Sankofa EX, is a new series of outdoor museum EXperiences designed for your phone. Sankofa EXhibits serve as a digital bridge that connects outdoor public art and historical monuments created by the Black Heritage Trail of NH, with rich interactive mobile content so you can actively engage with Black History as you stand in the physical spaces where it is honored.

The meaning behind the name

Sankofa is a word and philosophical concept from the Akan people of Ghana that translates roughly to "go back and get it." It expresses the belief that it is never too late —- or taboo -— to look to your past to understand your present and build a better future. The concept centers on the idea that true progress requires us to carry forward the valuable lessons, traditions, and knowledge of those who came before us.

What the experience includes

In practice, Sankofa EX uses your smartphone - scanning QR codes with your phone's camera - to bring static outdoor exhibits to life through:

• Multimedia storytelling:
  Users can watch slideshows, listen to interviews with historians and civic leaders, and watch AI-generated videos depicting historical events. This digital content can be used to support a more inclusive view of American history and justice education for schools and families.
• Behind the scenes insights:
  It offers deeper context into how exhibits are made, such as interviews with the artist and project leaders to understand the key decisions that brought these exhibits to life.
• Interactive sharing:
  The Sankofa EX platform encourages visitors to take part in history by sharing digital postcards from the exhibit directly from their phones. Our goal is to reach 400,000 shared impressions. Be an active participant in history, and together we can bring Black History forward!