Skip to content 
A Community That Believes in Our Youth: Reflections on the Sankofa Scholars End-of-Year Celebration
A Community That Believes in Our Youth: Reflections on the Sankofa Scholars End-of-Year Celebration By Kofi Annan As I reflect on our recent Sankofa Scholars End-of-Year Program, one word continues to come to mind: gratitude. What we witnessed that evening was far more than a celebration of student achievement. It was a powerful reminder that our community believes deeply in the potential of our young people and values the work we are doing together. The Sankofa Scholars Program was created to help students explore their heritage, broaden their worldview, and develop the confidence to become leaders in their communities. Throughout the year, our scholars engaged in cultural learning, leadership development, and meaningful conversations that challenged them to think critically about themselves and the world around them. The end-of-year program gave our students an opportunity to share what they learned and how they have grown. Their presentations, reflections, and accomplishments made all of us proud. But what touched me most was the overwhelming support from the community. Parents, educators, community leaders, donors, volunteers, and supporters showed up in a big way. The room was filled with encouragement, applause, and genuine enthusiasm for our scholars’ success. Every conversation, every donation, every word of encouragement reminded me that we are not doing this work alone. As someone who has spent much of my life working to create opportunities for young people, I understand that programs like Sankofa Scholars thrive when communities invest not only financially, but emotionally. Seeing so many people come together to celebrate our students affirmed that this work matters. I was especially moved by the number of people who shared stories about how important cultural education is and how much they appreciate creating opportunities for young people to connect with their heritage and the broader African diaspora. Those conversations reinforced our mission and strengthened our commitment to continue growing the program. The success of the evening belongs to everyone who has supported Sankofa Scholars throughout the year. Whether you attended an event, volunteered your time, donated resources, mentored a student, or simply helped spread the word, you played a role in making this program possible. Our scholars are the future, but they are also a reflection of what is possible when a community comes together around a shared vision. The support we received at our end-of-year celebration showed that our community is committed to investing in that future. Thank you for believing in our students. Thank you for believing in Sankofa Scholars. And thank you for helping us create opportunities that will have an impact for years to come. We look forward to building on this momentum as we prepare for another exciting year of learning, growth, and transformation. Together, we are helping our young people move forward by understanding where they come from—and that is the true spirit of Sankofa.This version is written in a warm, reflective tone that emphasizes community appreciation while highlighting the impact and mission of the Sankofa Scholars Program. “`
Food Is More Than Fuel: Why Black Health Starts With Access, Ownership, and Culture
Explore the connection between food access, culture, urban agriculture, and Black health in this powerful Sankofa Sessions conversation about food justice and community wellness.
From Vision to Movement: The Six Months of Sankofa Scholars
From Vision to Movement: The Six Months of Sankofa Scholars Over the past several months, we set out to build something meaningful for the youth and community of Petersburg—and what has happened since then has exceeded even our own expectations. In less than six months, the Sankofa Scholars Program went from an idea rooted in purpose to a growing movement powered by community support, cultural pride, and a shared belief in our young people. This year, we successfully launched the Sankofa Scholars Program with a mission to expose students to African history, culture, leadership, and global perspectives in a way that traditional education often does not. What started as a vision quickly turned into action. Because of the generosity and support of our community, we raised enough funding to send two students to Ghana this summer, giving them an opportunity that will undoubtedly change their lives forever. For many young people, international travel feels out of reach. Through Sankofa Scholars, we are working to change that reality while helping students build a stronger understanding of who they are and where they come from. But we didn’t stop there. This year also marked the launch of the first annual Sankofa Diaspora Fest, a celebration of culture, music, food, education, and connection throughout the African Diaspora. The response from the community was incredible and confirmed something we already believed deeply: people are hungry for spaces that celebrate Black culture, global connection, and collective empowerment. And this summer represents yet another milestone—we will be taking our first group of adult travelers to Ghana. Sankofa was always envisioned as more than a youth program. It is about reconnecting people of all ages to history, heritage, and possibility. What makes all of this even more meaningful is how much was accomplished in such a short amount of time. None of this happens without people showing up, donating, volunteering, sharing posts, encouraging students, attending events, and believing in the mission. We are deeply appreciative of every person who supported this work from the beginning. Every ticket purchased, every sponsorship given, every encouraging word, and every shared opportunity helped us build momentum. The foundation has officially been laid. And we’re just getting started. As we prepare for next year, our vision continues to grow. We are expanding leadership development opportunities, strengthening partnerships, connecting the Sankofa Scholars Program with the NAACP Youth Council, and creating even more pathways for young people to learn, lead, and engage with the world around them. We also invite the community to join us for the Sankofa Scholars End-of-Year Showcase on May 8th. This special event will highlight the accomplishments of our students, share reflections from our inaugural year, and provide a look ahead at what’s next for Sankofa Scholars. It’s an opportunity to celebrate the students, the families, the supporters, and the collective effort that helped turn this vision into reality. To everyone who has supported Sankofa Scholars so far: thank you for believing in this vision and investing in our future.
The UN Just Reframed Slavery as a Global Crime—Now Comes the Hard Part
The UN voted to recognize slavery as the gravest crime against humanity. Here’s what that means for reparations, global accountability, and what comes next.
Because of You: From Petersburg to Ghana
Your support made this possible. See how Sankofa Scholars are creating life-changing global experiences.
Black History Month Without Borders: Sankofa Scholars Connect Petersburg and Ghana
This February, Sankofa Scholars in Petersburg and Ghana studied each other’s history, built a shared digital timeline, and created collages honoring key figures who shaped Black liberation movements across continents.
Jesse Jackson: A Bridge Between Selma and Soweto
The passing of Reverend Jesse Jackson marks the end of a towering chapter in modern Black political history. Whether you agreed with him or not, whether you admired his presidential runs or critiqued his tactics, one thing is undeniable: he understood that the struggle of African people did not begin or end at America’s borders.
Sankofa Scholars: Month One – The Journey Begins
Month One of Sankofa Scholars launched with learning Ghana’s history, telling Petersburg’s story, and connecting students across the African diaspora.
Good News for Ghana–U.S. Travelers: Visa Appointments Just Opened — But Don’t Wait Around
Good News for Ghana–U.S. Travelers: Visa Appointments Just Opened — But Don’t Wait Around If you’ve been trying to get a visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy in Accra, there’s fresh relief — thousands of new appointment slots have just been released, and many are available right now. This isn’t a small backfill or a system glitch. The embassy intentionally expanded appointment availability to help address huge demand and to make it actually possible for applicants to schedule interviews without waiting indefinitely. This is a real opening, not a rumor or temporary system error. Why This Matters For years, Ghanaian travelers have faced long waits and heavy backlogs when applying for U.S. visas — whether for tourism, family visits, education, business, or work. Recent data shows global demand for U.S. visas has surged, with applications from Ghana tripling compared to pre-2019 levels. The result has been missed school terms, delayed business travel, and postponed family reunions. Opening these slots is a meaningful step toward easing that pressure. What’s Driving the Expansion Sharp growth in visa demand from Ghana over recent years Upcoming global travel events, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada Improved internal processes aimed at reducing wait times and preventing fraud The embassy is also emphasizing early booking, proper documentation, and avoiding unofficial intermediaries. What You Should Do Now Visit the official U.S. visa appointment portal immediately Complete the DS-160 or DS-260 forms and pay the MRV fee before booking Secure your appointment early, especially if you plan to travel during peak seasons Rely only on official U.S. Embassy information to avoid scams Bottom Line This is a rare opportunity to move past long visa backlogs and secure a timely interview. The new slots are strictly first-come, first-served, and they will not remain open for long. Waiting until flights are booked or deadlines are near will only increase cost and stress. Smart travel planning starts with locking in the right appointment. Book early. Prepare properly. Avoid shortcuts.
Sankofa Diaspora Fest: Where Culture, Community, and Purpose Meet
Sankofa Diaspora Fest: Where Culture, Community, and Purpose Meet Petersburg is about to host something special. On April 18, the Sankofa Diaspora Fest will bring together food, music, ideas, and community for a one-day cultural celebration rooted in African and African Diaspora traditions—and focused squarely on the future. This isn’t just another festival. It’s a statement. What Is Sankofa Diaspora Fest? Sankofa Diaspora Fest is a vibrant cultural festival celebrating the global Black experience—from Africa to the Caribbean to the American South. The name Sankofa comes from the Akan people of Ghana and means “go back and get it.” That idea is the heartbeat of this event: honoring where we come from so we can move forward with clarity and confidence. Expect: Live music and entertainment Food trucks and vendors representing African and Diaspora cuisines Panel discussions on culture, identity, and community leadership A Rice Cook-Off Competition Family-friendly activities and space to connect More Than a Festival—It’s an Investment Proceeds from Sankofa Diaspora Fest directly support the Sankofa Scholars Program. The Sankofa Scholars Program empowers Petersburg high school students through cultural education, global exposure, and connections with peers in Africa— particularly Ghana. When you attend the festival, you’re not just having a good time—you’re helping fund experiences that change lives. Why Petersburg? Petersburg has a deep Black history, a strong creative spirit, and a community that understands resilience. Hosting Sankofa Diaspora Fest here is intentional. This city deserves events that celebrate its people while building pathways for the next generation—bringing visibility, energy, and economic activity while centering culture instead of commercialism. Who Should Come? Families looking for meaningful, fun experiences Food lovers ready to eat their way through the Diaspora Artists, creatives, and entrepreneurs Educators, organizers, and community leaders Anyone who believes culture should educate and empower Mark Your Calendar Sankofa Diaspora Fest 📅 April 18 📍 Petersburg, Virginia 🎟️ Tickets available on Eventbrite Come for the food. Stay for the music. Leave inspired—and knowing you were part of something bigger. This is culture with purpose. This is Sankofa.
