The CCCADI Youth Pathways: Sankofa Young Women’s Leadership Program (SYWLP) is dedicated to offering support to young Black and Brown women, ages 14-18, as they navigate their self-transformation and lifecycle transition from adolescence to adulthood.
ABOUT
The SYWLP empowers young women to recreate, reclaim and even transform the loss of cultural values caused and exacerbated by enslavement/colonialism, and the centuries of systemic racism and discrimination that followed, by using arts and culture to spiritually connect participants back to the motherland, Africa.
Embodying Sankofa, an African term meaning, “looking back to look forward,” the SYWLP will prepare participants to address racial and social justice issues by utilizing community service to develop strong societal roles. The SYWLP aims to enhance cultural enrichment and empowerment through intergenerational mentoring, international exchange and professional development opportunities.
Through after-school educational and interactive workshops, the SYWLP will provide mentoring, master classes, internships, peer education, and guidance on project presentation over the course of eight weeks.
Program Dates & Application
Cohort III - Agojie Today: The Warrior Woman Within
The next cycle of the Sankofa Young Women’s Leadership Program will take place January 10 - March 27, 2024 on Wednesdays from 3:30 - 5:30 PM. The program begins with a virtual orientation on January 10th. All other sessions are in-person at the CCCADI Firehouse (120 E 125th Street, NY, NY).
Drawing from the teachings of the Agojie women of the Kingdom of Dahomey, SYWLP Cohort III will explore theoretical and practical lessons anchored in the belief that, “The warrior stands for the True Self within herself and others, which is the highest and best version of all of us.”
To express your interest in participating in Cohort III, fill out the application below. DEADLINE EXTENDED to December 12, 2023.
Criteria:
Young Women Grades 9 -12
Able to attend all sessions in person
Able to attend orientation
Identify as a Black or Brown Woman of Color
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1/10 - Virtual Orientation
1/17 - Week 1: Program Starts
1/24 - Week 2
1/31 - Week 3
2/7 - Week 4
2/14 - Week 5
2/21 - Community Service Day
2/24 - Week 5.2: Saturday Event
2/28 - Week 6
3/6 - Week 7
3/13 - Week 8
3/20 - Week 9
3/27 - Week 10: Culminating Event
ABOUT YOUTH PATHWAYS
The Sankofa Young Women’s Leadership Program is part of CCCADI’s Youth Pathways. An arts education program, Youth Pathways is designed to provide Black and Brown youth with space and opportunity to experience active community engagement and advocacy, cultural empowerment and enrichment, and a connection to a larger global movement. The youth are leaders of our Diasporic community and we seek to amplify their voices and vision for meaningful and impactful social change.
Funding for the Sankofa Young Women’s Leadership Program has been provided by: The Pinkerton Foundation, GrantMakers for Girls of Color, Warner Music Group/Blavatnik Family Foundation Social Justice Fund and The Hearst Foundation.