04-14-2022 Howard Magazine - Flipbook - Page 17
who are marginalized band
together.”
The 100-foot-long mural in the
restaurant reflects that. Shallal,
who painted it in a week, said
almost all of the historic figures
included are guests of the restaurant chain and friends.
The topic of race is a complicated one — especially in
the time of this country’s racial
reckoning. Describing the type
of food served at his restaurant
is a prime example. “Everyone
eats catfish and gumbo. I see it
as American food,” he said. “I’m
not trying to diminish or take
away the immense contribution
of Black cuisine or culture.”
The menu leans heavily
toward traditional Black cuisine
with nods to Shallal’s native
Iraq.
“Restaurants in this country
are very instrumental in creating a sense of encouraging desegregation. That’s why restaurants
are very important. We create
spaces where people sit together
and spark up conversation,”
he said. “We create intentional
spaces for interaction.”
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Columbia telling us we should
open a location there. It’s a
diverse community and it speaks
to the same values of Busboys &
Poets.”
Shallal’s biggest challenge
opening in Columbia has been
pandemic related.
“It has been challenging,” he
said. “We had to cancel so many
events because of omicron — including our New Year’s Eve Party,
which had a 150-person waiting
list. After omicron, lots of staff
had family, friends or they were
infected. We were down 40%.”
Shallal is finally seeing light
at the end of the tunnel. He’s
excited for the warmer weather
and the ability to open his
second-floor patio.
“We are moving forward full
steam ahead. We’re ready for
spring. I’m completely bullish
about the spring and the upcoming summer and getting back to
some kind of normal,” he said.
“If something happens, we’ll
readjust. That’s how you operate
a business.”
Even though Shallal does
not identify as Black, he says he
understands the plight of Black
people through his activism
work and his social circle.
“I identify much more with
Black culture,” he said. “People
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Busboys & Poets
6251 Mango Tree Road, Columbia.
410-734-2445.
busboysandpoets.com
American Voices
Laura Lee Fischer, Conductor
May 14, 2022, 8 PM – Jim Rouse Theatre, Columbia
Celebrating American composers Different backgrounds, Different styles,
Same spirit of freedom
Featuring: The Chorus America Consortium Commissioned
Work “Make Some Noise, Get in Trouble (Good Trouble,
Necessary Trouble)” by Roland M. Carter, adapted lyrics
from speeches by The Hon. John Lewis.
Shallal creates a unique mural at each of his locations.
www.procantare.org
howardmagazine.com | SPRING 2022 | 17