Photo courtesy of The Washington Informer

Sankofa Video Bookstore & Cafe, owned by Haile & Shirikiana Gerima, is located in Washington, D.C. The founders named the location after the internationally acclaimed filmed that they produced. Sankofa translates to “go back and get it” and is symbolized by a bird that flies forward while looking back as it holds an egg in its mouth.

Sankofa was birthed from the Gerimas’ love of film. Their offerings include classic films from the pillars of black culture as well as the largest collection of children’s black literature in the D.C. area.