“To gain knowledge for the future, demands wisdom of the past.”
💖Welcome to the Sankofa Newsletter Blog!
The word Sankofa originates from the Twi language of the Akan tribe of Ghana, West Africa. It means “go back and get it.” The Akan people believe the past and the future are eternally intertwined and any pursuit of knowledge must demonstrate this understanding.
The Sankofa Newsletter is a mini-guide to culture and news. A monthly publication that features four articles to inspire, enlighten, and stimulate intellectual curiosity. Get a free copy delivered to your email inbox today. Share, Like, Subscribe. Happy Reading! LaSheba Baker, Creator & Editor
😊*Note: Before the creation of this web blog in May 2019, the Sankofa Newsletter was sent out by an email distribution list to subscribers. I have posted a copy of the March and April 2019 newsletter archives for you all. Enjoy!
Sankofa
A Guide to Culture & News
March 1, 2019
Debut Weekend Edition:
Sankofa
The word Sankofa originates from the Twi language of the Akan tribe of Ghana, Africa. It means “go back and get it.” The Akan people believe the past and the future are eternally intertwined and any pursuit of knowledge must demonstrate this understanding.
This philosophy is symbolized by a bird with a treasured egg in its mouth, while its head is turned backwards and the feet are forward-looking. Sankofa translates to me as: to gain knowledge for the future, demands wisdom of the past. There is alot of truth and testimony in that statement. So, what does Sankofa mean to you?
Read more at Berea College:
The Power of Sankofa: Know History
The Year of Return
The Independence Arch Monument located in Accra, Ghana boldly proclaims “Freedom and Justice” and affirms the bravery of the Ghanaian people in their struggle for independence and freedom from colonization.
This same spirit is present in the invitation from President Nana Akufo-Addo to the African diaspora to make 2019 The Year of Return. He has expressed making travel visas and the “right to abode” more available to those who want to visit or move to Ghana. The country has scheduled many celebrations and activities each month of 2019 to promote this re-connection. Ghana, your next travel destination?
Read More at Essence and CNN:
Welcome Home! 5 Reasons You Won’t Want to Skip A Trip to Ghana in 2019
Ghana is being heralded as the next big tourist destination. Here’s why
Traveling Sista
Congratulations to Traveling Sista and her beau Freddie on their recent wedding! The couple tied the knot in a beautiful ceremony surrounded by the charm of Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
Traveling Sista aka Kathryn is a U.S. Navy veteran from California who moved to Tanzania, Africa two years ago. Since there, she became engaged (now married) and had her first child. The wedding video is at the end of this post. Follow her adventure on youtube and instagram!
Homegoing
The debut novel by Yaa Gyasi, Homegoing, is an inspirational and brilliantly crafted piece of true literary art. This novel begins with two half-sisters and continues onward with their descendants found on both sides of the Transatlantic slave trade- the enslaved and the colonized. Their hopes and struggles draws the reader in so well that time is easily forgotten. If you are not reading this novel already, you should be!
Read more at NPR:
Homegoing is a sprawling epic brimming with compassion
Traveling Sista
African Village Wedding, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
on YouTube
Sankofa
A Guide to Culture & News
April 5, 2019
Weekend Edition:
Black Doctors
Black Men in White Coats is an organization that focuses on inspiring black males to become physicians. Currently, there is a decline in the amount of African-American males pursuing this profession and founder Dr. Dale Okorodudu hopes to change that. He recently organized the first Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit at UT Southwestern in Dallas, Texas to promote interest and diversity in the field of medicine.
According to a study (2008) by the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) 70% of African-American doctors and dentists received degrees at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). These specific universities produce a pipeline of health-care professionals found in society. Some of these HBCUs are under financial stress and others are now closed.
So, two main take-away points are: increase recruitment of black youth to pursue medicine and maintain established college avenues that produce results. Sounds like a prescription for success. Watch the Youth Summit video at the end of this post.
Read More at Blacknews.com and NBC news:
‘Black Men in White Coats’ Are Inspiring Black Boys to Become Doctors Too!
OpEd: Next Time Your HBCU Asks For Money, Open That Wallet
Second Chance
What does it mean to be given a second chance? Is it a time for reflection, a call to purpose, or an opportunity for redemption on your journey? Perhaps, it’s all of the above. Carmen Allen Day was 17 years old when she stood before Superior Court Judge Charles Dortch for her involvement in a juvenile offense. She expressed remorse and asked the judge for leniency. He granted her petition and reduced the 18 months probation sentence to 6 months. Although the path was difficult, Carmen continued on her journey, graduated high school, and dropped out of college twice before obtaining her degree in 2015.
Today, Carmen is a wife, mother of two daughters, and a student at Rutgers University. A recent class trip to a family courtroom unexpectedly reunited her with Judge Dortch- 12 years later! They spoke and Carmen was able to thank him for his compassion. Wow, that’s some food for thought. Oh, did I mention Carmen is a law student at Rutgers, and so was Judge Dortch.
Read More at Blacknews.com:
Judge Gives Teen a Second Chance, and Now 12 Years Later — She’s Becoming a Lawyer!
Crowning Glory
Nashville, Tennessee has its first Black-Owned Beauty Supply Store, Roots Hair & Beauty, opened to large crowd of eager shoppers. The owner, Sam Tisdale was excited by the turn-out and support of the local community. The beauty supply store has two other locations in Chattanooga. The new Nashville store made $50,000 in profits on opening day! So, treat your crowning glory to a little TLC by a visit to Roots Hair & Beauty and check-out their website.
Read More at Black Business.org:
Nashville’s First Black-Owned Beauty Supply Store Brought in $50K on It’s Grand Opening Day
Color My Fro
If you are looking for a way to show off those budding art skills then Color My Fro: A Natural Hair Coloring Book for Big Hair Lovers of All Ages, is the book for you! The author, Crystal Swain-Bates, is an accomplished children’s book writer and owner of Goldest Karat Publishing Company. Her coloring book has 31 preset images that include a bride, angel, and dance star, to name a few. So get out your crayons and embrace your inner artist. Who knows, you may be the next big thing!
Read more at Amazon author page:
Black Men in White Coats Youth Summit 2019 on YouTube
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