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Home: Welcome
Sankofa
Video· Books · Cafe
A sanctuary for Pan-African culture
since '98.
“We revolt simply because,
for many reasons,
we can no longer breathe”
– Frantz Fanon
Featured Books
Upcoming Events
Thu, Jul 17Sankofa Video, Books & CafeCelebrate creativity and mindfulness with Dream Sis! A Mindful Coloring and Activity Book by Dr. Michelle Chatman and filmmaker Sandra Rattley. This uplifting event features conversation, activities, and a joyful space honoring Black girl magic.
Mon, Jul 21Sankofa Video, Books & CafeNu Chika Enabuka is thrilled to bring "Draw Your Name" to Sankofa, a unique and engaging event that allows people to discover what their name looks like in Amharic letters (Fidel)!
Tue, Jul 22Sankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin Abegasu Shiota, Tewodros Aklilu, and Henock Temesgen for a conversation on Ethiopian Jazz: Then and Now, followed by a live performance by Admas Band!
Fri, Jul 25Sankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin us for a poetry book event featuring The Earth’s Dance of Wind and Fire and a variety of other poetry collections with author Dr. William N. Thomas IV!
Sat, Jul 26Sankofa Video, Books & CafeSankofa invites you to our second writing workshop with Mama Laini Mataka! A powerful continuation of a journey into words, wisdom, and self-expression you won’t want to miss!
Sat, Jul 26Sankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin our conversation with Kamau Franklin!A collection of essays from the Stop Cop City movement, No Cop City, No Cop World brings together gripping reports from organizers on the ground and powerful reflections from radical academics. Don't miss it!
Sun, Jul 27Sankofa Video, Books & CafeCalling all Artists in the DMV! Join Haile Gerima and Sankofa Video & Books in this space of Artistic Expression and Protest!
Thu, Jul 31Sankofa Video, Books & CafeDon’t miss the conversation on the impactful life of journalist, educator, orator, and pioneer of Black radical thought, Hubert Harrison, with Dr. Brian Kwoba and Dr. Maurice Jackson!
Fri, Aug 01Sankofa Video, Books & CafeDon't miss our discussion with author Dr. Samuel Kalibala at Sankofa!
Sat, Aug 02Sankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin us for an unforgettable experience at our Kente Weaving Workshop with Master Weaver Kwasi Asare on Watermelon Day at Sankofa! Don’t miss your chance to learn from the best!
Sat, Aug 02Sankofa Video, Books & CafeIt's Watermelon Day 2025 - Brought to you by Bomani Armah A.K.A. Baba Got Bars and happening at Sankofa!
Sat, Aug 09Sankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin us for a special book event celebrating Pursuing Alexander Pushkin, A Memoir.The event will include a reading, discussion, and time for audience questions. Don't miss it!- Thu, Aug 21Sankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin author Andre M. Perry in conversation with Jamise Harper for a powerful discussion on race, policy, and the future of Black communities!
- Sat, Aug 23Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin us for an empowering and fun evening celebrating Pretty Girl County, the latest YA novel from Prince George’s County native Lakita Wilson!- Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin us for What Happened to Riverbend? - a special advance look and community conversation centered around the film’s production, disappearance, rediscovery, and the importance of reclaiming our narratives through independent Black cinema.
- Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin us for a special presentation in honor of Patrice Lumumba’s 100th birthday, featuring Elvie Banda, Jordan Strudwick, Bousaina Ibrahim, and Batool Ibrahim, as they delve into the documentary Soundtrack to a Coup d'État, unpacking its layers, musical score, and implications
Date and time is TBDSankofa Video, Books & CafeJoin author Lawrence Jackson for a powerful conversation on the Black literary voices that reshaped America between 1934–1960. Discover the untold stories of struggle, art, and activism that defined a generation.
New Arrivals
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.
Films by The Founders
Never Miss An Event!
Our Hours
The Bookstore is open 10am - 8pm everyday.
Sankofa Cafe is now open 8am - 8pm .
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