Winners Sankofa

Website

https://www.forsquarepegsonly.solutions/

Program Description

The Avalon Carver Community Center in Los Angeles developed Winners Sankofa, an African-centered model for alcohol, tobacco, and other drug youth prevention practices that aim to counter the deleterious effects of poverty, school failure, substance abuse, incarceration, and environmental challenges facing African-American youth. The Winners Sankofa model is delivered in modular form and consists of written activities, lesson plans, and extra-curricular activities. The project’s curricular strategies support the psycho-social developmental needs of African American children by strengthening racial identity and self-concept.

Prevention Category

Selective
Indicated
Universal - Direct

Practice Level

Individual
Relationship
Community or Society

Strategies

Education

Practice Components

Level
Components
Individual
Civic Responsibility
Cultural/Religious Focus
Goal Setting
Pro-Social Connections and Activities
Psychoeducation
Skills Training
Relationship
Peer Norm Development
Peer-Led Approaches
Community/Society
Community-Based Processes

Risk and Protective Factors

Risk Factors
Protective Factors
Individual Risk Factors
Conduct disorder
Early and persistent antisocial behavior
Early initiation of substance use
Favorable attitudes towards substance abuse
Internalizing behaviors (e.g., anxiety, depression, social withdrawal)
Negative emotional state
Poor coping skills and behaviors
Rebelliousness
Individual Protective Factors
Ability to adapt to change and the belief in one’s ability to control what happens
Emotional self-regulation
High self-esteem
Personal engagement in two or more of the following: school, peers, athletics, employment, religion/spirituality, culture
Positive social orientation (e.g., engaging in healthy activities, accepting of rules and community values, positive social engagement)
Positive temperament
Strong coping skills (e.g., problem-solving skills, ability to stand up for beliefs and values)
Family Risk Factors
None
Family Protective Factors
None
School, Peer, and Community Risk Factors
Accessibility of substances
Academic failure
Lack of plans or ambitions for the future
Low commitment to school
Norms favorable towards substance use
Peer aggression or violence
Substance use among peers
School, Peer, and Community Protective Factors
Community norms, beliefs, and standards against substance use
Opportunities for prosocial engagement in the school and community
Opportunities for the development of skills and interests
Physical and psychological safety
Presence of mentors and healthy adults for positive emotional support
Positive social norms
Schools and student bodies with strong academic commitment

Population Age

Age 0-5
Age 6-12

Populations of Focus

Black or African American
Hispanic or Latino

Settings

School (K-12)
Community-based program

Parental/Caregiver Involvement

No parent or caregiver involvement

Substance Use Prevention Focus

Alcohol
Cannabis
Tobacco
Substance Use - General

Recommended Staffing

Mentors
Prevention staff

Empirical Evidence of Impact

Substance Substance-Related Behavior Population Age Evidence Strength and Study Populations of Focus
Substance Use (General) Changes in Knowledge, Attitudes, or Beliefs Grades 4-8 Moderate (African American),1-3  Promising (Latino/a/x)3
References

1 Bell D., Nunn, P., Michell, A.B. (2015). The Avalon Carver Community Center’s Winners Sankofa Project: An Evaluation of an African-Centered Model of Culturally Specific Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug (ATOD) Prevention Practice. National Prevention Conference. Retrieved from https://npnconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/ACCC-Final-Bell-Nunn-Mitchell-Spring-2015.pdf

2 Winners Sankofa (ND). Full Program Effectiveness. Retrieved from https://www.forsquarepegsonly.solutions/_files/ugd/51b1d8_85918d5a9b70469a90b0266074b475df.pdf

3 Avalon Carver Community Center (2022). Winners Sanfoka Evaluation – Special Summary Report 2014-2022. Retrieved from https://www.forsquarepegsonly.solutions/_files/ugd/58378a_e64dd1e85cd7405e8948e621211ba278.pdf

Training and Technical Assistance

The Winners Sankofa website provides free workbooks and a list of resources needed to implement the program.

Adaptations

The Winners Sankofa curriculum has been expanded to include Latino/a/x-specific lessons.

Program Costs

Implementation materials are available at no cost on the program website.

What California Providers Are Saying

We have not yet spoken to any California providers who have experience implementing Winners Sankofa. If you have implemented it, we would love to hear from you. Please contact us.

Labels

Winner's Sankofa