Our Work
Most systems are built like a pyramid: people at the bottom, systems and policy at the top. A top-down approach works only when the right people are at the “top”.
We’re flipping the model. We believe families and individuals should be the foundation and the focus, not just the recipients of trickle-down decisions.
Why We Exist
At Sankofa Leadership, our why is simple but urgent: to shift how human services are delivered — from systems that feel transactional and rigid to experiences that are transformational and human. We believe the most lasting change happens when families are empowered to become the coaches and leaders of their own lives, supported by practitioners who are equipped to lead with empathy, clarity, and care.
Our team is made up of professionals who have worked on the frontlines of service delivery — managing programs, leading teams, and navigating the real-world challenges of this work. We bring both lived and professional experience to everything we do, building practical tools, shaping reflective learning, and standing shoulder to shoulder with those doing the work.
Ultimately, our mission is rooted in disrupting generational poverty. We believe that when we equip both the people receiving services and those delivering them with person-centered tools and mindsets, we unlock the kind of transformation that can ripple across families, communities, and systems.
The Meaning of Sankofa
Sankofa is a word from the Akan language of Ghana. It means “go back and get it” — a call to return to what’s essential, to retrieve what was left behind in order to move forward with wisdom and purpose.
The symbol of Sankofa is often depicted as a bird reaching back to take an egg from its back — a powerful image of remembrance, responsibility, and reclamation. For us, it’s more than a concept. It’s a compass.
At Sankofa Leadership, we see reflection not as a luxury, but as a necessity — especially in systems built on urgency, scarcity, and survival. Our work invites practitioners and leaders to pause, look back, and examine how their mindset, practices, and power are shaping the experiences of those they serve.
We believe this act of returning to values, to community, to dignity, is where real transformation begins.
Sankofa reminds us that we don’t have to choose between evolution and integrity. We can do both. We can lead with courage while staying connected to care. We can serve with urgency while honoring humanity. We can shift systems by centering the people most impacted.
That’s the root of our work. And it’s the legacy we’re committed to shaping.
What We Do
Train and Coach — We offer dynamic learning experiences for individuals and teams, rooted in reflection and real-world practice Design Tools — Our toolkits and frameworks help teams build culture, support staff, and track change Support Change — We help organizations adopt and implement person-centered models that strengthen both relationships and results Foster Collaboration — We create space for cross-sector alignment and community-centered innovation
We partner with:
Human services professionals who want to shift from case management to coaching. Supervisors and program managers seeking more collaborative, supportive teams. Community organizations and agencies ready to align services around the people they serve. Leaders and teams who want to create cultures of belonging, growth, and purpose.
Wherever you are in your role, we’re here to support your person-centered journey.