Education does not happen only inside a classroom. Sometimes the best lessons begin on a city street, at a historic site or with a student’s hands in the soil.
That is the idea behind Sankofa Scholars. We want young people to understand the history of their community, examine the challenges it faces and recognize that they have the ability to help shape its future.
Over the past two weeks, the Scholars have explored Petersburg through two connected learning experiences: a historic tour of the city and visits to local farms.
Learning the Stories Behind the City
During our Petersburg history tour, the Scholars visited important locations and learned about people, businesses and events that helped shape the city.
The experience encouraged them to look beyond familiar buildings and streets. Every neighborhood has stories, but those stories can disappear when they are not documented and shared.
Photographer and historian Yvonne Simms captured images from the tour and is helping us think more deeply about how photography, oral history and family records can preserve community memory.
This work supports our Black History Preservation Project. Participating Scholars are beginning a yearlong effort focused on the historic Halifax Triangle. They plan to research the area, identify former business owners and residents, record oral and video histories and use what they learn to support a campaign for greater recognition and revitalization of the neighborhood.
The Scholars will also contribute photographs of their schools and neighborhoods to our My City, My Story project. These images will become part of a video exchange with their peers in Ghana, allowing young people in both countries to introduce one another to the places they call home.
Connecting History to the Land
The Scholars continued their learning with visits to Virginia State University’s Randolph Farm and Truth Village Foundation.
At Randolph Farm, Professor Tabatha Bugg provided a hands-on introduction to agriculture. The students learned that farming involves much more than planting crops. Agriculture connects science, technology, entrepreneurship, environmental responsibility and community health.
The experience also helped the Scholars consider larger questions:
- Where does our food come from?
- Why do some neighborhoods have fewer healthy food options?
- How can young people support local agriculture?
- What role can farming play in improving health and building community wealth?
- How can agricultural knowledge be shared between young people in Virginia and Ghana?
These questions will help guide the Scholars’ food-justice and agriculture work throughout the program year.
We are also grateful to Griffin Lounge for providing lunch and supporting another meaningful day of learning. Community partnerships like this make it possible for students to have experiences that extend beyond a traditional classroom.
Turning Learning Into Action
The Scholars are not participating in isolated field trips. Each experience is connected to a larger yearlong project.
Working groups are currently addressing:
- Black history preservation
- Youth literacy
- Student mental health
- Youth financial empowerment
- Safer walking routes
- Restorative justice and school discipline
- Food justice and agriculture
Students will research these issues, meet with professionals and public officials, collect local data, develop recommendations and complete practical service projects. Their work will continue through spring 2027 and be presented during the Sankofa Scholars Showcase in May.
The goal is not simply to tell young people about leadership. It is to give them meaningful opportunities to practice it.
Petersburg Is a Living Classroom
Petersburg’s history, neighborhoods, farms, institutions and residents all have something to teach.
When students understand where they come from, they are better prepared to decide where they want their community to go. When they meet people already doing important work, they begin to see themselves as future historians, farmers, entrepreneurs, advocates and public leaders.
Sankofa Scholars is helping young people study their community while also preparing them to serve it.
We invite local businesses, educators, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, historians and community members to support this work. You can host a Scholar visit, speak with a working group, provide expertise, sponsor a student experience or help connect the Scholars with people whose stories deserve to be preserved.
Together, we can make Petersburg a classroom—and help its young people become informed and confident leaders.
Learn more, become a partner or support Sankofa Scholars.
