Marjan Saghafi Shallal is a political activist and co-owner of Busboys & Poets restaurants in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. As a human rights activist, she has been involved with many different organizations that work to secure equal rights for women and children in both the United States and aboard. Marjan also works with organizations such as Pathways to Housing to find housing and support for men and women who are deemed “chronically homeless” — individuals who have been living on the streets for years with serious and untreated mental health challenges such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Marjan earned an M.A. in Telecommunications from George Mason University and has over 20 years of experience working in telecommunications companies. Currently she is pursuing a Master’s degree in social services and social work at the Catholic University of America, and intends to harness her passion and skills to serve diverse socially disadvantaged populations. Marjan was appointed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia to serve as a Co-Chair, Development, PR and Marketing on the Humanities Council of Washington DC.