Where we come from
Go back and get it.
That's roughly what Sankofa means. It's the word behind the bird on our badge.
The bird on our badge
Sankofa is a word and an Adinkra symbol of the Akan people of Ghana. One way it's drawn is a bird with its head turned back, carrying an egg in its beak.
That bird stands at the top of the hill on our badge. Across the African diaspora, Sankofa has come to mean learning from the past to build the future.
The same word names one of our programs, Sankofa Journey.
About Sankofa Journey
Founded in 2008
Adrienne Smith-Kissee founded Team Esteem on the Hill in Albany in 2008.
Team Esteem has taken young people on educational field trips and held graduation recognition ceremonies. It has also offered community circles and team building, and anti-bullying work.
In loving memory of our founder, Adrienne Smith-Kissee.
Carried forward
The founder's daughter, Vanessa Kissee, carries Team Esteem forward as its executive director.
Vanessa Kissee, Executive Director
Going back for what matters and carrying it forward: that's Sankofa.