LEARNING FROM WHERE WE COME FROM

A Trip to Ghana

Some things are different when you read about them in a book.

Standing in the places connected to that history can make it feel real in a completely different way.

Time in Ghana deepens understanding of African history and strengthens connection to the people, places, and stories that came before us. This is the exact kind of experience we envision for RootWorks participants.

MORE THAN A TRIP

RootWorks Sankofa Travels

RootWorks founder, Tamika Williams, traveled to Ghana in 2024. Based on her research during the trip, her interest in positive Black identity development and the importance of helping people of African descent deepen their understanding of African history and culture, it was evident that young people should experience this learning firsthand.

Sankofa is a word and concept that comes from the Twi language of the Akan tribe of Ghana. The literal translation of the word Sankofa is “go back and get it”. This concept has been used by Black people throughout the African diaspora to signify a path to restoration and the reclaiming of lost heritage. It is about agency and empowerment for a people who have been oppressed and denied access to knowledge of themselves and their history.

History can feel different when you can stand where it happened. Therefore, it is our goal to facilitate Sankofa experiences for RootWorks participants.

Places That Made the History Real

  • The Last Bath

    The “last bath” at Assin Manso was one of the experiences participants remembered most strongly. The site became a powerful reminder of the people who were forced through a river before being taken to the coast and transported across the Atlantic.

  • The Slave Castles

    Visiting the Cape Coast & Elmina castles gave participants the opportunity to physically experience places connected to the history of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. The dungeons were described as especially powerful and emotional.

  • The Door of No Return

    The group encountered places that carried the weight of the history of enslavement and the journeys forced upon African people. For participants, being physically present in these spaces made the history feel closer and more personal.

FROM OUR EXPERIENCE TO THE NEXT GENERATION

A Ghana Experience for Young People

Participants felt that young people could benefit from traveling to Ghana and experiencing African history and culture firsthand. That's where RootWorks sees an opportunity.

We are exploring the possibility of creating a cultural learning experience in Ghana for students; one that combines preparation before the trip with opportunities to learn, explore, and connect while there. The goal isn't simply to take students to Africa. It's to help them understand what they're seeing, connect it to what they've learned, and return home with a deeper understanding of their history, culture, and identity.

If you’re interested in supporting our student experience, feel free to contact us.

“If our young people… Black African Americans, would just go to Africa, I believe they’ll be just changed people.”
- Gladys, Ghana trip participant

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