Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah) is an African word from the Akan tribe in Ghana. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” For Black Women United, we believe that we must “reach back to move forward” and take wisdom from our ancestors, in order to learn from the past, and thrive as a community in the future. We have named our recurring gathering the “Sankofa Series” to honour that foundation.
Ujima (oo-JEE-mah) means Collective Work and Responsibility: “to build and maintain our community together and to make our brother’s and sister’s problems, our problems and to solve them together.” We believe Black women can benefit greatly from getting involved in the community. When we make the community better for others, we also make it better for ourselves. If you would like to volunteer, fill out our Volunteer sign up form and we will be in touch shortly.
Past Events:
- The Vagina Monologues & Raise the Vibration: Black Women United teamed up with the Muslim Feminist Collective to put on an all women-of-colour presentation of the Vagina Monologues, as well as original pieces. $2300 was raised to benefit the IAAW – Institute for the Advancement of Aboriginal Women and the Young Indigenous Women’s Circle of Leadership (February 22 & 23, 2020).
- Event Social for Black Women: Social event to fight the winter blues and celebrate sisterhood with food, music, card making and henna. (November 30, 2019).
- Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony: Commemorated Black Womanhood and reflected on the ceremony’s significance to the continent and the diaspora. The coffee ceremony has been one of many ways in which Black Women have traditionally gathered in community to share their stories, successes and challenges, and strengthen the bonds of sisterhood. (March 8, 2019: International Women’s Day).
- Winter Solstice Gathering: Gathering of like-minded sisters to harness the power of creation on the longest, darkest day of the year (December 21, 2018).
- Sankofa Series: Examining the “sanitized” version of Alberta’s Black Pioneer history that you may have come across. Hear the REAL stories of what Black people endured and how this impacts the Black community today (March 25, 2018).
- The Rape of Recy Taylor – Edmonton International Women’s Fest screening: The film presents the hidden story of sexual violence in the Jim Crow South, where courageous black women fought to take back their bodies and their dignity. Recy Taylor, gang raped in 1944, spoke up and fought for justice, powering the coming Civil Rights Movement. Junetta Jamerson from Black Women United YEG was on the panel (March 7, 2018).
- Black History – the Real Talk*: Presented by Black Women United and the African Students Association at the University of Alberta. Co-hosted by Junetta Jamerson and Paul Gardener, Real Talk centres around knowledge sharing. Whether you are interested in learning Alberta’s Black history or how to navigate systems built to destroy us, this event covers it all (February 28, 2018).
- Sankofa Series: Wisdom Keepers proudly shared their cultural values and traditions, that were key to unity and success, with other Black Women at our first Sankofa Series event. They gave us many things to consider when redefining success, progress, values, interests, and principles. This is not the first time Black Women have organized! We’ve been doing it for centuries. We will re-claim the best of our practices, and build them into the foundation of Black Women United (December 3, 2017).
Rallies:
- March for Black Women YEG: sister march in solidarity with Black Women marching on Washington (September 30, 2018)
- Black Survivors & Supporters at the #MeToo Rally: Black Women United YEG attended this rally supporting the sisters who suffered harassment and workplace abuse while employed at the Africa Centre. Black Women and girls deserve to be protected from abuse and exploitation (March 10, 2018)
- March for Black Women YEG: sister march in solidarity with Black Women marching on Washington (September 30, 2017)
*NOTE: the original Black History talk was supposed to take place a week prior and presented by the office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Alberta. The day before, Junetta was informed that her honorarium was going to be halved and dictated to on how she should split it with her co-host. She was also informed that Elder Marilyn Buffalo was not able to open the event due to short notice. Junetta spoke to the Elder and the office was caught in a lie. Enough of being disrespected by these institutions that use terms like Equity and Diversity as catchphrases. Thank you to The African Students Association who showed respect and support by stepping in to present the event!