Dr. C. Sade Turnipseed
Executive Director
KHAFRE, Inc. / Sankofa Empowerment Initiative
sade@khafreinc.org | +1.662.347.8198
January 2026
Re: Project Update & Partnership Opportunity –
Sankofa Challenge—da’ Movie! and ADIRE: The Beauty in Our Land
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
I am honored to present to you the Project Update Report for the inaugural Sankofa Challenge—
da’ Movie! initiative—an international, student-driven cultural production that has evolved into a
powerful cinematic tribute to Africa’s textile heritage, sustainability, and ancestral legacy.
Guided by the principle that “belonging belongs to everyone”, this work uplifts the stories of Africa’s
cotton-pickin’ ancestors—those whose labor and creativity shaped the global cotton industry from the
Mississippi Delta to Manchester, England, yet were never formally thanked. The film, ADIRE:
The Beauty in Our Land, fuses a passionate love story with historical truth, environmental advocacy,
and the preservation of West Africa’s organic cotton and indigo-dye traditions.
In the past year, we have:
• Trained and guided an international cohort of students from the U.S., Nigeria, Mali, and
Germany in cross-cultural script development.
• Partnered with the Nollywood Filmmakers Association and leading African cultural
institutions to advance authentic storytelling.
• Premiered our table reading at the 29th Biennial FESPACO Pan African Film Festival
in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, with translation and critique by distinguished cultural
leaders including Cheikh Oumar Sissoko, former Minister of Culture in Mali.
Looking forward, we are preparing for principal photography in Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso,
the Mississippi Delta, and Manchester, England. Under the artistic direction of Minister Sissoko,
the project will culminate in a global movement to establish Monuments of Gratitude in these
historic cotton regions. These sacred spaces will stand as tangible acknowledgements of African
sweat equity and cultural ingenuity.
To bring this vision to full realization, we are seeking $2,570,000 in production funding (or
$513,000 for Nigeria-based filming) to ensure cinematic excellence, cultural authenticity, and
global impact. This investment will support international travel, on-location festival production,
historical research, post-production, and a robust outreach campaign.ADIRE: The Beauty in Our Land is more than a film—it is a cultural restoration project, an act of
environmental and historical justice, and a global invitation to honor, preserve, and celebrate
Africa’s living traditions.
I welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss partnership possibilities, funding
alignment, and the many ways this project can advance our shared commitment to cultural
preservation, sustainability, and Pan-African unity.
Thank you for your consideration and for your continued commitment to honoring the wisdom,
artistry, and resilience of our ancestors.
With respect and in solidarity,
Dr. C. Sade Turnipseed
Executive Director—KHAFRE, Inc. & Sankofa Empowerment Initiative
Assistant Professor of Public History—Jackson State University
Official Diaspora Representative—FESPACO, Burkina Faso (2003-09)Sankofa Challenge—da’ Movie!