About Sankofa

(PHOTO: RALAND HATCHETT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LOUISE GISSENDANER, CO-FOUNDER, LATOYA SMITH BOARD CHAIR)

“We must go back to reclaim our past so that we can understand why and how we came to be who we are today.”

Sankofa Fine Art Plus develops and advocates for ethnic artists and presents ethnic art as a credible and meaningful art form through community education and collaboration.

It is our goal to increase community awareness and appreciation of the rich history and tradition of “fine ethnic art” by creating opportunities that will support emerging and aspiring ethnic artists.

In addition, our goal includes developing educational and cultural events that will provide significant exposure and support of ethnic art and artists.

History. . .

Sankofa Fine Art Plus is a nonprofit community arts organization founded in 1999 by a group of art enthusiasts who shared a passion for African-American and ethnic art and artists. With an understanding of limited opportunities for ethnic art and artists in mainstream venues, Founders created Sankofa Fine Art Plus to develop opportunities that would create, educate, expose and encourage the distribution of “fine ethnic art” in the Greater Cleveland area.

Mission. . .

Sankofa Fine Art Plus is a non-profit organization dedicated to developing, educating and advocating for African Americans and other underrepresented visual artist through collaboration.

Sankofa Fine Art Plus develops and advocates for ethnic artists and presents ethnic art as a credible and meaningful art form through community education and collaboration

Purpose. . .

It is our purpose to contribute to the art and culture of the African-American community and other ethnic groups through a climate that will recognize diversity in ethnic art and its artistic expressions.

Goal. . .

It is our goal to increase community awareness and appreciation of the rich history and tradition of “fine ethnic art” by creating opportunities that will support emerging and aspiring ethnic artists. In addition, our goal includes developing educational and cultural events that will provide significant exposure and support of ethnic art and artists.

Interim Executive Director
Raland HatchettBoard of Directors – Officers
LaToya Smith, Chair
June Antoine, Vice Chair
Santonya Jones, Treasurer

Board of Directors
Donald Black Jr.
Jinida Doba
Julius Dorsey
Jack Hamilton
Simone Jones
Jan Ridgeway
Cathy Lewis-Wright
Gary Williams, Esq

Founders/Emeritus
Louise J. Gissendaner
Rose R. Harper