The Indiana State Museum will celebrate Black History Month with its annual Sankofa Black Heritage Festival on Saturday, Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Frank O’Bannon Great Hall on Level 1 of the museum.
Sankofa is an Akan (Ghana, West Africa) word symbolizing the importance of looking back and learning from the past. The festival showcases art, history and culture from West African and Hoosier African-American perspectives. Performance-based arts closely align with Black History Month themes that explore the African-American experience, both past and present. African-American families, businesses, social and civic organizations, students and educators are encouraged to attend. Sankofa includes admission to the Great Hall. Museum galleries require ticket purchase.
Schedule At-a-Glance
11 a.m.
Welcome
11:15 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Performances
The day will be filled with exciting performances. The Sankofa Drum and Dance Ensemble, led by Indianapolis storyteller Khabir Shareef, will entertain the audience with the traditional dance and music of West Africa. Indy Reads, in partnership with the Indiana State Museum and Willie Miller (University Library, IUPUI), will encourage reading as a life-enriching practice during the Sankofa Community Reading Chain. There will be many other exciting performances, including a performing arts showcase by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
African-American Inventors (film)
Legacy Theater
Every day you see or use something that was invented or perfected by an African-American inventor. Learn about legends that have made a difference in our lives.
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Community Organizations Fair
Twenty-three exciting local businesses and organizations will be on hand to celebrate their missions and cultural events throughout the day. The list includes:
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (Chi Chi Omega Chapter)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Indianapolis Alumnae Chapter)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (Iota Zeta Chapter)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (Zeta Phi Chapter)
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (Indianapolis Alumni Chapter)
Jack and Jill of America, Inc., Indianapolis Chapter
Asante Children’s Theatre
Freetown Village
Black Librarians Association
Evansville African American Museum
Indiana Department of Education
PepsiCo – Frito-Lay
Indianapolis Chapter of Indiana Black Expo
IUPUI Office of Diversity
IUPUI Black Student Union
IUPUI African Student Association
Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper
Indy Reads
African American Landmarks Committee
Greater Indianapolis NAACP
National Council of Negro Women, Indianapolis
Courtney Porter (Artist)
Walter L. Hamilton-Artist
Noon to 3 p.m.
Family Arts & Crafts
Celebrate West African culture by making Adinkra, which is one of the textile arts of Ghana.
The event is free and open to the public, but does not include museum admission. For more information, please call the museum at (317) 232.1637 or visit indianamuseum.org.
This year’s festival is sponsored in part by the Arts Council of Indianapolis with support from the City of Indianapolis and Indy Reads, Inc.
