#dev2714
Develop 2714 Georgia Ave.
Help make an impact by making a donation today towards this great undertaking by Sankofa to stay loyal to its roots and purpose in Washington, D.C.
Mypheduh Films, which houses Sankofa is excited to announce that we are expanding our physical space! This transformative project seeks to develop Sankofa’s infrastructure, accessibility, and multi-purpose spaces. Sankofa Video and Books has been part of encouraging literacy in the black community since its inception in 1997, offering books, movies, music, art, and events by and about people of African descent.
Deep Roots
Established in 1982 by Shirikiana, Haile, and sister Selome Gerima, in the basement of their home in Washington, DC, with the aim of having control over the distribution of their films.
In 1997 Mypheduh Films moved its headquarters across the street from Howard University in Washington, DC, where it continues to operate along with their production company, Negod Gwad Productions, inside of the Sankofa building.
Mypheduh Films’ new development plan will create additional event space, transitioning from standing room only to comfortable seating for all, as well as a dedicated educational area for future Sankofa Film Institute Workshop sessions, a climate controlled archival chamber, expanded space for Cafe and increased bookstore inventory.
Resilience
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.
Grand Opening. 1997 
Caribbean Day. 1997 
Caribbean Day. 1997 
Caribbean Day Georgia Ave. view from sankofa. 1998 
Sankofa Building. 1998 
Sankofa Building. 2018 
Cafe added to building bringing a healthful menu and great coffee to the neighborhood. 2008 
South view of bookstore before cafe was added to the premises. 
South view of bookstore after cafe was added. 2013 
West view of bookstore floor before sliding doors leading to the back patio replaced back window. 2013 
Live Jazz by Howard University music majors. 2015 
Happy Nappy Storytelling event after sliding doors and a new back deck were installed. 2018 
Haki madhubuti Performing at Sankofa back yard. 1997 
Founders Haile and Shirikiana hosting a grand opening event in the back yard of Sankofa building. 1997 
Construction begins for a new back deck and entrance to the building. 
Construction begins for a new back deck and entrance to the building. 
Construction begins for a new back deck and entrance to the building. 
North view of new back deck being built while Malcolm stands guard. 
Back deck and new sliding door entrance added to the Sankofa building. 
Film class by Sankofa Film Institute on the back deck at Sankofa. 2024 
East view of bookstore before expanding out to the front patio. 
Bookstore expands its space creating a larger children’s book section. 2017 
Selome Gerima at Sankofa bookstore in front of the newly expanded children’s books section 
Sankofa bookstore. 1998 
Sankofa Bookstore. 2017 
Sankofa bookstore custom floor tiles. 2008 
New ramp installed allowing the mobility impaired access to the bookstore and cafe.
Sankofa intentionally based itself in a black community, on a culturally and historically rich corridor.
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.
Continuity
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. Our current space will be upgraded to industry standards for the maximum preservation and accessibility of this historic material, allowing filmmakers and scholars internationally to comb through the riches of the Archive and to be trained in the skills of independent filmmaking.
Support Today!
Sankofa has become a liberated territory where thoughtful consideration of the past and future can take place via books, films, and programming particularly generated by and about people of African Descent. Your donation towards its expansion will allow it to continue to encourage literacy for all ages by raising up the rich, black literary tradition.