Author of Acclaimed Books About D.C. Black Poets to Take Part in Foggy Bottom Book Crawl

June 4, 2026

The Foggy Bottom Book Crawl is a free literary event (with suggested $10 donation) taking place on June 6 from 11 a. m. to 2 p.

Who is affected

Brian Gilmore (author and D.C. native participating in the event)
Washington, D.C.'s African American literary community
Authors participating in the Book Crawl readings
Attendees of the event
Foggy Bottom West End Main Street (nonprofit organizing the event)
The historical Black community of Foggy Bottom (including Duke Ellington's family)

What action is being taken

The Foggy Bottom Book Crawl event is taking place on Saturday, June 6, from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., featuring multiple author readings across curated venues in the District.

Why it matters

This event highlights Washington, D.C.'s often-overlooked but vibrant African American literary tradition that has influenced American poetry for a century. It honors the historical significance of Foggy Bottom as a former Black neighborhood where cultural icons like Duke Ellington were born, while demonstrating how Black poets created resilient literary communities and networks despite facing Jim Crow segregation. The event showcases the ongoing vitality of D.C.'s literary scene and connects contemporary writers with this rich historical legacy.

What's next

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer