Meet Abena Sankofa Imhotep
Women's History Month
Important Note: The post about Kayla Bell-Consolver, director of the Drake University Counseling Center will appear next week.
Abena Sankofa Imhotep leads a life anchored in what she loves most: family and community.
"All of the things that I am passionate about are either because of or out of love for my family, and that love extends to the community that I come from and live in."
The Des Moines native describes herself as a mother, a grandmother, and a wife.
In her professional roles, many know her as a sought after keynote speaker, author, and consultant on issues of race and equity. Additionally, she is a board member for the African American Museum of Iowa, the American Red Cross, and numerous other boards.
She insists, "I'm a family woman first."
Imhotep is the founder and executive director of the Sankofa Literary and Empowerment Group, which strives to create educational spaces where community meets culture, and history meets legacy. Under its umbrella, Imhotep established the SLG Book Club in 2018, Sankofa Strategies and Consulting in 2020, and the Sankofa Literary Academy in 2021.
For Imhotep, the nexus of her consulting work is steeped in the collective works of Black authors and Black scholarship. Through Sankofa Strategies and Consulting, she guides companies and communities through the deep and often treacherous waters of race. She helps them to wade in by creating adaptable tools and internal mechanisms to discuss race.
The SLG Book Club grew out of her support for Black authors. In 2018, she received the book Becoming by Michelle Obama. After reading it, she wanted to talk about how the book made her feel, and the idea for a book club began to take shape.
"Initially, I just wanted to have community to read with and talk to, but over time I began to realize the diversity of thought within the group. I began to think, what can I learn? What can we learn together?"
The success and impact of Imhotep's SLG Book Club in Des Moines expanded into Eastern Iowa. Imhotep collaborates with the Department of Equity and Human Rights in Iowa City. It is work that makes her proud.
"There are ways that we can come together and convene in a space where everyone is allowed to learn and grow, which has started to look like quarterly book clubs. I feel like that is my Sankofa – returning to book clubs. I feel like I get to go home every quarter."
Two years ago, she created the Sankofa Literary Academy, which promotes and teaches literacy to school-aged children. She describes it as "an incubator for emerging readers" that fills up her life and makes her happy.
Reflecting on all of her work, she says, "It is exhilarating."
"I'm truly interested in learning not only what people think, but how they think, and I have great opportunities to do that. If we can impact how an organization does business or delivers service, then we're on to something and can impact our community for good."
Click on the links below to learn more about Abena Imhotep.
Sankofa Literary & Empowerment Group: www.abenasankofa.com
Omari's Big Tree and the Mighty Djembe: https://www.amazon.com/Omaris-Big-Tree-Mighty-Djembe/dp/1665729171
Social media handles:
• Facebook - SLGBookClub
• Twitter - @abenasankofa
• IG - @theofficialabena
I’m thrilled to be a member of the Iowa Writers Collaborative. Please explore other writers in the group.