History

The Name

The word SANKOFA is a word coined in Akan, the ruling language of the Ashanti Empire and now the most important language of Ghana. SANKOFA is derived from the words SAN (Return), KO (go), FA (look, seek and take). It symbolizes the Akan’s quest for knowledge with the implication that the quest is based on critical examination and intelligent and patient investigation.

The symbol is based on a mythical bird that flies forward with its head turned backwards.  This reflects the Akan belief that the past serves as a guide for planning the future, or the wisdom in learning from the past in building the future.  The Akans believe that there must be movement with times but as the forward march proceeds, the gems must be picked from behind and carried forward on the march.  In the Akan military system, the symbol signified the rear guard, the section on which the survival of the village and the defense of its heritage depends. 

How We Started

Annetta Wilson, Founder/Executive Director of Sankofa, recognized the importance of looking back to move the village forward.  She created Sankofa with the intention of using the knowledge and wisdom of the past to strengthen the village for the future.  Through the implementation of prevention strategies, Sankofa’s mission is to keep families together by strengthening them.  The following is a short history of how Sankofa began.

In the mid 1990's, the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (IDCFS) had over 50,000 children under its auspices.  In 1999, 40% of all net intakes to IDCFS in Illinois came from two Chicago community areas.  These communities were Lawndale and Austin, which are part of the 7th Congressional District, under the jurisdiction of Congressman Danny K. Davis.  In order to stem the tide of this influx of children into IDCFS, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), which was founded in 1935 by the noted educator and human rights activist, Mary McLeod Bethune got busy.  The National Council of Negro Women is the nation’s broadest based organization of African American Women.  Dr. Bethune galvanized not-for-profit national and service organizations in 1955 to “Leave No One Behind.  Being a zealous advocate, Ms. Wilson, president of NCNW—Chicago Midwest Section, recruited and worked with Margaret A. Davis, Executive Director of the Healthcare Consortium of Illinois, to provide the 7^th Congressional District of the United States, Congressman Danny K. Davis, with the information he needed to focus greater attention on the needs of the district, especially in the arena of child welfare.

In response, Congressman Davis convened a town hall meeting on adoption, placement and parental rights on June 18, 1999 to comprehend the child welfare phenomenon.  This was the first town hall meeting in history called by a United States Congressman in Illinois on child welfare issues.  Attendees were village representatives, leaders, and administrators.  As a result 38 recommendations were proposed and thus was the birth of Sankofa. 

What We Believe

1. We believe that “No one should be left behind”

2. We believe that “We must look back to go forward”

3. We believe that we can empower people to be self-sufficient

4. We believe that we can develop Train the Trainer African Centered Family Practice approaches to address issues that affect our community

5. We believe in the African centered approach to effect self-determination as a people through education, training, preparation and advocacy

6. We believe in organizing through collective work and responsibility

7. We believe in law abiding, Roberts Rules of order, democracy, By- Laws, etc.