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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.

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Give Meaningful Gifts

new and rare books • independent films • handcrafts

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

  • Black Space: A Sankofa Music Series ft. Reginald Cyntje & Herman Burney
    Black Space: A Sankofa Music Series ft. Reginald Cyntje & Herman Burney
    Tue, Sep 26
    Sankofa Video Books & Café
    Sep 26, 8:00 PM
    Sankofa Video Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 26, 8:00 PM
    Sankofa Video Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
  • Friday Night Flights: Open Mic Nights
    Friday Night Flights: Open Mic Nights
    Multiple Dates
    Fri, Sep 29
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Sep 29, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 29, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Looking for a spot to sing, dance, do stand-up, share your poetry, perform your spoken word, rap , or even play an instrument? All are welcome to share their gifts at Friday Night Flights Sankofa's regular open mic night! Every Last Friday of each month!
  • Date Night Ideas for Couples: Fun Ways to Connect with Your Partner
    Date Night Ideas for Couples: Fun Ways to Connect with Your Partner
    Fri, Oct 06
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Oct 06, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Oct 06, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    we’ve got a book discussion you won’t want to miss! Relationship Expert, Angela N Holton will be in conversation with Christina Joy, MSW our Events Coordinator on Angela’s new book: Date Night Ideas for Couples: Fun Ways to Connect with Your Partner for an Entertaining Night!
  • Black Children and Special Education
    Black Children and Special Education
    Wed, Oct 11
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Oct 11, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Oct 11, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    We're hosting Dr. Iya J'Nefer, The Integrative School Psychologist, as she presents an Afrikan Centered perspective on Black Children and Special Education!
  • Navigating School Selection 101: A Guide for African American Parents
    Navigating School Selection 101: A Guide for African American Parents
    Thu, Oct 12
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Oct 12, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Oct 12, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a night of exploring the best path to finding the right school for your child with Dr. Rona M. Frederick as we chat about her book Navigating School Selection 101: A Guide for African American Parents.
  • Libra Love SoundBath
    Libra Love SoundBath
    Fri, Oct 13
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Oct 13, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Oct 13, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a special performance by legendary performers Free Benjamin and Ayanna Gregory!
  • Moonrise Over New Jessup: Paperback Release
    Moonrise Over New Jessup: Paperback Release
    Tue, Jan 16
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Jan 16, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Jan 16, 2024, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    We're hosting the paperback release of Moonrise Over New Jessup by Jamila Minnicks!
  • Art Under the Stars Paint and Sip with Beteseb
    Art Under the Stars Paint and Sip with Beteseb
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa Video Books & Café
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa Video Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa Video Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Don’t miss your opportunity to get instruction from the classically trained, Alemaye. Make art in a relaxing, thoughtfully curated environment.
  • 12 Lessons I Learned From the Guardian Monk of the Ark of Covenant
    12 Lessons I Learned From the Guardian Monk of the Ark of Covenant
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    We're chatting with Jevon White as he takes on a journey through his book 12 Lessons I Learned From the Guardian Monk of the Ark of Covenant!
  • Jessica Care Moore : Live Poetry Reading at Sankofa!
    Jessica Care Moore : Live Poetry Reading at Sankofa!
    Time is TBD
    Location is TBD
    Time is TBD
    Location is TBD
    Time is TBD
    Location is TBD
    We are excited to have jessica Care Moore for an afternoon reading and book signing on Independent Bookstore Day during National Poetry Month! You don't want to miss this!
  • Very Intentional Parenting VIrtual Discussion
    Very Intentional Parenting VIrtual Discussion
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa TV
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa TV
    Time is TBD
    Sankofa TV
    Join us for a discussion with parenting coach, Destini Ann Davis, on her debut title Very Intentional Parenting!
  • Haile Gerima Presents: Gilmore on Sterling Brown and the History of Washington DC Poetry
    Haile Gerima Presents: Gilmore on Sterling Brown and the History of Washington DC Poetry
    Sat, Sep 23
    Sankofa Video & Books
    Sep 23, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 23, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a screening of Haile Gerima's After Winter: Sterling Brown followed by a lecture from poet, writer and attorney, Brian Gilmore. All ticket purchases will serve as a donation to Positive Productions Inc, a 501c3 organization created to support filmmakers of color!
  • Kin: Rooted in Hope Launch Event
    Kin: Rooted in Hope Launch Event
    Thu, Sep 21
    MLK Jr Library
    Sep 21, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
    MLK Jr Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 21, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
    MLK Jr Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    We're hosting the release of Carole Boston Weatherford's new middle-grade novel, Kin: Rooted in Hope! Carole will be in conversation with her son and illustrator, Jeffery Boston Weatherford, and author Leah Henderson!
  • Walter Rodney: What They Don't Want You To Know
    Walter Rodney: What They Don't Want You To Know
    Wed, Sep 20
    Sankofa Video & Books
    Sep 20, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 20, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    ‘Walter Rodney: What they don’t Want you to Know’ is an original 72-minute documentary featuring a murder, Cold War conspiracies, Black Power, the end of the Empire, and how that connects to the policing, surveillance practices, and social movements of today.
  • What Start Bad a Mornin': Launch Event
    What Start Bad a Mornin': Launch Event
    Tue, Sep 19
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Sep 19, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 19, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    We're hosting Carol Mitchell for the release of her debut title What Start Bad a Mornin'!
  • My Friend Fela Filmscreening and Q&A with Director Joel Zito Araújo
    My Friend Fela Filmscreening and Q&A with Director Joel Zito Araújo
    Sun, Sep 17
    Sankofa Video & Books
    Sep 17, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 17, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a screening and discussion of Joel Zito Araújo's "My Friend Fela" !
  • Better Together Book Tour ft. Shatara Clark, Candace Writes, and Ashley Monique
    Better Together Book Tour ft. Shatara Clark, Candace Writes, and Ashley Monique
    Sat, Sep 16
    Sankofa Video & Books
    Sep 16, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 16, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join Sankofa and the Better Together Book Tour for a morning of inspiration!
  • Remedies for Disappearing: Alexa Patrick  in conversation with Diamond Sharp
    Remedies for Disappearing: Alexa Patrick  in conversation with Diamond Sharp
    Wed, Sep 06
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Sep 06, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Sep 06, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a book discussion on Remedies for Disappearing by Alexa Patrick in conversation with Diamond Sharp!

New Arrivals

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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 PetworthU StreetColumbia Heights and Shaw-Howard are located approximately .8 miles away. 70 & 79 buses offer convenient stops nearby.

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