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Sankofa Scholar Anye Jones Brings Her Ghana Experience to Petersburg City Council
Sankofa Scholar Anye Jones Brings Her Ghana Experience to Petersburg City Council Sankofa Scholar Anye Jones is taking her experience from Ghana beyond the classroom and into the heart of local government. Anye will address the Petersburg City Council to share what she learned while traveling to Ghana through the Sankofa Scholars Program. Her presentation represents more than a report about an international trip—it is an opportunity for a young Petersburg leader to explain how cultural education, global travel, and meaningful exchange can transform a student’s understanding of herself and the world. During her journey, Anye explored Ghana’s history, culture, food, music, and traditions. She visited important heritage sites, connected with Ghanaian students and community members, and experienced the deep historical relationship between Africa and the African diaspora. These lessons cannot be fully captured in a textbook. Standing in places connected to the transatlantic slave trade, engaging directly with Ghanaian culture, and building relationships with young people across the Atlantic gave Anye a personal perspective on history, identity, and global citizenship. Her City Council presentation also reflects one of the central goals of Sankofa Scholars: preparing young people to find their voices and use them. Our Scholars are not simply traveling. They are learning how to communicate, lead, serve, and advocate for their communities. Anye’s willingness to speak publicly about her experience demonstrates the confidence and sense of purpose that the program seeks to develop in every participant. Her leadership does not end with this presentation. Anye is also serving as president of the Petersburg NAACP Youth Council, where she and her fellow Scholars will help identify and address issues affecting young people in Petersburg. Through the Youth Council and the Rotary Interact Club, the Scholars will turn what they learn into advocacy and community service. Anye’s appearance before City Council is also an opportunity to thank the Petersburg community for investing in its youth. Every donor, volunteer, parent, partner, and supporter who helped make this journey possible contributed to this moment. When Petersburg students are given access to meaningful opportunities, they do more than benefit personally. They return home with new ideas, greater confidence, and a broader understanding of what is possible. We are proud of Anye for representing Sankofa Scholars and sharing her story with the Petersburg City Council. She is showing other young people that their experiences matter, their voices belong in important spaces, and they do not have to wait until adulthood to lead. To learn more about Sankofa Scholars or support future student travel and educational opportunities, visit Sankofa Travels with Kofi.
Sankofa Scholars Begins a New Year of Learning, Leadership, and Cultural Connection
Sankofa Scholars Begins a New Year of Learning, Leadership, and Cultural Connection The Sankofa Scholars Program will begin its second cohort on Saturday, Sep 12, 2026 at the Virginia State University Honors College. This new year marks another important step in our mission to help Petersburg-area youth explore their heritage, develop leadership skills, serve their community, and build meaningful connections across the African diaspora. Sankofa Scholars is more than an educational program. It is a community where young people can strengthen their sense of identity, discover the global dimensions of Black history and culture, and gain the confidence to become informed and engaged leaders. Throughout the program year, Scholars will participate in interactive lessons, cultural activities, leadership and advocacy training, community-service projects, and virtual exchanges with students in Ghana. They will also complete monthly courses through the Sankofa Scholars Online Academy. Additional opportunities include: Free participation in AfroFusion Flow Gardening and agricultural education Advocacy through the Petersburg NAACP Youth Council Community service through the Petersburg Interact Club Access to professors, campus resources, and enrichment opportunities through Virginia State University The opportunity to travel to Ghana, with a portion of the cost subsidized for selected Scholars Our first meeting will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the VSU Honors College, located at 3303 Lee Street in Petersburg. Parents and guardians are asked to remain until approximately 10:30–10:45 a.m. for a presentation about program expectations and the Ghana travel opportunity. Lunch will be provided. The Sankofa Scholars Program represents an investment in young people and in Petersburg’s future. When students understand where they come from, see themselves as part of a global community, and learn how to turn knowledge into action, they are better prepared to lead with confidence and purpose. We are excited to welcome our returning families and introduce a new group of Scholars to this growing community. The program fee is $50. Families who cannot pay immediately may contact us to make arrangements. Learn more about Sankofa Scholars or apply to join the program.
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. “`
