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March 2024 by Amari E.
Sankofa is my go to bookstore and cafe to sit and do work after a day of classes on campus at Howard University. They serve great food and smoothies! My favorite sandwich to get is the Larry Clark as it is a perfect balance of healthy vegetables and protein. In reference to smoothies, I mostly enjoy the berry blast and the green juice smoothie. The actual bookstore has a very African vibe, with African jewlry and fabrics, and African history books. Sometimes it may be a little difficult to study without headphones because of the music they play, but it is still an amazing vibe to socialize and connect with your roots if you are from African descent. During the springttime, they have outdoor seating that is perfect for soaking up the sun and also doing work in your freetime. They have wifi for customers, but you have to ask for the password to access it. Sometimes the wifi can be a little fidgety, but most of the time it is easily accessible and fast.
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March 2024 by Anya R.
This was my very first time going to Sankofa. I met up with a friend and we had lunch. She insisted that I tried the salmon melt, I am not a salmon, melt kind of girl, I'm more of a turkey or club. However, since she insisted, I tried it. I did for it to be spicy so they added jalapeños and some of their own spices and let me tell you it was amazing. Ask them for the spicy melt, TRUST ME ON THIS! Everyone was extremely nice and very helpful although I knew I was getting the salmon melt when I went to order I had some questions about the menu and they were answered.
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December 2023 by Reine
Warm, welcoming, Afro-Centric video, bookstore and cafe. There’s also a little performance stage. The cafe serves an excellently strong mocha.
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December 2023 by Cisco
I have came here four days in a row for breakfast and coffee, every single time they didn’t fail to impress. The food reminds me of a quality, home-cooked breakfast made with care. I recommend getting the scrambled eggs and asking for it on ciabatta as a sandwich 10 out of 10.
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November 2023 by Chavon Onumah
Sankofa is a whole vibe. Amazing, friendly service from the cafe to book store counter - they make you feel like family. Coffee, smoothies and food are also really good - the ful is everything! They keep old, new, rare, famous and little known authors’ books and everything in between. I love the community events hosted there but even on a random day you never know who you will connect with. Today, my family and I chatted it up with a renowned photographer Roy Lewis who has captured the likes of Audre Lorde, Alice Walker, Gwendolyn Brooks, Nikki Giovanni, Muhammad Ali and more and low and behold, found out he had also photographed my aunt, a prominent West African Dancer and teacher, in Chicago in the 60s and he even had a book with her on the cover. It doesn’t get much better than that!
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October 2023 by Brittnee King
With the atmosphere, staff, book selection, cafe with vegan options, and outdoor patios, I thoroughly enjoy my visits here. I look forward to going back every time I finish a book. See y'all soon!
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August 2023 by PaleMantis
The customer service in the cafe is very bad and unprofessional. The staff is rude and they will have you standing there forever. Don’t bother wasting your money on the low quality overpriced food. I would only go there for their okay selection of books. I would highly recommend Solid State Books instead they are also Black-owned. Solid State Books has a much wider selection and they are less Hotepy and very professional.
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August 2023 by I SLAY ALL DAY TRAVEL The Solo Traveler
Excellent palace for a collection ofbooks in all things black to spread knowledge and bring awareness!!!
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August 2023 by Grace B.
I loooove a bookstore/cafe combo! The staff is incredibly nice and they have so much seating for enjoying a drink and pastry! I went on independent bookstore day and while their selection is small, it's unique from all other bookstores in DC! If you're up in the Petworth area, definitely check it out.
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August 2023 by Kim McNamara
What a great bookstore! The staff were super helpful and very knowledgeable. I had a smoothie at the cafe and it was super yummy. I can't wait to go back!
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July 2023 by David Jr.
Great experience the books are awesome. The venue is great for reading , doing computer work, just chilling. Also venues, the get together for Juneteenth was cool many talented people in area with great VIBES!
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July 2023 by Tabota Seyon
This quaint coffee shop was definitely unexpected. Lots to see relaxed environment good coffee good treats. Unique books and gifts available for purchase I made sure I bought a couple of things to take home to my family
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July 2023 by J C
Absolutely the best book store in town! They have the kindest most laid back staff and an excellent selection!
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July 2023 by Khazmik Ausar
Sankofa bookstore is an amazing bookstore. It has all of the classic books as well as new books revealing hidden knowledge and secrets about black history and culture. The staff is amazing and wonderful, and the food is excellent.
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June 2023 by HumanFairy
Wonderful bookstore, cafe. It has all the vibrations you want in a book store and it’s a major pillar in the Black community. Go and support. My boyfriend got us 2 books on the Nation of God and Earths. They also have tarot decks.
