Sankofa Teach In Explores 400 Year Commemoration of Culture, History and Resistance
AINT PAUL, Minn.: Planting People Growing Justice LLC has partnered with the City of Minneapolis-ReCAST and the Minneapolis African American Heritage Museum & Gallery to present the Sankofa Teach In. The family-friendly event will explore the history of the 400 Year commemoration of Africans being brought to Jamestown, VA by the British and forced into slavery.
The two-hour Sankofa Teach In will be held Friday, Aug. 23, 2019 from 6-8 p.m. Individuals are invited to the program that will be held at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum & Gallery, located at 1256 Penn Ave. North in Minneapolis. The event will emphasize culture, resilience and healing.
Attendees will embark upon an exploration of the history of the slave trade, along with a panel discussion about the power of culture and resilience. A community healing circle will be included and the first 50 attendees will receive an autographed copy of the book "Amazing Africa: A to Z" authored by Dr. Tyner and Monica Habia.
2019 marks the 400th year anniversary of when the first enslaved Africans arrived in the United States in 1619. Dubbed 'The Year of the Return,' many African-Americans are reclaiming their heritage through journeying to Ghana, informational events, and cultural celebrations.
In the Twi language of Ghana, Sankofa (https://www.facebook.com/events/1084795548577741/) translates into the phrase 'Go back and get it.' It's also a reference to the Asante Adinkra symbol of a bird with its feet facing forward and its head looking backward. The mythical bird represents learning the wisdom of the past and using that knowledge to move forward.
"This event will be a remarkable Sankofa experience of returning home, reclaiming our rich cultural heritage and embarking on the journey of community healing," said Tyner.
