How the Sankofa Framework Transforms Black History Education
A new teaching tool called the Sankofa Framework is helping students engage with Black history in a deeper way. Developed by an educator for Advanced Placement African American Studies, the method can also be used in other courses featuring primary sources from Black history. Its name comes from the Akan word sankofa, meaning 'go back and fetch it'—a reminder to learn from the past while moving forward.
The framework draws inspiration from the Ghanaian poet Kofi Anyidoho's depiction of the Sankofa bird, which looks backward as it flies into the future. This symbol reflects the pursuit of Black history education, blending past and present. It was first tested in 2018 at Chicago's DuSable High School and Kenwood Academy, where teachers used it to bring African-centred pedagogy into social studies and history lessons.
The routine unfolds in four steps. First, students place a primary source in its historical context by asking who created it, why, and for whom. Next, they examine the knowledge the source conveys and form claims based on their findings. The third step pushes them to identify gaps or hidden perspectives, encouraging further research.
Finally, the framework asks students to reflect on the source's emotional weight and its potential to inspire social change. This last stage highlights the prescriptive nature of Black studies, where history is not just studied but applied. Students who used the method described it as a straightforward yet powerful way to tackle complex ideas.
The approach borrows from Afrocentric traditions, weaving in rhythms from the Black intellectual tradition. Its goal is to immerse learners in ways of knowing that centre Black experiences and voices.
The Sankofa Framework has already shown its value in classrooms, with students praising its clarity and depth. By guiding them through context, analysis, and reflection, it helps turn historical study into a tool for understanding—and shaping—the future. The method's success in Chicago schools suggests it could become a wider model for teaching Black history.
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