Sankofa IG Feed - Sankofa_26_IG_Feed_2026 Cohorts
The International African American Museum (IAAM) announces the 2026 cohort of its Sankofa Fellowship, an intensive 15-day leadership immersion program running from Sunday, June 7 to Sunday, June 21. This year’s fellowship brings together eight exceptional student leaders from diverse academic institutions to bridge the gap between academic research, community health equity, and civic engagement.
The IAAM Sankofa Fellowship’s goal is to provide rising juniors and seniors in college with the tools to become transformative leaders. By connecting student fellows with culturally rooted community organizations and leaders, the fellowship ensures that the next generation is equipped to honor the past while creating a more equitable future. The fellowship is generously funded by Pisgah Investments Foundation, Inc.
This year’s cohort includes:
● Wallace Bowie III (Rising Senior, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor) – Major: African American Studies
● Otis Franklin III (Rising Junior, College of Charleston) – Major: African American Studies; Minor: Music and Computing in the Arts
● Autumn Greer (Rising Senior, Converse University) – Major: History and English
● Takaria Hayes (Rising Junior, Tuskegee University) – Major: Political Science; Minor: Global Humanities
● Kyla Mahasa (Rising Junior, North Carolina A&T State University) – Major: Political Science
● Amaiya Nichols (Rising Junior, Lander University) – Major: International Studies; Minor: International Business and Spanish
● Maleah Petillo (Rising Junior, College of Charleston) – Major: Biology and Environmental and Sustainability Studies; Minor: African American Studies
● Amirah Redwing (Rising Junior, Clark Atlanta University) – Major: Political Science; Minor: Pre-Law
Featured Mentor: Dr. Thaddeus Bell
The fellowship experience is foregrounded by Dr. Thaddeus Bell, renowned founder of Closing the Gap in Health Care. A distinguished physician in the Charleston medical community, Dr. Bell has dedicated his professional career to decreasing health disparities and increasing health literacy in African American and underserved communities. His leadership will set the stage for the fellows' exploration of health equity as a vital pillar of community leadership.
Community Partner Spotlight: AMOR Healing Kitchen
A central component of the first week of the Sankofa Fellowship is a partnership with AMOR Healing Kitchen, a Charleston-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit advancing the powerful connection between nutritious food, community, and wellness. Since its founding in 2018, AMOR has delivered more than 100,000 plant-based meals to individuals facing critical health challenges, while empowering local teens through volunteerism and culinary education. Under the leadership of founder and executive director Maria Kelley, who brings 14 years of experience in education and a deep passion for culinary medicine, AMOR Healing Kitchen utilizes local agriculture and youth mentorship to prove that "getting back to the earth" can help heal chronic disease.
To provide specialized instruction, AMOR Healing Kitchen has engaged two expert consultant chefs to lead the fellows:
● Chef WiBi Ashley: A holistic plant-based chef, public historian, and founder of Art and Remedies Wellness, LLC. With over 25 years of experience using food as medicine, Chef WiBi will guide fellows through plant-based medicinal traditions of the African Diaspora.
● Chef Gabrielle “Gabby” Smith: A graduate of Johnson & Wales University and founder of Grits and Gabs and Plate it Forward. An innovative farm-to-table chef and zero-waste advocate, Chef Gabby will teach fellows about Gullah Geechee food traditions and the importance of sustainable culinary practices.
Fifteen Days of Immersive Cultural Experience
The Sankofa Fellowship is structured to move fellows from theoretical understanding to practical application:
● Week 1: Community Service & Health Equity: Fellows will participate in culinary medicine workshops at AMOR Healing Kitchen, preparing nutrient-dense, Gullah Geechee-inspired meals and engaging in plenaries on the "Food is Medicine" philosophy and health disparities.
● Week 2: Professional Development & Museum Operations: Fellows will transition to the IAAM for departmental shadowing, gaining hands-on experience in museum ethics, fundraising, and various career pathways within the institution.
● The J.O.Y. Celebration: The fellowship culminates on Friday, June 19, during IAAM’s third annual J.O.Y. | Juneteenth On the Yard. Fellows will serve in support roles and as digital correspondents, storytelling in real-time and capturing community interviews to feed a live social wall.