Sankofa Empathy Necklace
Handmade Nigerian designed necklace with brilliant Rhode Island stones in a classic color spectrum of ivory and ebony. The pattern is designed to highlight the past or the essence of sankofa birds "looking back while flying forward", a key form of an empathic mindset. This piece emphasizes self-compassion about the past in order to fully be present when empathizing in the present and for the future. This necklace took Ada approximately 2 hours days to design based on Dr. Jason Okonofua's description of Sankofa Empathy, a special kind of perspective-taking that looks back while flying forward. Research shows that there are many pivotal moments in history that were guided with the power of empathy or could have benefitted from it. This is marked in the light reflecting black and white lens, a way of seeing the past but with clarity. The theme is developed from research at Stanford University and published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Ada, the designer, is a 7 year old artist in the 1st grade. Her name is Nigerian for "daughter to all" and she is known as princess in her village. She is above grade level in both reading and math which she uses to inform her arts which include books, jewelry, paintings, and abstract fabric and glass works. Each piece comes from a place of empathy, love, and joy like only a child could give. The proceeds go directly to Ada's education fund. Let this necklace support you on your journey to empathize with others.