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 - Dream Sis! Connect in Color! The Live ExperienceThu, Jul 17Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Draw Your Name!Mon, Jul 21Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - The Earth’s Dance of Wind and FireFri, Jul 25Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
REPARATIONS OF A DIFFERENT SORT Writing Workshop with Laini MatakaSat, Jul 26Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - No Cop City, No Cop World: Lessons from the MovementSat, Jul 26Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Haiti on Our Mind with Free BenjaminSun, Jul 27Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Launch - Hubert Harrison: Forbidden Genius of Black RadicalismThu, Jul 31Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - Ambitions and Keeping Up Appearances in the Making of a DoctorFri, Aug 01Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Kente Weaving Workshop - Watermelon Day!Sat, Aug 02Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Watermelon Day 2025Sat, Aug 02Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Book Event - Pursuing Alexander Pushkin, A MemoirSat, Aug 09Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe- Book Event - Black Power Scoreboard: Measuring the Racial Gap and What We Can Do to Close ItThu, Aug 21Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
- Book Event - W.E.B. Du Bois, Ethiopianism, and Black Internationalism: A New Interpretation of the Global Color LineSat, Aug 23Sankofa 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
- The Subtext of Soundtrack to a Coup d'Etat - How to read a filmDate 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
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.