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.
Give Meaningful Gifts
new and rare books • independent films • handcrafts
Upcoming Events
Upcoming Events
Book Talk - The Damned Don’t Cry: Pages from the Life of a Black Prisoner and OrganizerMon, May 04Sankofa Video Books & Café
Youth, Poetry & Protest - Discussion with Jason Reynolds and HU StudentsWed, May 06Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Honoring Sterling Brown: All Trails Lead to Sterling BrownThu, May 07Sankofa Video Books & Café
Honoring Sterling Brown - New Age Open MicFri, May 08Sankofa Video Books & Café
Contemporary Uganda: Museveni’s Rule, Opposition Politics, and the Struggle for Decolonized LeadershipSat, May 16Sankofa Video Books & Café- Film Screening - THE VILLAGE NEXT TO PARADISE (2024)Sat, May 23Sankofa Video Books & Café
Book Event - Laundering Black Rage: The Washing of Black Death, People, Property, and Profits with Too BlackFri, May 29Sankofa Video Books & Café
UNTAPPED BLACK GENIUS Poetry Writing Workshop with Laini MatakaSat, May 30Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Talk - Cord SwellFri, Jun 12Sankofa Video Books & Café- Book + Tasting Event - Caribbean Cocktails: Drinks and Bites from the Afro-Latino DiasporaMon, Jun 29Sankofa Video Books & Café
HU African Diaspora Literatures Chair's Series at SankofaFri, Sep 18Sankofa Video Books & Café- Book Event - Blue Beach with Author Karyn ParsonsThu, Oct 15Sankofa Video Books & Café
Book Event - The Indignant Generation: A Narrative History of African American Writers and Critics from 1934-1960Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - Alive and Paranoid with Musa SpringerDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
The Subtext of Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat - How to read a filmDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - Toni at Random with Dana A. WilliamsDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe- Yohannes Sisters - Modern Fashion in EthiopiaDate and time is TBDLocation is TBD
Kente Weaving Workshop - Watermelon Day!Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
New Arrivals
Opening Hours
Store Hours
Mon-Sat: 11:00am - 8:00pm
Sun: 11:00am - 6:00pm
Cafe Hours
Mon-Thu: 9:00am - 10:00pm
Fri & Sat: 9:00am - 11:30pm
Sun: 9:00am - 9:00pm
visit us
We are located across the street from the Howard Business School, minutes away from the historic U Street and Shaw neighborhoods. Metrorail stations Petworth, U Street, Columbia Heights and Shaw-Howard are located approximately .8 miles away. 70 & 79 buses offer convenient stops nearby.