top of page
Home: Welcome
sankofa 25th aniv circle logo for web_ed
IMG_0418.jpg

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.

Screen Shot 2018-06-01 at 6_edited.png
Black lions roman wolves6.1.jpg


Black
Lions
,
Roman Wolves

Support today by making a tax-deductible donation towards final completion costs of Black Lions, Roman Wolves, the 5-part, 10-hour-plus documentary film by Haile Gerima.

Haile Gerima's
next film:

 

 Featured Books

sankofa gift card

Can't decide on a gift? How about a gift card!

(You can even schedule it ahead.)

Upcoming Events

  • 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
    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!
  • 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
    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
  • Sun, Jan 05
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe
    Jan 05, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Sankofa Video, Books & Cafe, 2714 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001, USA
    Jan 05, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    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!
  • 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
    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!
  • 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
    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!
  • 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
    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
    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
    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
    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!
Threads

Official Sankofa Apparel

New Arrivals

Join our Sustainer Program!

Would you like to help Sankofa continue to offer free or near free programming to the public?  Join our Beta Sustainer Program!  By committing a certain amount of funds to Sankofa per month, you support the enriching events that you are used to!

Frequency

One time

Weekly

Monthly

Yearly

Amount

$10.00

$25.00

$50.00

$100.00

Other

0/100

Comment (optional)

19010002.jpg

Never Miss An Event!

Open Book

Our Hours

The Bookstore is open 10am - 8pm everyday.

Sankofa Cafe is now open  8am - 10pm .

bottom of page