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Honouring the Past. Inspiring the Future.

Advancing Afri-Canadian youth through culturally grounded mentorship and economic advancement.

Welcome Message

Welcome to the Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship+ Hub

Rooted in the wisdom of the past and inspired by the promise of the future, Sankofa is a community-built space where African-Canadian youth, young adults, and young parents are supported to thrive. We exist to nurture potential, strengthen identity, and create pathways to lasting opportunity.

Through mentorship, education, and economic empowerment, we help young people build confidence, careers, and businesses; support parents and families as they balance responsibilities with aspirations; and create space for mentors and leaders to give back.

Guided by African values of resilience, unity, and legacy-building, Sankofa is more than a program—it is a village, walking alongside our community to turn aspirations into action and dreams into generational success.

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🤝Our Funding Partner

Mastercard Foundation

With the generous support of the Mastercard Foundation, Sankofa's EMERGE+ Futures Initiative equips African-Canadian youth, young adults, and young parents with the mentorship, career, and entrepreneurship pathways they need to thrive.

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Funding Partner

EMERGE+ Futures Initiative

Featured

Community & Program Partners

Working with people who move the mission forward

See the full partners page →

Strategic Partner

Kidy Foundation

Strategic collaboration supporting Sankofa’s partnership ecosystem and community impact work.

Strategic Partner

Ethiocan Bridge The Gap

Strategic partner helping strengthen cross-community connection, opportunity, and support pathways.

Research Partner

Zelates Analytics

Research partner supporting insight, analysis, and evidence-led growth for Sankofa’s work.

Strategic Partner

Consortium of Education Professionals

Placeholder strategic partner entry while the final partnership materials are being finalized.

Community Partner

People to People Canada (P2P)

Youth-driven support that connects EMERGE+ participants to mentorship, mental health, and community resources across the GTA.

Media Partner

BerhanTV

Toronto-based Ethiopian-Canadian media that helps amplify Sankofa Speaks and EMERGE+ storytelling to diaspora households.

Community Partner

Covenant House Toronto

Wraparound support for youth who need housing stability, crisis care, and skills development alongside mentorship.

Program Partner

Afro-Canadian Entrepreneurs Association

Supporting Black entrepreneurship and community-based business growth.

Community Partner

Les Parents S'y Mettent

Community engagement and family support rooted in lived experience.

Social Partner

The African Canadian Social Development Council

Advocacy and social development for African Canadian communities.

Business Partner

The Canada-Africa Chamber of Business

Expanding international business connections and opportunity pathways.

Youth Partner

The Youth Village

Youth development, leadership, and mentorship support.

Our Pillars

The foundation of our mission rests on ten core pillars that uplift youth to build successful futures

Career Development, Education & Employment Readiness

Advancing education and employability among Afri-Canadian youth, young adults, and young parents through structured learning, mentorship, and job-readiness programs. This pillar provides training, guidance, and support to help participants strengthen their skills, pursue further education, and access meaningful employment opportunities that contribute to individual growth and community development.

Financial Literacy and Wealth-Building

EProviding Afri-Canadian youth and professionals with education and practical training in budgeting, saving, and responsible financial decision-making — helping participants strengthen financial stability, reduce economic vulnerability, and contribute to long-term community well-being.

Entrepreneurship and Business Growth

Promoting education and skills development in entrepreneurship by helping Afri-Canadian youth and professionals gain the knowledge, tools, and training needed to start, manage, and sustain socially responsible small enterprises—contributing to employment creation and community economic growth across Canada.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Promoting mental health awareness and emotional resilience among Afri-Canadian youth through educational workshops, mentorship, and community discussions that build coping skills, reduce stigma, and foster supportive environments for self-care and overall well-being.

Cultural Identity and Community Engagement

Advancing public education and awareness of Afri-Canadian heritage and contributions through cultural learning, dialogue, and community engagement initiatives. This pillar strengthens identity, fosters mutual understanding, and promotes inclusive participation in Canadian society by connecting cultural knowledge with civic and community life.

Family and Parental Support

Advancing family well-being through parent education and support programs that strengthen parenting skills, promote positive child development, and encourage healthy family relationships. This pillar provides culturally responsive learning and peer-support opportunities that help families create nurturing and resilient home environments.

Online Platforms and Digital Expansion

Expanding access to education and mentorship through digital platforms, podcasts, and interactive media. This pillar enhances public learning, outreach, and community connection by using technology to share knowledge, highlight success stories, and foster inclusive participation among Afri-Canadian youth and families across Canada.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Assessment

Strengthening accountability and program effectiveness through continuous learning and evidence-based evaluation. This pillar promotes reflective practice, data-driven improvement, and transparent reporting to ensure that programs consistently advance education, community well-being, and measurable public benefit.

Civic Education & Leadership Development

Advancing Afri-Canadian youth participation in leadership and policy dialogue by providing education, mentorship, and experiential learning on civic engagement, governance, and community leadership—helping participants understand public systems and contribute constructively to decision-making processes that affect their lives and communities.

Partnerships and Collaborative Impact

We expand educational and career opportunities through strategic alliances with schools, employers, and community organizations. This pillar fosters shared learning, mentorship, and experiential training that connect participants to internships, career pathways, and community service opportunities—strengthening cross-sector collaboration and advancing public benefit.

Featured Programs

Our Featured Programs

Our flagship programs designed for growth, skills development, and community building.

Learn More About Our Programs

Featured Program

NextGen Sankofa

Youth-Led Innovation • Peer-to-Peer Impact • Ongoing Cohorts

NextGen Sankofa is the Hub's newest flagship program, anchored by the Sankofa Bridge-Building Challenge — a structured pathway where high school volunteers don't just observe Sankofa's work, they build solutions to it. From peer-led cultural navigation programs to digital platforms for young women i...

All Levels

Hybrid, In-person

High school youth

Duration

Ongoing cohorts

Full program cycle

Capacity

High school youth

Youth participants

Format

Hybrid, In-person

In-person & virtual

Program Pillars

Mentorship

Innovation

Leadership

Growth

Excellence

Learn More About NextGen

Featured Program

EMERGE+ Futures Initiative

Equity • Mentorship • Enterprise • Resilience • Growth • Excellence

EMERGE+ Futures Initiative Empowerment • Mentorship • Education • Resilience • Growth • Employment From Aspiration to Action — Supporting Afri-Canadian Youth to Build Their Futures The EMERGE+ Futures Initiative, the flagship program of the Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship+ Hub, will be launched i...

All Levels, Intermediate

Hybrid, In-person

250+ youth

Duration

12 months

Full program cycle

Capacity

250+ youth

Youth participants

Format

Hybrid, In-person

In-person & virtual

Program Pillars

Equity

Enterprise

Resilience

Growth

Excellence

Mentorship

Learn More About EMERGE+

Featured Program

RISE+ Youth and Family Leadership Initiative

A follow‑up track centered on excellence, leadership, and long‑term success for EMERGE+ graduates or highly motivated youth.

**RISE+ Youth and Family Leadership Initiative ** [RISE = Resilience • Identity • Solidarity • Empowerment] The RISE+ Initiative is a flagship educational and community-development program of the Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship+ Hub, designed to support Afri-Canadian youth, young adults, and young...

Intermediate

Hybrid

250+

Duration

Leadership & Long‑term Success Track

Full program cycle

Capacity

250+

Youth participants

Format

Hybrid

In-person & virtual

Program Pillars

Equity

Mentorship

Resilience

Enterprise

Excellence

Growth

Learn More About RISE+

Featured Program

Sankofa SmartMentor 360: From Ancestral Wisdom to Digital Intelligence

A 360-degree mentorship experience—powered by human wisdom, enhanced by AI, and driven by purpose.

Sankofa _**SmartMentor 360**_ From Ancestral Wisdom to Digital Intelligence: A 360-degree mentorship experience to be powered by human wisdom, enhanced by AI, and driven by purpose. Sankofa SmartMentor 360 is the Hub’s futuristic flagship — an AI-powered mentorship ecosystem blending human wisdom ...

All Levels

Hybrid

250+ youth

Duration

A 5-Year Transformative Journey of Mentorship Ecosystem for Learning and Leadership

Full program cycle

Capacity

250+ youth

Youth participants

Format

Hybrid

In-person & virtual

Program Pillars

Mentorship

Resilience

Growth

Excellence

Learn More About Sankofa

Featured Program

Sankofa Centre for Mentorship Excellence (SCME)

A mentor cannot give what they have not first received — every credential we award is proof that someone, somewhere, was equipped to change a life.

The Sankofa Centre for Mentorship Excellence (SCME) is the Hub's certifying engine for mentor development — a four-stage credentialed pathway that turns professional goodwill into trained, trusted mentorship. Built from a founding cohort of 60 professionals — engineers, physicians, nurses, accountan...

All Levels, Working professionals

Hybrid

60+ founding mentors

Duration

Building the People Who Build the Bridge

Full program cycle

Capacity

60+ founding mentors

Youth participants

Format

Hybrid

In-person & virtual

Program Pillars

Excellence

Integrity

Heritage

Collaboration

Learn More About Sankofa

Impact & Success

Our Success Metrics

Together with other programs, we aspire to deliver the following tangible impact in our community during the coming two years, powered by dedication and shared vision.

500+

Youth, Young Adults, and Young Parents Served

Aspiring to Achieve

100+

Trained Mentors Engaged Across Canada

Aspiring to Achieve

Countries Impacted Through Virtual Exchange

Aspiring to Achieve

85%

of Participants Show Increased Opportunities & Career Readiness

Aspiring to Achieve

Sankofa Speaks

Every journey begins with knowing where you come from.

Your Story Is Your Power

A Mentorship Perspective | Sankofa Speaks

Episode 01Mentorship Series

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Join 500+ youth discovering their potential through mentorship.

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