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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.
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.
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.
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.
Kente Cloth Officially Protected as Ghana’s Cultural Crown Jewel
Kente Cloth Officially Protected as Ghana’s Cultural Crown Jewel Kente Cloth Officially Protected as Ghana’s Cultural Crown Jewel At Sankofa Travels with Kofi, we believe that understanding culture means honoring its origins — the people, the places, and the stories behind every symbol. That’s why Ghana’s latest cultural milestone is worth celebrating. The government has officially granted Kente cloth Geographical Indication (GI) status, meaning that only cloth woven in Ghana can be legally recognized and sold as authentic Kente. This isn’t just a bureaucratic win; it’s a triumph of heritage, pride, and protection for one of Africa’s most powerful cultural icons. Kente is more than a pattern of bright colors and geometric shapes. It’s a language of its own — one that speaks of ancestry, leadership, unity, and resilience. The threads are handwoven with meaning, each design carrying stories that have been passed down through generations. Now, with its GI protection, Ghana has ensured that these stories remain rooted where they began. The designation, announced at La-Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization, follows years of effort from Ghana’s cultural and creative arts leaders. It builds on an earlier honor: Kente’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage. Together, these recognitions cement Kente’s place not only in history books but in the global consciousness as an authentic expression of Ghanaian identity. For local artisans, this protection is about survival and dignity. Weavers from Bonwire and Adanwomase — the ancestral homes of Kente — have long seen their artistry replicated in cheap knockoffs abroad. GI status helps preserve the value of their work, ensuring that when someone wears Kente, they’re not just wearing a fabric but supporting the living heritage of the people who create it. This recognition also underscores Ghana’s growing role in shaping global cultural diplomacy. Just as Champagne represents France or Tequila represents Mexico, Kente now officially represents Ghana — a nation whose creativity and craftsmanship continue to inspire the world. It’s a statement that African culture deserves the same legal respect and global acknowledgment as any other. Still, much of the work ahead lies in implementation: enforcing the standards, raising awareness among buyers, and supporting small-scale weavers to thrive within this new framework. But for now, the moment is one of celebration — a victory woven from threads of persistence and pride. At Sankofa Travels with Kofi, we invite travelers to experience this heritage firsthand. During our cultural tours, guests can visit Kente weaving villages, meet the artisans who keep these traditions alive, and even learn to weave a small piece of cloth themselves. Standing beside the looms, hearing the rhythmic clack of the shuttles, and watching colors come to life thread by thread is a reminder that culture isn’t static — it’s living, breathing, and beautiful. Kente’s new legal recognition reminds us that heritage is something worth protecting, not just remembering. It’s a powerful affirmation of identity — and an invitation for the world to learn, connect, and celebrate responsibly.
Building Bridges, Not Just Snapchats: Why Youth Cultural Exchanges Matter
Connecting Youth Across Continents Let’s be real: teenagers today can FaceTime a friend across the ocean in 2.5 seconds, but ask them where Ghana is on a map and you’ll probably get a nervous laugh and a quick Google search. That’s why youth cultural exchange programs — like the ones we’re building at Sankofa Travels with Kofi — are so important. They go beyond screen time and give young people real-life experiences that connect them to history, culture, and each other. Why Cultural Exchanges? Sure, memes are funny, but imagine a young person from Petersburg, Virginia learning how to drum with a Ghanaian master in Accra, or a student from Ghana tasting their first Chick-fil-A sandwich and wondering if Americans put pickles on everything. That’s the magic of exchange — it’s not just travel, it’s transformative education. Global Perspective: Youth see that life exists outside of their neighborhood, TikTok feed, or sneaker drop calendar. Cultural Pride: African American youth connect directly to their roots in West Africa — and Ghanaian youth get to see how their culture has influenced hip hop, fashion, and even the way we dance at cookouts. Friendships That Last: WhatsApp groups might start with “lol what time is it there??” but turn into lifelong bonds. Why Now More Than Ever We’re living in a time where division, stereotypes, and misinformation travel faster than Wi-Fi. Programs like our virtual cultural exchanges (monthly meetups online with students in both countries) and annual trips to Ghana are the antidote. They replace hashtags with human connection, and likes with lived experiences. And let’s not forget — when young people learn about heritage travel, diaspora connections, and the shared history between Africa and America, they become ambassadors for unity and future leaders in their communities. What’s Next? At Sankofa Travels, we’re not just planning vacations — we’re creating pipelines of knowledge. Our youth exchange program is designed to: Host monthly virtual exchanges with students in Ghana and the U.S. Organize immersive cultural tours where American youth visit Ghana, and Ghanaian youth visit the U.S. Build connections through music, food, art, and storytelling (because nothing bonds people faster than arguing about whose jollof rice is better). How You Can Help We can’t do this without support from our community. Here’s how you can get involved: Donate to help sponsor a student’s travel → Donate Page. Partner with us if your school or youth program wants to join. Volunteer your time, knowledge, or network to help us expand. This isn’t just a trip — it’s a movement. Because when we connect youth across the African diaspora, we’re not only preserving history — we’re making the future brighter (and way more fun).
