"Reclaiming our past, reading for our future."
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Frederick Douglass

Founded in 2020 by educator and literacy advocate Tiffany Thomas, Sankofa Essential Books curates the most essential new and used works in African American history, culture, literature, and thought. We serve readers of all ages — from young learners discovering their first heroes to lifelong scholars of Black excellence.
We honor the spirit of Sankofa — “go back and reclaim it” — by offering books that uplift our past, empower our present, and inspire our future. Every title we carry reflects our belief that literacy opens doors, culture builds confidence, and knowledge sustains community.
Our collection includes literary fiction, non-fiction, children’s and young adult literature, poetry, biographies, and works by both legendary and contemporary voices. Whether you're building your personal library, supporting a young reader, or seeking deeper cultural understanding, we are here to guide your journey.
Sankofa Essential Books is more than a bookstore — it is a movement for literacy, culture, and empowerment.

Sankofa comes from the Twi language of the Akan people of Ghana.
It is formed from three parts:
Together, Sankofa teaches us:
Go back and reclaim what has been lost or forgotten, so we can move forward with wisdom and purpose.
It reminds us that our future becomes stronger when we honor and learn from our past. By returning to our roots, we gather the lessons, traditions, and stories that guide us toward a better tomorrow.
Reading is a family journey — and we’re here to make it joyful, affordable, and culturally rich.
We offer custom-curated book bundles for every age and reading level, designed to help families learn, grow, and connect together. From picture books and early readers to young adult and adult titles, each bundle is hand-selected to inspire pride, spark curiosity, and nurture a love for reading in every home.
📚 Build your family library with intention and heritage.
Books bring people together — and we make that experience simple and meaningful.
Whether you're starting a new club or nurturing a long-standing reading circle, we provide:
From church groups to school clubs to community circles, we help you create stress-free, engaging, and culturally enriching book club experiences.
🤝 Read together. Learn together. Grow together.
We believe literacy is community work.
Through partnerships and on-the-ground events, we bring books and cultural learning directly to our community through:
Our outreach efforts ensure access, representation, and reading pride for every child and family we serve.
🌱 Because when we uplift our community, we all rise.
Sankofa Essential Books, LLC
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