Sankofa Film Institute is headquartered in the (2714 Georgia Ave NW) building of Sankofa Video, Books and Café. Sankofa Video and Books has been part of encouraging literacy in the black community since its inception in 1997, offering books, movies and events by people of African descent. In order to increase its local impact, the bookstore is partnering with Mypheduh Film Inc. and Sankofa Institute to expand its physical space and offerings. Our DC facility wants to redesign its second floor into a state-of-the-art film production/educational facility where it will teach classes in directing, editing, acting, production and exhibit film in all IT audio/visual formats.

In addition, this transition will address the huge demand for activity space that the bookstore and café are currently unable to meet. Secondly, this new buildout will expand the offerings of both the bookstore, and the Café. The last, but most urgent development is a multi-media Sankofa Archive to preserve and protect the accumulation of a quarter of a century of film and mixed media in the collection of the founding filmmakers, Haile and Shirikiana Gerima. This current space will be upgraded to industry standards for the maximum preservation and accessibility of this historic material.

Location

Sankofa Institute recently opened a second location in Baltimore in partnership with award winning cinematographer, Bradford Young. The Institute however is determined to keep its headquarters in DC to continue its impact on the area from which it sprang. Its loyalty to its roots despite existential threats will allow it to continue to encourage literacy for all ages by raising up the rich, black literary tradition. Further, we want to headquarter the Sankofa Archive/Film Workshop in the DC community, bringing filmmakers and scholars internationally to comb through the riches of the Archive and to be trained in the skills of independent filmmaking.

Mission

The tumultuous past of people of African descent has known threats to its resilient literary tradition, creating some of the world’s most valuable visionaries. Sankofa Books and Sankofa Institute have taken seriously their responsibility to uphold, expand and contribute to this tradition for over a quarter of a century. Sankofa intentionally based itself in a black community, on a culturally and historically rich corridor. In the process, Sankofa rode the waves of economic neglect, gentrification and a biological pandemic. In order to fortify itself for the future, Sankofa must grow or be threatened with non-existence in the nation’s capital.

Economic Contribution

This project will contribute to the tax base of the city by attracting more people to the area, developing a greater DC workforce and expanding the offerings of Georgia Ave as a culturally rich corridor. The beauty of our gardenesque façade which visually interrupts the surrounding uniform architecture, invites all ages to enter, eat, read, socialize and relax. Our expanded presence will add to the walkability of the corridor and attract people to the other amenities it offers.

Dev2714

By Mypheduh Films Inc

Dev2714

Develop Sankofa building