The last year of my undergraduate studies at the University of Washington was the best year of my college career. Reflecting on this with my friends, I realize that the pandemic took a lot from my college experience. I moved to Seattle in my sophomore year, and classes were still online for the first two quarters. My ability to grow confidence in my studies, explore opportunities, participate in organizations, and interact with people who inspire me was stifled.
In my senior year, I decided to put myself out there and get more involved with my community, which led me to intern at Sankofa Impact. I was incredibly excited about the opportunity to work with SI. When I researched the organization, I was intrigued by its unique approach to engaging with history. It was the first time I had come in contact with an organization that presented history as a shared and constant influence on our lives. This perspective, that history impacts the present in ways we often overlook, was truly eye-opening.
From the people you interact with, the names of streets and districts, which parts of town are maintained, what people and places are memorialized, and even how certain cities are talked about in everyday life– Everything has historical significance.
Sankofa Impact brings the people, stories, and places that hold so much history to life. Knowledge and understanding should not be limited to just written words and archives. Interacting with people about their experiences through mediums like art, spoken word, music, and more provides insights you can’t get by reading a book. Sankofa Impact’s emphasis on place-based learning offers an experience that allows people to connect with people and places around them. It encourages people to think critically about the places and people they meet, which is what makes Sankofa Impact’s programming so unique and memorable.
Though I haven’t had the opportunity to go on a trip with SI, the impact of their work really shined when I interacted with people who have. From the people I met at Open House or Coffee and Vinyl, to the data I helped sort as an intern, everyone expressed how SI’s Pilgrimage to the South changed how they thought about and interacted with history. The transformative effect of SI’s work on these individuals and the community at large is truly inspiring and gives me hope for the future.
The biggest lesson I’ve learned from working with SI is the concept of being an everyday activist. To me, being an everyday activist means thinking about how you interact with the world. Being aware and intentional about the places you go and the people you meet is important. You should be curious about the places you go and the people there.
After all, you can’t create lasting change if you don’t attempt to understand the experiences of people who have lived and continue to live in the places you interact with.
Outside of SI’s work, I loved meeting the wonderful human beings running the organization. They are wonderful people, and I will definitely be in contact with them for the rest of my life. They are so kind, uplifting, and inspiring, and they’ve equipped me with the courage and experience to pursue my passions. I genuinely believe in the work that they are doing and encourage anyone who can, to get in contact with SI. My experiences with them will continue to inform my future aspirations, and I’m incredibly thankful.
-Mosea Addo
