“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: For email subscribers, you can click the blue title at the top “Edition” to connect directly to the web blog. This may provide a better copy to read.
Happy Birthday Sankofa Newsletter! |
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Culture & News
 Pandemic & Your Health
The Coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is a health concern for many, especially for those that have pre-existing chronic conditions (which can exist as comorbidities) such as diabetes and hypertension, the immuno-compromised, and the elderly. According to the American Diabetes Association: “14.7% of American Indians/Alaskan Natives, 12.5% of Hispanics, 11.7% of non-hispanic Blacks, 9.2% of Asian-Americans, and 7.5% of non-hispanic Whites”1 have diabetes in the United States. The goal for health care with chronic conditions is to have the disease controlled, which simply means to manage the disease process in a way that sustains an individual’s life needs in collaboration with a physician’s treatment plan. This can reduce the risk of infection and often involves maintaining a healthy diet and weight, exercise regimes, regular doctor/clinic appointments, and medications.
The pandemic has also caused a significant amount of job loss and economic strain is upon the country. If you have a chronic health condition, check your local area for non-profit community support pharmacies that offer free or reduced-price prescription medications, state/federal health care programs, and clinics that service communities in need. Whether you have a chronic condition or not, it’s nothing like today to start a healthy lifestyle. Stay safe and healthy out there!
*Disclaimer: Sankofa Newsletter does not provide medical advice or treatment. Articles are for informational purposes only. Consult your physician/health care provider for any questions or concerns.
(1.) American Diabetes Association (ADA) Statistics About Diabetes Living with Comorbidities and Chronic Kidney Disease
Local Nonprofit Pharmacy Keeps Going Despite Covid-19 Barriers
Navy Medical Staff Deployed at Baton Rouge General to aid in Coronavirus Fight
Eating Well: Healthy Soul Food Recipes
Art/Film News
 Art Online
The world of art can inspire, improve mood, and promote reflective thinking in an audience. During this quarantine season we can still enjoy works of art from the comfort of our homes through the internet. Many museums have free online digital collections and interviews with artists available to the public. Consider the words of Pablo Picasso: “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break them like an artist.”
 Higher Learning
A college degree in a field of demand can increase one’s earning potential, especially for those who are incarcerated in prison. Life upon release from prison has the unique challenge of finding employment with a criminal record. The New York non-profit organization, Hudson Link, provides free college degree programs in cooperation with seven colleges to assist current inmate populations. The founder and formerly incarcerated, Sean Pica maintains a focus on rehabilitation and second chances. According to BlackNews.com “…inmates who earned a degree through the program have just a 2% chance of being re-incarcerated compared to the 43% general rate of recidivism in the state.”1
(1.) Program Allows Inmates to Earn College Degrees Behind Bars Debunking 3 Myths About Black Students-Using Data and Logic https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/02/26/debunking-myths-about-black-students-using-data-logic/
Hudson Link for Higher Education Book Review 
Reverend Ezekiella Samamaga-Eniola has been a pastor in the U.K., U.S.A., and her native land of Nigeria. She holds degrees in Divinity and Marketing/Strategic Communication. In her powerful book: The Sound of the FireBreed Generation (# Kingdom Takeover) (2019, 74 pages), she censures the modern church for its carnality and idolatry and sets forth a call for repentance, study of the Word, use of the Holy Spirit, and the power of today’s youth in the establishment of Kingdom.
Rev. Eniola writes: “The first Pentecost that the church experienced in the book of Acts set a wave of revival across the nations of the earth and unleashed a move of the spirit that no demon or government could overturn; but in every generation when it looks as if the church of Jesus falls asleep…God always raises voices to bring an awakening back to the church” (kindle location 116). This book is a spirit-filled passionate outcry for the church and a message worthy of exaltation. Happy Pentecost Observance Day!
**Side-note: See the January 2020 Edition for the book review of: Beyond Roots: In Search of Blacks in the Bible by Pastor William McKissic, Sr., who reminds the reader: “Ethiopia is the oldest Christian country on the face of the Earth…” (p.50). And “The Bible was translated from Greek to Geez, the native Ethiopian language, in the fourth and fifth centuries by Syrian and Ethiopian scholars…” (p.66).
Rev. Ezekiella Samamaga-Eniola Facebook
Got Questions: What is Pentecost Sunday?
Got Questions: Is Christanity a White Man\’s Religion?
From The Heart Church Ministries: People of Color in the Bible https://fthcmofrichmond.org/black-history-month/ Video
The Day of Pentecost
(Acts of the Apostles)
Short Film on YouTube \”And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”-Acts 2:4, KJV  |
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