


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 Event - Enemy of the Sun: Poetry of Palestinian ResistanceFri, Dec 05Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
ታሪከ ነፀር - የመጽሐፍ ምረቃ ከጸሃፊ ሽፈራው ዕንቁባሕሪይ ጋርSat, Dec 06Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Open Mic - Crescent Moon NightsSat, Dec 06Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - Fes Is a Mirror: A Novella with Author Chantal JamesFri, Dec 12Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
አብዮታውያን በነገስታት ዙፋን ላይ (Republicans on the Throne) የመጽሐፍ ውይይት ከጸሃፊ ተካልኝ ገዳሙ ጋርSat, Dec 13The Moorland-Springarn Research Center
Book Event - Toni at Random with Dana A. WilliamsSat, Dec 20Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe- Book Launch - No More Worlds to Conquer by Brian GilmoreSat, Jan 24Sankofa 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 - Alive and Paranoid with Musa SpringerDate 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- Ethiopian Jazz and BeyondDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe

Book Event - Pretty Girl CountyDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe- What Happened to Riverbend? - An In -Person Experience at SankofaDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe

Book Event - The Indignant Generation: A Narrative History of African American Writers and Critics from 1934-1960Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
"In the Hour of Chaos" Film Screening + "Freedom Moves" Book EventDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - Toward a More Perfect Rebellion by Josslyn LuckettDate and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Community Discussion with Nature, Environment, and Wildlife Filmmakers (NEWF) - Diving with a PurposeDate 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.

























