Black Philanthropy Month: Sankofa - Remember, Reclaim, Rise. Nneka Allen
Mide Akerewusi • August 20, 2025
Black Philanthropy Month:
Sankofa - Remember, Reclaim, Rise.
Nneka Allen
Hello Giving Black Family!
Here's another episode of The Giving Black Podcast. Today we are joined by a friend to the podcast and my Sister-Friend, Nneka Allen, Activist, Mother, Stone Catcher, Freedom Fighter, Founder and CEO of The Empathy Agency and Author of Collecting Courage.
Together we continue in our celebrations of Black Philanthropy Month (August), in honour of our theme Sankofa: Remember, Reclaim, Rise. Sister Nneka discusses the significance of Sankofa in relation to her philanthropic heritage as an Afro Indigenous woman. The spirit of Sankofa was passed on to her through her parents, across the many generations who continued the tradition of generosity:
- There's something familial, spiritual, and perpetual about Black Philanthropy expressed in Sankofa - moving forward, staying still, looking back, elevating, evolving with the times.
- We say that charity first of all begins at home. This is not an exclusionary stance, meaning we take care only of our own. It's an inclusive posture indicating that we learn most about the spirit of Sankofa, in our families, through our parents, among our relatives, through our stories, and in our communities. This empowers us to be powerful advocates for generosity outside of our homes.
- Sankofa is also unifying. It's principles can be seen and practiced across the races and the cultures of our world.
To hear more of more about Sister Nneka Allen, listen to Season One Episodes, 6, and 11 of The Giving Black Podcast.
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