Andy Shallal
Keynote Speaker: CEO of Busboys & Poets; Artist, Entrepreneur & Painter, Award-Winning Peace Activist & Philanthropist
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Andy Shallal Biography
Andy Shallal is an Iraqi-American artist, activist, and entrepreneur best known as the founder of Busboys and Poets, a progressive restaurant, bookstore, and cultural hub based in Washington, D.C. Born in Baghdad and immigrating to the United States at a young age, Shallal has long straddled the intersection of art, politics, and community activism. His work reflects a deep commitment to social justice, peace, and cultural diversity.
Shallal’s early life was shaped by his experience as an immigrant and by his family’s displacement from Iraq. These formative experiences laid the foundation for his enduring concern with issues of identity, belonging, and political consciousness. Originally trained as a biochemist, he later pivoted toward more creative and civic endeavors, believing that change is often rooted in culture and conversation.
In 2005, Shallal opened the first Busboys and Poets in Washington, D.C., envisioning it as a space where art, politics, and good food could coexist. Named after poet Langston Hughes—who once worked as a busboy—the venue quickly became a haven for activists, artists, and thinkers. With its open mic nights, community forums, and socially conscious programming, Busboys and Poets has grown into a regional chain that remains deeply engaged with local communities and national conversations.
Beyond entrepreneurship, Shallal is a prolific muralist whose artwork can be found in several of his restaurants, each piece reflecting themes of resistance, equity, and multiculturalism. He has also been active in political organizing and progressive causes, particularly in the areas of anti-war activism, racial justice, and local politics. In 2014, he ran for mayor of Washington, D.C., campaigning on a platform of inclusion, education reform, and economic equity.
Shallal's multifaceted career reflects a rare blending of artistic sensibility and civic responsibility. He continues to be a leading voice in conversations about how public spaces can foster dialogue, healing, and social change. Through his work, he exemplifies the power of the arts not just as a form of expression, but as a vehicle for activism and community building.
Shallal has founded or co-founded several peace movement organizations and holds leadership positions in numerous others. Among them are Iraqi Americans for Peaceful Alternatives, created prior to the 2003 invasion, and The Peace Cafe, which seeks to promote Arab-Jewish dialogue. At 800 members, it is the largest such group in the Washington, D.C., area. Shallal is a Peace Fellow with Seeds of Peace, spokesperson for Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) and at one point was chair of the board of trustees for Abraham's Vision, a conflict transformation organization working with Muslims, Jews, Palestinians, and Israelis. Shallal is a recipient of the United Nations Human Rights Community Award and has been named Man of the Year by the Washington Peace Center. He is a Foreign Policy In Focus analyst for the left-leaning think tank Institute for Policy Studies and current board member serving as Treasurer.
In 2010, the Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington gave an award to Shallal for his support of the local arts community. On October 12, 2010, Shallal was awarded the Champions of Democracy Award by DCVote for his activism in support of voting rights for the people of the District of Columbia. Shallal is a member of Restaurant Opportunities Centers United (ROC-United) which works to help improve wages and working conditions for restaurant workers.
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Andy Shallal Videos
How do I book Andy Shallal to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Andy Shallal for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Andy Shallal, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Andy Shallal or any other speaker of your choice.
How much does it cost to book Andy Shallal for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Andy Shallal, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Andy Shallal, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent.
What topics does Andy Shallal speak about?
Andy Shallal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, Business Leadership, Business, Diversity & Inclusion, Non-Profit, Social Activism, Social Justice, Civil Rights, Middle Eastern Heritage, Poetry, Social Entrepreneurship and Culture.
Where does Andy Shallal travel from?
Andy Shallal generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances.
Who is the agent for Andy Shallal?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Andy Shallal for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Andy Shallal for your next private or corporate function.
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Andy Shallal or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us.
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
Andy Shallal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics including Hospitality, Entrepreneurship and Business Leadership. The estimated speaking fee range to book Andy Shallal for live events is $10,000 - $20,000. Please contact us for virtual event fees. Andy Shallal generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Jasmine Crowe-Houston, Dr. Michael Time and Linda Sarsour. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Andy Shallal for an upcoming event.
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Andy Shallal Videos
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How do I book Andy Shallal to speak at my event?
Our experienced booking agents have successfully helped clients around the world secure speakers like Andy Shallal for speaking engagements, personal appearances, product endorsements, or corporate entertainment since 2002. Click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page to check availability for Andy Shallal, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to discuss your upcoming event. One of our experienced agents will be happy to help you get speaking fee information and check availability for Andy Shallal or any other speaker of your choice. -
How much does it cost to book Andy Shallal for a speaking engagement?
Speaking fees for Andy Shallal, or any other speakers and celebrities, are determined based on a number of factors and may change without notice. The estimated fee for a live event is $10,000 - $20,000. For the most current speaking fee to hire Andy Shallal, click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536 to speak directly with an experienced booking agent. -
What topics does Andy Shallal speak about?
Andy Shallal is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics such as Hospitality, Entrepreneurship, Business Leadership, Business, Diversity & Inclusion, Non-Profit, Social Activism, Social Justice, Civil Rights, Middle Eastern Heritage, Poetry, Social Entrepreneurship and Culture. -
Where does Andy Shallal travel from?
Andy Shallal generally travels from Washington, DC, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. -
Who is the agent for Andy Shallal?
AAE Speakers Bureau has successfully secured keynote speakers like Andy Shallal for clients worldwide since 2002. As a full-service speaker booking agency, we have access to virtually any speaker or celebrity in the world. Our agents are happy and able to submit an offer to the speaker or celebrity of your choice, letting you benefit from our reputation and long-standing relationships in the industry. Please click the Check Schedule button above and complete the form on this page including the details of your event, or call our office at 1.800.698.2536, and one of our agents will assist you to book Andy Shallal for your next private or corporate function. -
What is a full-service speaker booking agency?
AAE Speakers Bureau is a full-service speaker booking agency, meaning we can completely manage the speaker’s or celebrity’s engagement with your organization from the time of booking your speaker through the event’s completion. We provide all of the services you need to host Andy Shallal or any other speaker of your choice, including offer negotiation, contractual assistance, accounting and billing, and event speaker travel and logistics services. When you book a speaker with us, we manage the process of hosting a speaker for you as an extension of your team. Our goal is to give our clients peace of mind and a best-in-class service experience when booking a speaker with us. -
Why is AAE Speakers Bureau different from other booking agencies?
If you’re looking for the best speaker recommendations, paired with a top-notch customer service experience, you’re in the right place. At AAE Speakers Bureau, we exclusively represent the interests of our clients - professional organizations, companies, universities, and associations. We intentionally do not represent the speakers we feature or book. That is so we can present our clients with the broadest and best performing set of speaker options in the market today, and we can make these recommendations without any obligation to promote a specific speaker over another. This is why when our agents suggest a speaker for your event, you can be assured that they are of the highest quality with a history of proven success with our other clients.
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