We went to Compass Coffee in Shaw to enjoy the power of words with the PEN/Faulkner Foundation.

We snapped Compass Coffee co-founder Michael Haft and his mom, PEN/Faulkner Foundation Board VP Mary Haft. Michael and his co-founder started the popular coffee bar after returning from Afghanistan as Marines because coffee kept them going serving their country through months as platoon commanders.

We had cocktails and conversation with the evening's honorees, writers Mitchell Jackson and Leslie Jamison, who also spoke last night at a PEN/Faulkner book talk at the Folger Shakespeare Library.

Compass crafted cocktails included The Faulkner (bourbon, rum, brandy, lemon and coffee) and The Jackson (bourbon, sweet vermouth, coffee liqueur, coffee and a cherry). Here, PEN/Faulkner Foundation president Richard McCann and executive director Emma Snyder bookend Ginny Grenham.

Union Kitchen catered mushroom sushi with citrus tamari, chicken skewers, and fresh herb Chiqs. Here, PEN/Faulkner Foundation's Greg Langen, Little Salon's Chris Maier, Megan Buskey and writer Matt Davis.

The event benefited PEN/Faulkner’s literary outreach program, Writers in Schools. Pictured, George Mason MFA's Lina Patton, Sarah Batcheller, Lily Wright, Sam Ashworth and Kristen Briba.