We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyanna West and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyanna, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As a public historian, I knew that I didn’t want to only remain in academia, but I wanted to find a creative way I could engage with communities. Being that I am an artist first, I wanted to find a way I could merge my love for performing arts and history. That was the birth of my brand.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
My company is called Art of Sankofa, LLC. My company works to assist existing organizations in the interpretation and preservation of history. AOS is passionate about empowering communities through education and artistic expression. At Art of Sankofa, we use art to “Go back and get it”!

I started this company because I wanted to find different ways to use the interpretation of history to serve communities.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take a friend to my favorite sushi restaurant Kai sake & Sushi or the best taco truck in the city, Gym tacos! Then we’d go have a few drinks and listen to some live music at Little City Brewery!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My friend Shy McClaude. She is the owner of Reclamation FARMacy. She is a farmer passionate about teaching BIPOC communities how to grow their own food.

Website: Artofsankofa.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/tytheehistorian

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