Our Story
About Sankofa
Sisters Rising
We are a movement rooted in heritage, fueled by purpose, and committed to the legacy of Black women everywhere.
Who We Are
A Sacred Community
Built by Sisters
Sankofa Sisters Rising is a community organization dedicated to empowering women of the African Diaspora through leadership development, cultural preservation, economic empowerment, and holistic wellness.
We believe that when women are empowered, families thrive, communities flourish, and generations are transformed. Our work is grounded in the African principle of Sankofa — the understanding that we must look back to move forward with wisdom, purpose, and power.
Through healing circles, leadership programs, mentorship, and community events, we create spaces where Black women can remember who they are, reclaim what was taken, and rise into their full potential.
Our Mission
What We Do
To empower women of the African Diaspora by providing transformative programs, resources, and a supportive sisterhood that fosters leadership, healing, economic independence, and cultural pride — so that every Black woman can live in her full power and pass that legacy forward.
Our Vision
What We See
A world where Black women are celebrated, supported, and equipped to lead — in their homes, their communities, and on the world stage. A future where the wounds of the past have been transformed into the wisdom of generations, and where every girl who comes after us inherits a legacy of power, not pain.
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.
Ready to Rise With Us?
Join the sisterhood. Explore our programs, attend a circle, or simply reach out. The door is always open.