The Sankofa Project has a deep and rich history that dates back to 1988, when its Founder, Baba Bruce “Olamina” Stevenson co-founder The Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective, which later came to be known as The Harambee Kollective. For nearly 35 years, the Rites of Passage has been instrumental in shaping the lives of young people locally and nationally. Mr. Stevenson also served as the National Co-Scribe for ANROPUK, the Afrikan National Rites of Passage United Kollective.
The Sankofa Project has its roots and stands on the shoulders of 35 years of African-centered Rites of Passage tradition locally and nationally. The Baltimore Rites of Passage Kollective (BROPK) was founded in 1988 by Baba Darryl “Kofi” Kennon and Baba Bruce “Olamina” Stevenson. The Kollective was strengthened by a cadre of committed men from the community: Baba Ademola, Baba Jabbar, Baba Zebulon, Baba Sokoni, Baba Rason, Baba David, Baba Chikwendu, Baba Taharka and our Elders Baba Zirikote and Baba Kenyatta. The Kollective got its start implementing Rites process for our male youth. It wasn’t long before the Men realized, we needed balance, we needed our Women to guide female youth as well. Our search didn’t last long as, Mama Nataska Hassan and Mama Rashida Forman Bey stepped into that space to develop a Rites process for our young sisters. They were joined with Mama Annie, Mama Elisheba, Mama Nzinga, Mama Erica, Mama Patti and our Elder Mama Edith Jones. And our Cultural arts team, Baba Carlos and Mama Hanon. This Kollective of Mama’s and Baba’s taught and touched thousands of children, youth and young adults in the tradition of Rites of Passage.
Baba “Olamina” Stevenson has founded The Sankofa Project to continue the legacy and tradition of African-centered Rites of Passage. Olamina also served as the National Co-Scribe for the African National Rites of Passage United Kollective (ANROPUK). ANROPUK comprised of Rites Organizations from Baltimore, Delaware, Cleveland, Columbus, Norfolk, Philadelphia, St. Louis, Chicago, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee. At its height, ANROPUK bought thousands of Youth, Mamas, Babas and Elders under one umbrella to bring collective genius and efforts to create solution-focused rites of passage models and unify Rites organization all over the country.
Olamina passionately believes, that Culture (values, morals, language, philosophy, cosmology, art, music and dance) and Traditions (rituals, practices and processes) of our rich heritage are the missing components that can heal, restore and correct the wounds and issues facing People of African Descent. He thinks the implications of both incorporation and reapplication of African educational traditions, particularly, the impact that Rites of Passage on youth will dramatically alter the declining statistics and erosion of family and community we are experiencing around the country in urban communities.
