The SANKOFA International Conference, taking place on Saturday, April 4 at the Cultural Museum of African Art, is a global convening dedicated to youth leadership, cultural restoration, and collective responsibility across Africa and its worldwide diaspora. Inspired by the African principle of Sankofa—“it is not wrong to go back and get what you forgot”—the conference positions history as a vital tool for addressing present challenges and shaping sustainable futures. By uniting voices from Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, and the Sixth Region Diaspora, SANKOFA serves as a bridge between heritage, policy, and action.
A central milestone of the conference is the launch of the ONE Percent Campaign, a global initiative calling individuals, organizations, and leaders to commit just one percent of their time, talent, or resources toward youth development and social transformation. Through this campaign, SANKOFA will sponsor 300 young people worldwide into the Global Youth Council, providing access to leadership training, cultural education, travel support, and digital resources. This investment ensures that young people are not only included in conversations about the future—but are empowered to lead them.
The conference experience is intentionally designed to be immersive and educational. Participants will engage in keynote sessions, museum-based historical activations, youth-centered dialogues, and cultural storytelling that elevate African historical literacy and lived experience. A vibrant marketplace featuring African artisans, educators, wellness practitioners, and publishers—along with a silent auction—will generate sustainable funding to directly support youth sponsorships and community programs.
Beyond a single day, SANKOFA is building a long-term, accountable platform for global impact. Through coordinated film, media coverage, and a special edition publication, the conference will amplify youth voices, document outcomes, and share best practices across borders. With transparent reporting and a vision for annual convenings, SANKOFA invites NGOs, sponsors, partners, and individuals to join this movement—by sponsoring a youth, pledging to the ONE Percent Campaign, or collaborating to strengthen the future of the global African diaspora.