Each week, we list some ways to get engaged in the city — whether that’s protesting, organizing with your neighbors, or testifying before your councilmembers. This isn't an exhaustive list; share your events and trainings with us at 51st.news/submit-events.
For more ways to get connected, check out our resources roundup; and for more to do around the city, don't miss our Weekend Events post.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
Abolition 101 ⏰ 7 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Virtual This educational session from Harriet's Wildest Dreams will cover the introductory principles of abolition. You'll learn what it means to create safe communities without relying on police and prisons, and how you can help build new solutions beyond punishment. RSVP here.
Financial empowerment program ⏰ 5 - 7 p.m. 📍 1100 New Jersey Ave. SE Tzedek DC, a legal-aid nonprofit that promotes racial and economic justice, is hosting a free eight-week financial literacy program for any adult D.C. resident. The course will cover spending plans, debt, understanding your paycheck, building credit and investing — and participants will be eligible for a $100 grant at the end of the program to kick-start their investment journey. RSVP here.
Virtual volunteer fair ⏰ 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. 📍 Virtual If you're feeling inspired to lend a hand this back-to-school season, the DC Mentoring and Tutoring Initiative is bringing together multiple youth-focused orgs that could use your help! Learn about opportunities across all grade levels, different roles like tutoring, mentoring, and coaching, and different schedules (weekday, weekend, and weeknight help are all needed!) RSVP here.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9
Protect DC Maternal Health Community Forum ⏰ 5 - 7 p.m. 📍 People's Congregational United Church of Christ (4704 13th St. NW) In July, MedStar — the hospital that delivers a third of the babies in D.C.— shuttered one of its two post-partum wards, leaving just 18 beds. Unionized nurses are coming together with DC Jobs with Justice for an important conversation about how to protect maternal health locally, featuring Democratic nominee for mayor Janeese Lewis George. RSVP here.
Free DC Campaign Orientation ⏰ 7 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Virtual Looking for more ways to build power in your community? Free DC is the place to start. This orientation will catch you up to speed on the work currently being done to protect D.C. and show you where you can plug in with your ward team (like, for example, at the Ward 1 meeting later this week.) RSVP here.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 10
Harriet's Wildest Dreams information session ⏰ 7 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 Virtual Looking for a way to defend D.C.'s autonomy? One place to start: Our city's Black-led abolitionist community defense hub. At this virtual event, you'll get caught up to speed on the organization's current work and learn how you can get involved. RSVP here.
Know Your Rights training ⏰ 6:30 - 8 p.m. 📍 Virtual We're more than a year into Trump's occupation of D.C., with federal officers and National Guard troops patrolling the city. This Free DC training will teach you how to protect yourself and your neighbors in interactions with law enforcement. RSVP here.
Celebrate the Southeast Library reopening ⏰ 11 a.m. - 12 p.m. ribbon cutting, 5 - 7 p.m. block party 📍 Southeast Library (403 Seventh St. SE) Eastern Market's library branch closed for renovations in early 2024 — and this week, you could be one of the first to go back inside to see the expanded space and new accessible entrance. Meet up with neighbors in the evening for live music, snacks, and giveaways!
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
Hike for a Cure ⏰ 9:30 a.m. meetup, 10 a.m. hike leaves 📍 The Well at Oxon Run (300 Valley Ave. SE) It's Sickle Cell Awareness Month, and D.C.'s Department of Parks and Recreation and local Black outdoors group The Hike Crew are hosting an easy 3-mile hike. The goals: support nonprofit Stars of Hope, build community, and help you to move your body. Wear sneakers, bring water, and RSVP here.
Community conversation: Coalition and solidarity building after 9/11 ⏰ 2 - 5 p.m. 📍 Bol Coop (716 Monroe St. NE) Marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, this panel conversation will look at how Muslim, Arab American, Palestinian, and Sikh communities built community and solidarity in the wake of the attacks. Featuring Krittika Ghosh, Maha Hilal, Abeer Ramadan-Shinnawi, and Manpreet Teji, the panel will run from 2 - 3 p.m., followed by a snack break. The event will round out with a story-sharing and facilitated discussion.
Benefit concert for Dr. Badar Khan Suri ⏰ Doors 5 p.m., show 5:30 p.m. 📍 Pearl Street Warehouse (33 Pearl St. SW) Local bands Somebody's Daughter and Fetcher are coming together to raise legal funds for Georgetown professor and postdoctoral fellow Dr. Badar Khan Suri, who was arrested by ICE last year and is currently fighting his deportation case. Tickets are $27.50, and all of the proceeds will go toward Khan Suri's GoFundMe.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
Mural unveiling ⏰ 1 - 3:30 p.m. 📍 The Festival Center back lot (1640 Columbia Rd. NW) Local artist Shani Shih has completed a new mural at the Festival Center, and several Ward 1 groups are coming together to mark the occasion. Join Ward 1 Mutual Aid, the 411 Collective, the D.C. Restaurant Organizing Committee, and more for an afternoon of food and art in community during Adams Morgan Day!
Adams Morgan Day volunteering ⏰ 12 - 6 p.m. 📍 Adams Morgan, various locations For the 48th (!) year, Adams Morgan is throwing down for a street festival and volunteers are needed! Sign up for a shift, from helping with social media to working information booths. No experience is necessary, just a love of the neighborhood. You can sign up here.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14
Craft and sip for D.C. restaurant workers ⏰ 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. 📍 The Festival Center (1640 Columbia Rd. NW) The Restaurant Organizing Collective's monthly craft and sip will be a quilted postcard workshop. Yarn, crochet, clay, beads, and more will be provided, along with snacks and non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP here, as space and supplies are limited!
Colleen is a 51st co-founder and a former DCist reporter. Her work has appeared in NPR, Street Sense Media, and The Washington Post. She currently lives in New York, where she's pursuing an MFA.
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