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A Sankofa Soul Care Meditation: Ancestral Lessons from Nannie Helen Burroughs, A Spring Blessing - Mental Health Awareness Month Edition
- Andrea Angie (GA)
- May 16
- 6 min read
Today, we welcome the wisdom + legacy of Nannie Helen Burroughs as we Sankofa (SAHN-koh-fah)—a word + practice from Ghana meaning “go back and fetch it.”
With open hands + contemplative hearts, we reach back for what is precious in our ancestral memory, bringing it forward as a blessing for our present lives. In this season of Mental Health Awareness Month, soul care + collective solidarity, we honor the life of Nannie Helen Burroughs—educator, civil rights ARTvocate, gospel theologian, and founder of the National Training School for Women and Girls, whose vision still nourishes us today.
Burroughs believed in the power of education, self-respect, and spiritual grounding as tools for liberation. Her legacy calls us to remember: the seeds we plant in faith + courage can blossom for generations.
A Holy Haiku - Nannie Helen Burroughs
Her bold living lives
Nannie shaped futures with hope
Rooted legacy
Amen + Asé
This haiku invites us to reclaim the courage to live boldly, the power to shape futures with hope, and the deep roots of legacy that nourish our communities and inspire generations to come-from the inside out, toward true liberation.
This is the heart of Sankofa: returning to the gift of collective care that nurtures our souls + bodies together. Our ancestors understood that care was never meant to be solitary but shared like breaking bread—a communion that sustains us all.
A Blessing:
May you walk in the boldness of your foremothers,
May your hands and heart be guided by wisdom and purpose.
May you sow seeds of hope, justice, and soul care for yourself and others.
And may your legacy, like Nannie Helen Burroughs’,
Bloom for generations to come.
Below are some rich excerpts from Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Documentary Portrait of an Early Civil Rights Pioneer, 1900–1959 by Dr. Kelisha B. Graves:
Nannie Helen Burroughs was described as:
“a grand mosaic of a woman... endowed with equal amounts of foresight and insight. She had a wide-angle view of the future but was still able to understand and help folks navigate the terrain that they were in. So...when you pull back on it what you see is a grand portrait that makes sense. So Burroughs is a grand mosaic of a woman.”
She believed deeply in service, writing:
“Part of what it means to contribute to the race is to be a person who gives their life to service.”
Her school, which she called “God’s city on the hill,” was not just an institution but a mission:
“She says it doesn’t belong to me, it belongs to God...everything in her life is rendered in deference to that core understanding that first and foremost my job is to be a prophet...to rebuke, reprove, to bring correction and instruction.”
Burroughs saw Black women as powerful agents of change:
“She has a speech where she calls...the Negro woman...a mighty big woman...if you want to know who Dr. Burroughs is, just think about that—she was a mighty big woman.”
Her vision for humanity was deeply rooted in dignity, purpose, and spiritual potential:
“It is the ‘Divine Plan’ that the strong shall help the weak, but even God does not do for man what man can do for himself... Civilization is not a matter of race, it is a matter of standards.”
She called us to aspire higher:
“Aspire to be, and all that we are not God will give us credit for trying.”
And she challenged us to see ourselves as agents of uplift:
“To struggle and battle and overcome and absolutely defeat every force designed against us is the only way to achieve.”
Burroughs often used the metaphor of the garden to describe her vision for humanity:
“In the great garden of humanity, every soul is a plant. Some are tall and stately, others are lowly and humble, but each has its place and purpose. The wellbeing of the whole depends upon the nourishment and care given to each individual.”
She lived this philosophy at her school, where she not only taught academic subjects but also planted literal gardens and raised food to nourish her students and staff during lean times:
“The food was short; she planted a garden and canned the fruits and vegetables. There were meatless days; she raised pigs. The butter was short; she milked the cows and churned the butter.”
Her vision extended beyond sustenance to the cultivation of character:
“A cause like this requires that we know young people and influence them in character ideals... The Art of Living a full, useful, attractive life is the fundamental requirement. The Art of Living is taught by example.”
Excerpts from Nannie Helen Burroughs: A Documentary Portrait of an Early Civil Rights Pioneer, 1900–1959 by Dr. Kelisha B. Graves.
Reflection for Your Journey
SOULjourner,
How do you honor the sacred ordinary: ex: preparing a meal, tending a plant, scribbling a note of gratitude or a poem, offering a kind word as acts of liberation + legacy, woven quietly into the fabric of each day?
Let this prompt be a gentle companion as you reflect, journal, or share in conversation, guiding you deeper into the roots of regenerative reimagination, nourishment, hope, and communal flourishing—just as Nannie Helen Burroughs did.
Blessing:
May you savor the gifts of each season,
May your table be filled with earth’s abundance.
May your senses awaken to the beauty and blessing in every bite.
For May's Mental Health Awareness Month, affirm: "Through empathy, I/we return to our belovedness + reclaim in the spirit of Sankofa, to go back and get it, by the enablement of the Holy Spirit”
A Special Free Gift for You
To deepen your journey into sensory awareness + sensing pleasure, I invite you to download my complimentary PDF guide, Savoring Sensuality with Soul.
This pastoral guide explores the importance of presence, surrender, and gratitude in experiencing life's replete pleasures more fully. It offers pastoral care on how to engage your senses and celebrate your neurology.
Download Your Free PDF Here:
As you explore this resource, remember that your unique journey is a celebration of soulful living. May you find daring shalom + sensual pleasure in every moment.
With soul,
Pastor Angie
SOULjourner, go Deeper on my Autism+ page for more resources.
A Gift Set SOULution
Featuring the botanical-themed Charcuterie Gift Box
Elevate your next collective care gathering with the Melanated Musings Charcuterie Board Gift Box Set.
In the heart of your home or gathering, add flair wherever you dare with a fusion of art, Black culture, and whimsical elegance.
Add a pop to any tabletop for your hors d'oeuvres + desserts.
Let the captivating charm bring a touch of soul to your next soirée (bridal shower, hostess gift, team party, bachelorette party, birthday party, anniversary celebration, or just to feel lavished), as they remind you that sometimes, the most beautiful stories begin with a simple, heartfelt gesture.
What’s Included: Free Gift Wrapping
1 x Choose board shape: Round Charcuterie Board with Groove - 13.5” x 13.5” or Rectangular Charcuterie Board with Groove - 12" x 9"
1 x Choose Board Design: Noir + Leaves or Mocha + Leaves
1 x Tamarind Oh! Sauce, 10.5 oz. Ingredients: Guava, Water, Tamarind Puree, Ginger Juice, Brown Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Organic Lemon Juice, Organic Lime Juice. A phenomenal sweet and tangy sauce for veggies, meat, and YES—desserts. Use it on your charcuterie boards to replace jams + jellies.
Or you can BUILD YOUR OWN GIFT SET >>
Until next time,
Gift from your soul.
✧
Deepen Your Soul Care Journey
Beloved SOULjourner, as you continue to nurture your gift-giving practice, discover sustainable gifts designed to embody intentional gift-giving + connection.
Soulful gifting for social change in the soul care boutique. Be inspired to amplify your ARTvocacy through peace + play vibes.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only as I share my pastoral care, my journey, and bring to you valuable research. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing any medical concerns or symptoms, please seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional.
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