About Event

Sankofa is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana.

The Akan believe the past serves as a guide for planning the future; learning from the past which ensures a strong future.

"Go back and bring forward that which is useful" is also a Ghanaian proverb.

The Sankofa Awards Celebration is one of the times the Greater Boston Association of Black Social Workers, (GBABSW), takes to reflect, acknowledge and appreciate the outstanding work of Chapter member(s), community leaders and local organizations that work for the betterment of the Black community.  The Greater Boston Chapter’s Sankofa Awards Celebration applauds the work of these dedicated people who demonstrate their commitment and support to “enhancing the quality of life and empowering people of African ancestry through advocacy, human and community services delivery and understanding the adverse impacts” on the communities we serve.  GBABSW supports the mission of the National organization, NABSW and work to create a world in which people of African ancestry will live free from racial domination, economic exploitation and cultural oppression.

“The Principle of Sankofa is a fundamental feature of how we think, to live and to affirm our humanity.  We apply it not only to honor our elders and ancestors, but also because their wisdom is wealth that our young need to survive in their early years.”  

“Every elder is a manifestation of the Sankofa Principle because people value their memory as a vital source of knowledge and wisdom.  The history of our people and of each of us has been at the center of the intellectual production of each successive generation.”