Sankofa ECO-Group
Supporting the Black community's aging journey
The Sankofa ECO-Group is a community outreach, engagement, and mobilization created to center and empower Black Elders to identify and advocate for community solutions to address health disparities in their lives, families, neighborhoods, and communities and to develop the Black Eldering Bill of Rights, a community manifesto for the care and belonging of Black elders in Los Angeles County. The project is a collaboration between California Black Women’s Health Project and Sistahs Aging With Grace & Elegance and is funded by the SCAN Foundation Advancing Equity in Aging initiative in collaboration with the California Health Care Foundation and the Metta Fund. The Sankofa ECO-Group is driven by an intergenerational group of Sankofa Elders Ambassadors, Black elders, and community members who are committed and passionate health equity and the well-being of Black elders.
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Support Partner Acknowledgement
California Black Women’s Health Project and Sistahs Aging with Grace & Elegance are extremely grateful to Raymond A. Jetson-Chief Catalyst for Aging While Black (awB) for serving as a strategic consultant and early thought partner for the launch of the Sankofa Elders Project
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awB is a transformative movement dedicated to improving the aging experience for Black elders through three pillars: Recalibrate the Village, Embrace Innovation, and Lean into Sankofa. These pillars address the unique opportunities and challenges Black elders face through community empowerment, technological integration, and cultural preservation. Please learn more about awB here.
Sankofa Elders Ambassadors
Activists Organizing For Health Equity and the Well-being of Black Elders
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What is the Black Eldering Bill of Rights?
The Black Eldering Bill of Rights is a community-driven manifesto aimed at addressing the systemic health and social inequities faced by Black elders in Los Angeles County. Created by the Sankofa Elders Ambassadors through the Sankofa Elders Project, the Bill seeks to empower Black elders and community members to advocate for solutions that improve their access to healthcare, housing, income and elder care. The Black Eldering Bill of Rights addresses the unique challenges Black seniors face, including higher rates of housing insecurity, chronic illnesses and inadequate community resources, all of which are compounded by historical racism and limited access to quality care.
The Black Eldering Bill of Rights emphasizes the importance of aging in place, where Black elders can live independently and safely in their homes and communities. It calls for equitable healthcare, culturally reflective services and financial and social support systems that help Black elders to thrive. By uplifting the voices of Black elders, the Sankofa Bill of Rights aims to dismantle systemic barriers, ensuring that Black seniors receive the care, dignity and respect they deserve while fostering a more just, inclusive society.
The Black Eldering Bill of Rights will be released in May 2025.
The Black Eldering Bill of Rights emphasizes the importance of aging in place, where Black elders can live independently and safely in their homes and communities. It calls for equitable healthcare, culturally reflective services and financial and social support systems that help Black elders to thrive. By uplifting the voices of Black elders, the Sankofa Bill of Rights aims to dismantle systemic barriers, ensuring that Black seniors receive the care, dignity and respect they deserve while fostering a more just, inclusive society.
The Black Eldering Bill of Rights will be released in May 2025.
Recent Updates
MORE THAN
INDIVIDUALS HAVE ATTENDED OUR SANKOFA ELDERS CONVENINGS, ACTIVATIONS AND CELEBRATIONS
WE'VE ORGANIZED MORE THAN
CONVENINGS FOR THE SANFOKA ELDERS PROJECT
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Documenting the ideas, experiences and lives of Black elders through illustrated stories, photos and videos is vital for the Sankofa Elders Project as it helps preserve the ambassadors' cultural wisdom, amplifies their voices and empowers them to advocate for solutions to health and social disparities, injustices and inequities. Using visual storytelling makes complex issues more accessible and impactful, while also sparking intergenerational dialogue and activism. This documentation is crucial for both the project and the broader movement to create a more inclusive and equitable society. |
Christopher Fuller, Griot's Eye website: https://www.griotseye.com/
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Ways to support the Sankofa ECO-Group
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- Partner: Partnering with us amplifies the impact of our work. Collaborate with us to create tailored initiatives, events or campaigns that address the unique needs of the Black community's aging journey.
- Volunteer: Join our dedicated team of volunteers and actively participate in the mission to enhance the well-being of Black elders. Your time, skills and passion can make a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve.
- Sponsor: Become a sponsor and align your brand with our commitment to supporting healthy aging. Sponsorship opportunities provide visibility, engagement and the chance to be part of a vital movement promoting well-being and empowerment.
- Donate: Your generous donations directly contribute to our programs and initiatives aimed at supporting the healthy aging of the Black community. Every contribution helps us provide essential resources, advocacy and community-building efforts.
Learn More about California Black Women's Health Project and Sistahs Aging with Grace & Elegance
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