Building healthier communities in the Lower Ninth Ward by connecting fresh food access, environmental restoration, economic opportunity, and cultural vitality for generations to come. When individuals are healthy, relationships function better, families operate more easily and communities are more cohesive. This creates opportunities for increased safety, stability and overall viability. In holding with foundational principles of community development, we believe that the power for true transformation lies within the community. We therefore work with residents and other stakeholders to identify locally felt social challenges and address them in thoughtful, culturally competent ways. We understand the power of the built environment in shaping health and therefore partner with other traditional community development organizations and non-profits to address the “social determinants of health” that trigger inequities. For us, the ultimate goal is to support the creation of a local environment that promotes positive health outcomes and builds healthier communities for generations to come. The Sankofa Community Development Corporation (CDC) is a 501 (c) 3 non – profit organization founded in 2008 by Rashida Ferdinand in alliance with community stakeholders in the Lower Ninth area following the Hurricane Katrina disaster to support health-centered community and economic development in the area.
