When Carlene Davis took over as a full-time caregiver for both of her elderly parents, she began noticing gaps in the elder community, particularly for Black people. Her parents didn’t have safe places to gather and build unity with other seniors. Those experiences inspired her to create a supportive aging space for Black women. She co-founded Sistahs Aging with Grace & Elegance with Kiara Pruitt. Sistahs Aging with Grace & Elegance is fiscally sponsored by the California Black Women’s Health Project. Alongside Sonya Young Aadam, CEO of California Black Women’s Health Project, the Sankofa Elders Project was formed to empower Black elders to identify and advocate for community-based solutions to health disparities affecting their lives.
“Aging is a collective rite of passage — not an individual test of mettle,” Davis said.
Black elderly people are twice as likely to live in poverty despite having helped build and strengthen their communities for generations. Many say society has overlooked them — and now, some in Los Angeles are creating a community care manifesto and calling for county officials to adopt a Black Elders Appreciation Day.
The Sankofa Elders Project, named after the Twi word meaning “go back and get it,” draws inspiration from the Akan people of Ghana and emphasizes honoring the past to shape a better future.
Black elders in Los Angeles County experience twice as many emergency room visits for heart conditions compared to the county’s overall aging population, largely due to economic insecurity, according to a USC Healthy Aging Report. The report found that financial instability among this group limits access to essential health care, contributing to higher rates of emergency care. Many suffer in silence — not because they don’t need help, but because they’ve been conditioned to endure without asking.
At the heart of the project are the Sankofa Elders Ambassadors — a group of black elders and community members committed to advancing health equity and elder well-being. Together, they developed the Eldering Bill of Rights, a community care manifesto that is scheduled for public release on Saturday, May 17, 2025. It is rooted in dignity, justice, and shared responsibility.
The Eldering Bill of Rights outlines key priorities aimed at improving the lives of older adults. These include promoting strong physical and mental health throughout the aging process, ensuring access to financial resources for long-term security, and supporting safe, stable housing that allows seniors to age in place while staying connected to their communities. It also emphasizes the importance of establishing trust, estate, and advanced health care plans that reflect elders’ wishes both during their lives and at the end of life.
The Sankofa Elders Project is calling for the widespread adoption of the manifesto. Leaders are also working with Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents the 2nd Supervisorial District. The project is a collaboration between Sistahs Aging with Grace & Elegance, which Davis helped co-found, and the California Black Women’s Health Project. The partnership was supported by the organization Aging While Black.
“It’s about mobilizing black individuals, elders, and community members to have these very important conversations,” Davis said.
The Sankofa Elders Project meets on the third Saturday of each month and welcomes those interested in getting involved. Supporters are encouraged to register on the organization’s website and endorse the Eldering Bill of Rights upon its public release on Saturday, May 17, 2025.
For more information, visit: https://www.sankofastories.com/sankofa-elders
