I knew I had to visit this place and didn’t get a chance to do so for the many trips I took to DC. This time around I made it work; from the moment I stepped in, till I read all I could from all the available books written by or about Black people, till I talked to good people there, grabbed a cool chai latte - an amazing cooler - and had two items of the menu (one vegan one carnivore 😂) and until I said bye - I felt black pride ✊🏾 I felt represented, I felt like I belong, I honestly felt that I needed more of this. It’s very therapeutic and the infotainment is eye opening. Give thanks 🙏🏾 until I come next time either with my own book to put on the shelf or to just grab a coffee - Peace be with you brethren and Sistrens!! ✊🏾

If you are looking for a bookstore that celebrates Black Culture to the fullest, this is where you need to come! Every single peice of literature in the store, is written and features Black excellence. From children's books to autobiographies, and even science fiction; the genres are all present. They also have a cafe with delicious paninis! The searing area is great for a Spring or Summer day. I highly recommend this bookstore!

Warm, welcoming, Afro-Centric video, bookstore and cafe. There’s also a little performance stage. The cafe serves an excellently strong mocha.

I loved the energy in the space. There were people of all ages in the space which made the experience a good one. I didn't have a meal but I had a smoothie which was good. I ended up purchasing 2 books for my 1 year old to enjoy in a couple years.

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!

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.

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!

Rare find! Sankofa is a must-visit for the best in the latest books, nicely curated talks, impressive rare books, and friendly customers. The cafe offers smoothies, lattes, vegan options, breakfast, bakery items, and Wi-Fi. The book collection includes one of the largest selections of children's books, rare books, film, art, sci-fi, health, spirituality, biographies, history, music, and more from across the African diaspora. It is one of the few long-standing black-owned businesses that remain on Georgia Ave. The front patio is a nice place to spend a warm day with a book or a friend.

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!

The air of a successful business is in this place. The food looked amazing coming by on the plates. I was looking for a particular book so I didn't eat this trip but I certainly wanted to. Students were everywhere out front there was an impromptu market where young people offer their wares. The staff was friendly and spoke to the guests in the bookstore. I was very impressed from the artwork or the walls to the books displayed this was an iconic bookstore right across from Howard University keep up the good work and thank you for your hospitality.

The bookstore felt like sacred space--libraries & bookstores have always been community gems--this store ranks high. Such a wonderfully diverse book collection one rarely finds. I came in to eat but bought several books. The cafe has scrumptious fare. This carnivore thoroughly enjoyed fula (??sp) suggested by my vegan guest. She raved about her order too.

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

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.

Everything about this place is wonderful. A true community space. Good food, good people, good literature. Worth dropping in JUST for the dirty chai. It’s so good!

Great food, very friendly and nice atmosphere, and my drink was great. Definitely will be back, better than my typical Starbucks coffee day. It’s also Black-owned, can’t beat that.

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.

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!

Received excellent customer service from Kamau Grimes. The bookstore is has a dope selection of books. This was my second time there (coming from out of town, Philadelphia) and leaving with no less than four books both trips. Looking forward to my next visit to D.C. with Sankofa as a mandatory stop for purchases.

This is a very nice and comfortable cafe with friendly staff, indoor and outdoor seating, and is also a book and video store. The only thing I suggest is getting a recycling bin for the future. Otherwise, all else was good here.

Very homey small space with a good supply of books by black authors ranging from Childress books to black history and other black modern topics. Ordered a chicken panini and it was delicious, chicken was heavily spiced (tasted more like curry than pesto) and the bread was crisp. Very nice staff.

Previously the site of the Omega Psi Phi headquarters. Now the location where it was first observed melanin is worth more than gold in March 2014 due to the insight of Baba Tarik A. Oduno. The Oduno Scale was crafted on this location and gratefully named in his honor.

Great grilled cheese on a croissant and coffee at this Ethiopian/Egyptian themed coffee bar. It has alcohol for coffee shot as well. It does seem to not be best utilized with the indoor being overrun by a cluttered bookstore. They're forgoing their $10k annual return per coffee table for book mounds so be prepared to sit outside on their outdoor patio. It across from Howard University making it a great place to grab a coffee before touring the campus...like I did

I found my place. There was a black owned bookstore (minus the cafe) like this in my hometown when I was growing up. You walk in and feel understood, embraced, and accepted without explanation or word said. The books, pictures, and music. Everything was affirming. It was peaceful. I was peaceful. The food was good, too. The staff kind.

Awesome gem of a coffee shop, restaurant and book store! I highly recommend getting the chai Frappuccino, it was delicious and not too sweet. The servers were also friendly and warm. This spot also have an amazing outdoor area with a lot of spread out picnic tables and greenery. Will definitely be back!