Because of You: From Petersburg to Ghana

Some opportunities change how young people see the world. Others change how they see themselves.

For Ky’lajah Burks and Alysha Brotherson, graduating seniors at Petersburg High School, this upcoming journey to Ghana is both.

As Sankofa Scholars, these young women are preparing to travel across the Atlantic for a cultural heritage experience that connects them directly to history, identity, and global community. But let’s be clear—this moment didn’t happen on its own.

It happened because people chose to invest in them.

A Year of Preparation, Not Just a Trip

This journey is the result of a full year of intentional work.

Through the Sankofa Scholars Program, Ky’lajah and Alysha have engaged in cultural education, explored African history, and participated in meaningful dialogue about identity and heritage. They didn’t just learn about Ghana—they built relationships with peers there.

Now, those connections are about to become real.

They’ll walk through historic sites that carry the weight of ancestral history. They’ll experience daily life, culture, and traditions firsthand. And most importantly, they’ll meet the students they’ve been communicating with—turning conversation into connection.

That kind of experience sticks. It shapes perspective. It builds confidence.

This Is What Community Investment Looks Like

Too often, programs talk about impact in abstract terms. This isn’t abstract.

Two students from Petersburg are getting on a plane to Ghana because a community decided they should have that opportunity.

Every donation, every contribution, every show of support helped make this happen. This is what it looks like when people move beyond talking about investing in youth—and actually do it.

You didn’t just support a program.

You helped expand their worldview.

More Than Travel—It’s Transformation

For many students, opportunities like this simply aren’t accessible. Travel—especially international, culturally rooted travel—is often out of reach.

That’s exactly why Sankofa Scholars exists.

The program is designed to give students more than exposure. It gives them context. It connects them to a global identity. It helps them understand that their story doesn’t start in Petersburg—and it doesn’t end there either.

For Ky’lajah and Alysha, this trip is a milestone. But it’s also a launch point.

They’re stepping into a broader understanding of who they are and what’s possible.

Thank You for Making This Real

There’s no way to tell this story without acknowledging the people behind it.

To every donor, supporter, and partner—thank you.

You made this possible.

And because of you, this is only the beginning.

What Comes Next

Here’s the reality: there are more students ready for this experience.

More students who are curious. More students who are capable. More students who would benefit from seeing the world—and themselves—differently.

The goal now is simple: do it again, and do it bigger.

If you believe in what this represents, stay connected. Stay involved. And when the time comes, continue to support.

Because the next Ky’lajah and Alysha are already watching—and wondering if their opportunity is coming too.