Sankofa Sisters Rising
Reaching Back. Moving Forward.
Rising Together.
Empowering Women Across the African Diaspora
At Sankofa Sisters Rising, we believe that when women are empowered, families thrive, communities flourish, and generations are transformed. Rooted in the African principle of Sankofa, we honor our heritage while creating pathways for leadership, wellness, financial empowerment, and lasting impact.
We Are Rooted in Heritage. Fueled by Purpose. Committed to Legacy.
How We Began
Born From a Circle
of Necessity
Sankofa Sisters Rising was born in 2019 from a living room circle of seven Black women who were exhausted — by systems that ignored them, by grief they had no language for, and by the loneliness of carrying ancestral pain without community.
What began as a weekly gathering became a movement. Word spread. More sisters came. The circle grew. And with it, a shared understanding: Black women need spaces that are not just safe, but sacred.
Today, Sankofa Sisters Rising serves hundreds of women across the country through healing circles, leadership programs, mentorship, and community events — all grounded in the Akan principle that we must look back to move forward.
The Philosophy
What Is Sankofa?
Sankofa is an Akan word from Ghana meaning "it is not wrong to go back and fetch what you forgot." It is symbolized by a bird flying forward while its head is turned back — carrying an egg (the future) in its beak.
For us, Sankofa is not nostalgia. It is strategy. It is the radical act of reclaiming our history, our healing practices, our languages, and our power — so that we can build a future worthy of our ancestors' sacrifices.
"We do not forget where we come from. We carry it forward as our greatest strength."
What We Stand On
Our Values
Sankofa
Return & Retrieve
We honor the wisdom of looking back — understanding our history, our wounds, and our triumphs — as the foundation for moving forward with clarity and purpose.
Ubuntu
I Am Because We Are
Our individual healing is inseparable from our collective liberation. We rise together, hold each other, and recognize that our strength is multiplied in community.
Asase Ye Duru
The Earth Has Weight
We are rooted — in our ancestors, our stories, our land, and our bodies. We do not float above our pain; we ground ourselves in it and transform it.
Nyame Biribi Wo Soro
God Is in the Heavens
We believe in the divine potential within every Black woman. Our programs are designed to awaken, affirm, and amplify the sacred power that already lives inside you.
The Sisterhood Behind the Movement
Our Leadership
Yo-tha Grant Smith
Founder & Executive Director
With over 20 years of experience as a Client Service Executive in banking, customer service, healthcare administration, and community engagement, Yo-tha has dedicated her career to helping others navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
Latonya Luter
Director of Programs
A certified trauma-informed facilitator and somatic practitioner, Latonya designs and leads our healing circles, workshops, and mentorship curriculum — bridging ancestral wisdom with contemporary healing.
Tyeka Grant
Director of Community & Service
A connector and advocate for Black women's joy, Tyeka oversees community programming, outreach, and the cultivation of our sisterhood network through grassroots organizing and cultural celebration.
Crystal Hills
Director of Cultural Engagement & Events
A dynamic cultural curator and event architect, Crystal brings the spirit of the sisterhood to life through intentional, transformative gatherings that honor our heritage and ignite collective power.
Co-Founder
Coming Soon
Director of Youth Engagement
Coming Soon
Director of Treasury
Coming Soon
Marketing Director
Coming Soon
Ready to Join the Sisterhood?
Explore our programs, attend a circle, or simply reach out. The door is open.