By William Muyuku
Toronto, February 19, 2026
The Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship Hub officially launched yesterday, February 19, 2026, with a clear mission to turn talent into opportunity through structured mentorship and partnerships.
Held at the organization’s headquarters at 180 Main Street in Toronto, the event was more than a ceremonial opening; it was a strategic call to action to bridge the gap between immigrant potential and professional reality. The atmosphere suggested that something transformative had begun, a sentiment echoed by board members, partners, and the media in attendance, including coverage by AfriCanada Stream and an Amharic media outlet.
A Decision Point for the Community
The launch addressed a critical “decision point” for African professionals in Canada. Many highly qualified professionals arrive in Canada with extraordinary experience and aspiration, yet often encounter fragmented pathways into their fields. This is not only a personal loss it is a systems opportunity for us to address together.
This sentiment was reinforced by Saleh Getahun, Executive Director of the Ethiopian Association in the GTA, who spoke candidly about the limitations existing organizations face. “Our organization works in settlement and newcomer services… but the mentorship aspect has always been struggling,” Getahun admitted. He welcomed Sankofa as a “much-needed” partner that will synchronize efforts to give youth the professional guidance they deserve, finally.
Wisdom from the Past, Vision for the Future
The organization’s name, Sankofa, is derived from the Akan language of Ghana, symbolizing a bird that looks back to fetch the future using past wisdom to build what lies ahead. Founder and CEO Alemayehu Konde (Alex) emphasized that the hub is designed to help qualified professionals transition into their fields. “Many of the young professionals we work with were engineers, medical doctors, pilots, and entrepreneurs before arriving in Canada. The issue is not capability it is navigation. Sankofa exists to help bridge that transition with clarity, mentorship, and coordinated partnership.”
“To Go Far, We Go Together”
A major highlight of the launch was the tangible support from the Mastercard Foundation, a key partner in activating Sankofa’s vision. A representative of the Mastercard Foundation underscored the importance of partnership models that prioritize youth agency, structured learning, and long-term systems strengthening reinforcing the shared commitment to dignified work and inclusive opportunity.
A Hub for Action and Research
The event also featured a robust discussion on why young people get “lost in transition” and how mentorship provides the missing link. Dr. Temesgen Bocher, the Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Impact, described the launch as “beyond expectation” and outlined the organization’s next steps: a large-scale research project to generate evidence for government and private sectors on the specific challenges African newcomers face.
“Sankofa is not an employment agency,” Dr. Bocher clarified. “Our role is to strengthen readiness, alignment, and access ensuring that individuals are better positioned to connect with opportunities through ethical and collaborative pathways.”
Get Involved
The event concluded with a clear invitation to the community. Whether you are an experienced professional willing to mentor or a newcomer seeking guidance, the Sankofa Afri-Canadian Mentorship Hub is open for collaboration. “No young person should navigate complex systems alone,” Mulatu affirmed. “Through structured mentorship and responsible partnership, we can build pathways that are clearer, fairer, and more durable.”
For more information on how to become a mentor or mentee, visit:
website: https://sankofamentorship.org/
Get involved: https://sankofamentorship.org/get-involved
