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Since '98

Founded by Shirikiana and Haile Gerima and named after the internationally acclaimed film SANKOFA they produced. It's symbol, the Sankofa Bird, looks backward constantly checking as she moves into the future.

Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe is liberated territory that hopes to be a place where thoughtful consideration of the past and future can take place via books, films, and programming particularly generated by and about people of African Descent.

I want to know more

Black
Lions,
Roman Wolves

Support today by making a tax-deductible donation towards final completion costs of Black Lions, Roman Wolves, the 5-part, 10-hour-plus documentary film by Haile Gerima.

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Featured Books

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Upcoming Events

Afrakan Love MRR
Wed, Oct 30
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Oct 30, 2024, 8:00 PM – Oct 31, 2024, 10:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Oct 30, 2024, 8:00 PM – Oct 31, 2024, 10:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us in fostering an environment to serve as a catalyst for genuine relationships among young adults!
RSVP

Thundaman Live!
Fri, Nov 01
Sankofa
Nov 01, 2024, 8:00 PM – Nov 02, 2024, 11:00 PM
Sankofa , 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 01, 2024, 8:00 PM – Nov 02, 2024, 11:00 PM
Sankofa , 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Limited space available!
RSVP

Multiple Dates
Free Amharic Language Classes
Sun, Nov 03
Sankofa Video & Books
Nov 03, 2024, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 03, 2024, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us for a free language class taught by Kamau Grimes every Sunday!
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Book Launch: Class War in America: How the Elites Divide the Nation by Asking Are You a Worker or Are You White?
Sun, Nov 03
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 03, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 03, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Former Washington Post foreign correspondent Jon Jeter will be at Sankofa for his upcoming book launch!
RSVP

Film Screening: AFTER WINTER: STERLING BROWN
Sat, Nov 09
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 09, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us 7PM Saturday, November 9, at Sankofa for a special screening of Haile Gerima's 1985 documentary film!
RSVP

Baraka the Playwright
Sun, Nov 10
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 10, 2024, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 10, 2024, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Honoring the incredible Amiri Baraka! Featuring a powerful dramatic play reading, celebrating his impactful legacy. Let’s come together to honor his contributions and the indelible mark he left.
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Congo on Our Mind
Sun, Nov 10
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 10, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 10, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join Haile Gerima and Sankofa Video & Books in this space of Artistic Expression and Protest!
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RESTRICTIONS ON FREE SPEECH & EXPRESSION IN THE CARIBBEAN
Mon, Nov 11
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 11, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 11, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
JOIN RALPH THORNE, LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION (BARBADOS), DR. NATHAN WANGUSI (KENYA), MARCIA WEEKES (BARBADOS) & EUGENIA CHARLES (HAITI) IN A DISCUSSION AT SANKOFA!
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Book Event - The American Psyche: Black and White
Thu, Nov 14
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 14, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 14, 2024, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join author S.J. Claybon for a discussion about his book, "The American Psyche: Black and White." Moderated by Winslow Woodland.
RSVP

Film Screening: Lynden
Sun, Nov 17
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 17, 2024, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 17, 2024, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us for an exclusive screening of the documentary film "LYNDEN," followed by a discussion featuring Haile Gerima, Amsalech Burke, and Elilita Warden on the topic of trans-racial adoption
RSVP

Film Screening: TEZA
Sat, Nov 23
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 23, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 23, 2024, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us 7PM Saturday, November 23, for a special screening of Haile Gerima's 2008 film, TEZA and a discussion with actress Araba Evelyn Arthur-Johnston!
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GAZA ON OUR MIND
Sun, Nov 24
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Nov 24, 2024, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Nov 24, 2024, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Calling all artists, poets, singers, playwrights, towncryers in the DMV!
RSVP

Love Vibrations
Sat, Dec 21
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Dec 21, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Dec 21, 2024, 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us for a special performance by legendary performers Free Benjamin and Ayanna Gregory!
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TONI MORRISON and the GEOPOETICS of PLACE, RACE and BE/LONGING with Author Dr. Marilyn Mobley
Date and time is TBD
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Date and time is TBD
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Date and time is TBD
Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Author Dr. Marilyn Mobley will be at Sankofa Friday, October 18, 7:00pm - 9:00pm!
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Stepping Out: The Unapologetic Style of African Americans Over Fifty
Date and time is TBD
Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
Date and time is TBD
Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Date and time is TBD
Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
Join us as we welcome Connie Briscoe into the space the brains behind Stepping Out: The Unapologetic Style of African Americans Over Fifty!
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