Sankofa Academy’s Mission is to promote challenging educational experiences which will enable all students to become productive members of society. We are comitted to supporting the development and implementation of comprehensive innovative programs, that maximizes students potential as they develop their critical thinking skills.
Sankofa’s vision is to create life long learners and nation builders who can be effective leaders of tomorrow.
On March 22, we visited Stuyvesant Heights Senior Center to celebrate women’s history with the seniors.
The children recited the states, the nations, as well as the Ancestor’s pledge.
Queen Mother McClean performed a monologue as Harriet Tubman, there was poetry read and good food eaten. We all had a very good time.
The older children served the elders and their classmates, and Young Sister Jendaya choreographed and performed a dance.
Recently, I received an email about how racism can affect our society. However when you have Africa inside you, the restrictions society imposes does not stop you from fighting the good fight.
Enjoy this story as much as I did and share it with your children, co workers, enemies, families and strangers. This is but one of millions of stories I am sure.
After helping Zack with his most recent Monday presentation, I drowned myself with material on Dr. John Henrick Clarke. There was a reoccuring sentiment from multiple interviews and lectures he gave that I believe we need to remember as we go throughout our day.
To drive home the intrinsic difference between African culture and American culture he would say
“… when we did not have a word for jail, because no one had ever gone to one nor did we have a word for orphanage because no one had ever thrown away children, neither a word for nursing homes or old people’s home because no one ever threw away grandpa or grandma.”
We have to remember we are Africans in America and not African American. We need to remember what we were forced to forget
One of the challenes about helping Zack with his presentation is finding material about the topic for the week. Ten years ago there were many Black bookstores that sold books on different subjects that affected us. But to look for them is challenge.
But guess what, even though Amazon.com has alot of these books it takes a while to get them .Well I found a needle in the haystack. Its called :
Official Connection
Specializing in African American Literature
316 Livingston ST
Brooklyn, NY 11217
Tel (718) 488-0006
Fax(718) 488-1811
If you’ve found bookstores in your area besides Borders and Barnes and Nobles, please post and share. Lets keep Black economics thriving.
This Sunday the children of Sankofa International Academy performed some drumming and the devotion for the Association of Black Educators of NY general meeting. As a parent I found the meeting very enlightening. There were other presenters that were inspirational and moving. They all gave an insight on Martin Luther King Jr. the man. Among other things, we also learned about college tours and trips that will visit places that showcase us. This was an education for me especially because as a mom of a 15 year old looking forward to attending college. It gave me information that would be useful in preparing my child for the road ahead.
I was introduced yet to another group that looks to showcase the positive endeavors of black people and enlighten us about our history. In February, Black History is showcased in main stream. I even saw Madam Tussaud’s Max Museum at Times Square will be showcasing our great innovative Black entertainers. However, it is for a limited time and not all of our Black dignitaries in entertainment, politics, education, science, etc will be showcased. Yet in Maryland we do have our own Great Blacks in Wax Museum. A place for us to see ourselves as much as we please for as long as we please. That is just one of the places that Roots Revisited sponsors this year. This group also sponsors trips to see places of Fredrick Douglas, Harriet Tubman and others. In the true spirit of the Nguza Saba we need to support and visit these places for ourselves and keep the memory alive for the children and generations to come. Below is the calendar of events and the contact person of anyone interested.
Every morning at Sankofa International Academy, the wonderful Afrikan children recite their morning devotions.
*Lift Every Voice
*Swahili Prayer giving thanks
*Lord’s Prayer
*All 54 Afrikan Nations
*Ancestors Prayer
*UNIA Pledge
October 18 was the second PTA meeting at Sankofa. It was a very productive and constructive meeting! It’s always very wonderful to see parents active in their children’s lives…and Sankofa has some very active parents.
Below are some of the decisions we came to, and ideas we came up with.
Oct. 4 was the first Parent Meeting of the school year. We had a good turn out. The energy was positive and I believe that we all came out with one purpose : to do what is best for the children.
It was very refreshing to see new faces mixed in with the old and to feel a spirit of comraderie the entire night. Progress was made that night because we now have officers for the Parent Associations.
We will definitely hear more about Sankofa International Academy. SIA will no longer be Brooklyn’s best kept secret.
Yes I am very late and my apologies to all that are reading this blog.Today we are having our first Parent’s Meeting. I cant wait to see all the new faces and old faces. I am excited to hear what is in store for the scholars of Sankofa International Academy. I cant wait to see YOU there!!!!
“I will learn to recognize a slave ship when I see one. . .” What is slavery to you.
Slavery is something that has control over your life in a negative way.
After you recognize that you may be a slave to something, what actions have you taken to overcome slavery?
Free thought is one way to overcome slavery. The ability to make your own decisions. These are thoughts I wanted to write because my heart is heavy. Lets prepare our children for tomorrow. We have to give them the tools needed to navigate these troubled waters.
We must teach them to be free thinkers.
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