top of page
Decorative Ornaments
African Proverbs for All Ages.jpeg
Born On The Water.jpg
9780064462099_ef3d6f6f-23cd-45cf-a8d9-d95d8af12b7a.jpeg
assata.jpg
Autobiography of Malcolm X.jpg
Ida B. The Queen.jpg

Shop the Holidays with Sankofa!
Don't forget... free shipping for orders $100 and more

son of a excerpt.jpg
transparent cookbook 2.png
son of a southern.jpg
transparent cookbook 1 (1).png
african-print-fanny-pack-assorted_edited
0001%20(1)_edited_edited_edited.png
0001_edited.png
I Am 2022 Calendar.jpeg
Kwanzaa Rookie Read.jpg
Black Gye Nyame Kinara_edited.png
Home: Welcome
_MG_0066_edited_edited.jpg

Sankofa

Video· Books · Cafe

A sanctuary for Pan-African culture
since '98.

fanon-art-sankofa_edited.jpg

“We revolt simply because,

for many reasons,

we can no longer breathe
 

– Frantz Fanon

 Featured Books

Sankofa-gift-Cards-2020-ad.jpg

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver"

 

- Maya Angelou

Upcoming Events

  • Book Launch with Gerald Horne
    Book Launch with Gerald Horne
    Sat, Feb 01
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Feb 01, 2025, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Don’t miss an enlightening discussion on Gerald Horne's powerful new book, "Armed Struggle? Panthers and Communists; Black Nationalists and Liberals in Southern California through the Sixties and Seventies', exclusively at Sankofa!
  • Book Event -   'Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love' with Dr. Thema Bryant
    Book Event -   'Matters of the Heart: Healing Your Relationship with Yourself and Those You Love' with Dr. Thema Bryant
    Sat, Feb 08
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Feb 08, 2025, 10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    We’re thrilled to host Dr. Thema Bryant for an inspiring event centered around her upcoming transformative book! Whether you're seeking personal growth, stronger relationships, or healing from past wounds, this event is an opportunity you won’t want to miss!
  • Kente Weaving Workshop
    Kente Weaving Workshop
    Sun, Feb 16
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Feb 16, 2025, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for an unforgettable experience at our Kente Weaving Workshop with Master Weaver Kwasi Asare—don’t miss your chance to learn from the best!
  • GAZA ON OUR MIND
    GAZA ON OUR MIND
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Calling all artists, poets, singers, playwrights, towncryers in the DMV! 
  • Haiti on Our Mind
    Haiti on Our Mind
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join Haile Gerima and Sankofa Video & Books in this space of Artistic Expression and Protest!
  • Film Screening: AFTER WINTER: STERLING BROWN
    Film Screening: AFTER WINTER: STERLING BROWN
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Book and Cafe
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Book and Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us 7PM Friday December 13th at Sankofa for a special screening of Haile Gerima's 1985 documentary film, followed by a discussion with filmmaker and Director, Haile Gerima
  • Baraka the Playwright
    Baraka the Playwright
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Honoring the incredible Amiri Baraka! Featuring a powerful dramatic play reading, celebrating his impactful legacy. Let’s come together to honor his contributions and the indelible mark he left.
  • TONI MORRISON and the GEOPOETICS of PLACE, RACE and BE/LONGING  with Author Dr. Marilyn Mobley
    TONI MORRISON and the GEOPOETICS of PLACE, RACE and BE/LONGING  with Author Dr. Marilyn Mobley
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Author Dr. Marilyn Mobley will be at Sankofa Friday, October 18, 7:00pm - 9:00pm!
  • Stepping Out: The Unapologetic Style of African Americans Over Fifty
    Stepping Out: The Unapologetic Style of African Americans Over Fifty
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café
    Date and time is TBD
    Sankofa Video, Books, & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us as we welcome Connie Briscoe into the space the brains behind Stepping Out: The Unapologetic Style of African Americans Over Fifty!
  • Book Launch - Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark
    Book Launch - Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark
    Sat, Jan 11
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Jan 11, 2025, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for the launch of Yvonne Clark and Her Engineering Spark with Author Allen R. Wells and Illustrator DeAndra Hodge! This inspiring children's book tells the story of a trailblazing Black woman engineer, encouraging future generations to pursue careers in STEM. Don’t miss it!
  • Film Screening - Dahomey
    Film Screening - Dahomey
    Fri, Jan 10
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Jan 10, 2025, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for an exclusive screening of Dahomey, followed by an insightful discussion with Elizabeth Ajunwa and Maleke Glee. Dive deep into history, culture, and storytelling!
  • New Year's Eve Celebration at Sankofa!
    New Year's Eve Celebration at Sankofa!
    Tue, Dec 31
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Dec 31, 2024, 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Kuumba! Enjoy a silent auction, Ethiopian dinner, and an exclusive sneak peek of Haile Gerima’s upcoming film, 'Black Lions Roman Wolves'.
  • ጤዛ (TEZA)  : Film Screening and discussion
    ጤዛ (TEZA)  : Film Screening and discussion
    Mon, Dec 23
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Dec 23, 2024, 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us 7PM Sunday, December 23, for a special screening of Haile Gerima's 2008 film, TEZA and a discussion with community
  • Free Amharic Language Classes
    Free Amharic Language Classes
    Multiple Dates
    Sun, Dec 22
    Sankofa Video & Books
    Dec 22, 2024, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM
    Sankofa Video & Books, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a free language class taught by Kamau Grimes every Sunday!
  • Love Vibrations
    Love Vibrations
    Sat, Dec 21
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Dec 21, 2024, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join us for a special performance by legendary performers Free Benjamin and Ayanna Gregory!
  • Jazz Night with David White and Edge Theory
    Jazz Night with David White and Edge Theory
    Fri, Dec 20
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Dec 20, 2024, 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Experience an evening of great music, people and vibes at Sankofa!
  • Imba Ya Amai : The Mother’s Room | Reimagining Birthing Spaces and Practices
    Imba Ya Amai : The Mother’s Room | Reimagining Birthing Spaces and Practices
    Thu, Dec 19
    Sankofa Video Books & Café
    Dec 19, 2024, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video Books & Café, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
  • Film Screening: Wilmington 10 - U.S.A. 10,000
    Film Screening: Wilmington 10 - U.S.A. 10,000
    Wed, Dec 18
    Sankofa Video, Books and Cafe
    Dec 18, 2024, 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books and Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Join the Sankofa film archive for a screening of Haile Gerima's 1978 Film "Wilmington 10 - U.S.A 10,000" Followed by a panel discussion on the importance of community archives with Haile and Shirikiana Gerima and the Archive fellows.

MISSED A LIVE EVENT?

Catch the replay at SankofaTV

Featured Past Event

All Videos

All Videos

Watch Preview

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

_2003453.jpg

Help us meet our goal to donate 1000 books and Black independent movies (DVD's) to families.  

Never Miss An Event!

Open Book

Our Hours

The Bookstore is open 10am - 8pm everyday.

Sankofa Cafe is now open  8am - 8pm .

bottom of page