Why Real Change Starts at School—and at Home: A Conversation with Shamalia Woods

In this powerful episode of Sankofa Speaks, we sit down with Shamalia Woods—a proud West Side Chicago native, principal, author, and fierce community advocate—who breaks down what’s really missing in our schools… and what we can do about it.

From addressing the lack of parent advocacy to challenging cultural mindsets around education and mental health, Shamalia drops insight after insight. She shares real stories of Black dads stepping up, the hidden value of IEPs and 504 plans (including thousands in untapped college funds!), and the simple truth: confidence, support, and mindfulness can change everything for our children.

Here are just a few takeaways from the conversation:

• Why our communities must stop seeing IEPs as a stigma—and start seeing them as a strategy.
• How meditation and affirmations can boost student achievement, especially during testing.
• What it really means to build a bridge between home, school, and community.
• Why fatherhood initiatives and male mentorship are crucial—and how you can start one.
• How you, yes you, can make a difference by showing up at your local school.

This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a call to action.

We created the Sankofa Club for this exact reason—to fill in the gaps, lift up our youth, and give parents and grandparents the tools to make history stick. If you’re ready to raise children who are proud, empowered, and rooted in who they are, the Sankofa Club is where that journey begins.

And for a quick, powerful way to bring Black history into your home, check out our Black History Flashcards. Five minutes a day can change everything.

🎥 Watch the full interview above, take notes, and most importantly—take action.