we are creating a unified nonprofit dedicated to preserving the District's history, celebrating its culture, funding the humanities, and helping Washingtonians better understand our city and one another.

All of the programs, grants, collections, events, publications, and community partnerships that have defined both organizations are coming with us—serving as the foundation for our stronger, more connected future.

Read our full announcement here: https://dchistory.org/news-and-insights/a-new-chapter-for-dc-history-center-and-humanitiesdc/

Learn more at https://dchistory.org/merge/

Follow along for updates and ways to help shape this next chapter. Thank you for standing with us at this exciting beginning. 🎉

08/04/2026

In this Oral History Short, Bill Rock reflects on following his girlfriend (now his wife of 44 years) to DC and taking a courier job delivering packages across the city. From navigating alleys to stops at the Capitol, he shares how these experiences helped him find his footing and build community in a new city. 🛵🏛️

Check out our other recent Oral History Shorts and stay tuned for more!

Through the hometown DC initiative, we’re highlighting short, 1–3 minute oral history submissions from community members across the District. Whether you’re a lifelong Washingtonian or a relative newcomer, we want to hear your favorite DC memory, a neighborhood moment, or what makes this city feel like home to you.
Tap the link in our bio (tinyurl.com/hometown-dc) to record and submit your oral history short via TheirStory!

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center, and DC Public Library. Learn more about this project at hometown.dchistory.org.

07/31/2026

In Part 2, DC native Deirdre Darden (Deirdre) reflects on coming of age in the District. From nights out on U Street and Adams Morgan to curating the first exhibition with a Black artist at the DC Arts Center, she shares how these experiences have strengthened her connection to her roots and to her family’s legacy in a changing city.

If you haven’t already, check out part 1 to hear Deirdre’s full oral history short.

Every DC story deserves to be heard, including yours! We’re sharing 1–3 minute oral histories from community members, and we want to hear your favorite DC memories, neighborhood moments, or what makes this city feel like home.

Want to be featured next? Tap the link in our bio (tinyurl.com/hometown-dc) to record and submit your oral history short via TheirStory!

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center, and DC Public Library. Learn more about this project at hometown.dchistory.org.

07/31/2026

We’re kicking off our hometown DC: Oral History Shorts series with Deirdre Darden (Deirdre)! 🎙️

In this clip, DC native Deirdre shares how growing up in Chocolate City surrounded by the arts and local political activism shaped her identity, sense of community pride, and responsibility to get involved. Stay tuned for part 2 of Deirdre’s story and even more oral history clips!

Every DC story deserves to be heard, including yours! 🎧
Through the hometown DC initiative, we’re highlighting short, 1–3 minute oral history submissions from community members across the District. Whether you’re a lifelong Washingtonian or a relative newcomer, we want to hear your favorite DC memory, a neighborhood moment, or what makes this city feel like home to you.

Tap the link in our bio (tinyurl.com/hometown-dc) to record and submit your oral history short via TheirStory!

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center, and DC Public Library. Learn more about this project at hometown.dchistory.org.

Every DC story deserves to be heard, including yours! That's why we're launching the hometown DC: Oral History Shorts on...
07/24/2026

Every DC story deserves to be heard, including yours! That's why we're launching the hometown DC: Oral History Shorts on Instagram and YouTube.

We’re excited to highlight even more stories from across the DC community through this mini social media series featuring 1-3 minute oral history clips. Whether you're a lifelong Washingtonian or a relative newcomer, we want to hear your favorite DC memory, a neighborhood moment, or what makes this city feel like home to you.

Record and submit your oral history short via TheirStory for a chance to be featured! https://theirstory.io/DCOralHistoryCollaborative/hometown-dc-stories-in-motion/s/dqURn_ba21/solo

hometown DC is a joint project of HumanitiesDC, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center, and DC Public Library. Learn more about this project at hometown.dchistory.org.

Thank you to the 60+ guests who joined us at the Anacostia Community Museum for Step Into the Story: hometown DC On Stag...
07/24/2026

Thank you to the 60+ guests who joined us at the Anacostia Community Museum for Step Into the Story: hometown DC On Stage! 🎤🎭✨

John Johnson and the Verbal Gymnastics cast had the crowd dancing, laughing, and eager to share their DC stories throughout the entire event. Using their signature Playback Theater method, the cast highlighted stories shared by hometown DC narrators Ernestine Byrd Hamilton, Edward Underwood, and Babatunde Oloyede—plus memories shared live by our amazing audience.

As part of the hometown DC initiative, this event was held in partnership with other key partners, including DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DC History Center and DC Public Library.

Missed the show or interested in experiencing even more hometown DC excitement?

- Save the date for our next collaboration with Verbal Gymnastics at the hometown DC closing event on Wednesday, September 16 at the MLK Library. Stay tuned for more details.

- Explore all the featured oral history clips here: https://www.hometown.dchistory.org/explore-stories

- Check out the 16 interactive neighborhood exhibits currently on view at eight DC Public Library locations through September 12!

A community-driven public history project, hometown DC seeks to showcase the voices, stories, and lived experiences of District residents through oral history interviews, outdoor installations at eight DC Public Library locations, and free public events.

Learn more at hometown.dchistory.org.

This project is part of the DC250 and By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 initiatives.

By the People: Conversations Beyond 250 is a series of community-driven programs created by humanities councils in collaboration with local partners. The initiative was developed by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage.

Photos by Cindy Centeno

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