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A Marketplace of
Human Excellence

Sokoto means "market place" and has its social, political, and spiritual roots linked to one of the major 18-19th century precolonial African Islamic empires of West Africa, from where many people of African descent in the Americas originated due to the European trans-Atlantic slave trade.
Sokoto House is a community center that aims to build community cohesion and collective efficacy.

Upcoming Events

Saturday & Sunday, March 15 & 16, 10 AM - 5 PM
lcl sponsored: Completely Free Community Market More info...

Sokoto House and the lowercase leaders will host another Completely Free Community Market on March 15 and 16.

Drop off any donated goods at Sokoto House on Friday, March 14 between 5 and 8pm.

Saturday & Sunday, June 15 & 16, 10 AM - 5 PM
lcl sponsored: Completely Free Community Market More info...

Sokoto House and the lowercase leaders will host another Completely Free Community Market on June 15 and 16.

Drop off any donated goods at Sokoto House on Friday, June 14 between 5 and 8pm.

Saturday & Sunday, September 20 & 21, 10 AM - 5 PM
lcl sponsored: Completely Free Community Market More info...

Sokoto House and the lowercase leaders will host another Completely Free Community Market on September 20 and 21.

Drop off any donated goods at Sokoto House on Friday, September 19 between 5 and 8pm. This market is focused on needs of students returning to school, so any school supply donations are greatly appreciated!

Saturday & Sunday, December 20 & 21, 10 AM - 5 PM
lcl sponsored: Completely Free Community Market More info...

Sokoto House and the lowercase leaders will host another Completely Free Community Market on December 20 and 21.

Drop off any donated goods at Sokoto House on Friday, December 19 between 5 and 8pm.

**POSTPONED** (was scheduled for October 12)
6th Annual Skarure Woccon Harvest Gathering More info...

Due to the impacts of Helene and recent events, the Harvest Gathering is being postponed. It was schedule for Saturday, October 12 but will be rescheduled - possibly for November 16. We'll post an update as soon as plans are solidified.

Sokoto House is honored to host the Cape Fear Band of Skarure Woccon Indians for their 6th Annual Harvest Gathering! This free event is open to all and will feature families, food, culture, drumming, storytelling, raffles, and dancing.

Seating may be limited, so we encourage you to bring a blanket or chair. The Grand Entry will begin at 12:30PM. Interested in being a vendor? Visit www.skarurewoccon.com/harvest-gathering

Concluded (Monday, December 23, 12 PM - 4 PM)
lcl and AYO sponsored: Kindness Boxes Giveaway More info...

The lowercase leaders and Advance Youth Outreach gave out Kindness Boxes on December 23 from noon until 4pm at 1213 Dawson St.

Concluded (November 8-9, with some sessions in the preceding days)
2024 4th Annual Cape Fear Community Racial Health & Equity Summit More info...

Sokoto House's 2024 Summit hit the road to the Asheville area to throw in with their local CHW-VPPs to help their communities affected by Helene. For more info, jump to our Summit page.

Regularly Scheduled Programs

Every Wednesday, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Time After Time Meetings More info...

Time After Time is a support group organized by NC Rights Initiative for men and women who have been incarcerated.

Every Wednesday & Thursday, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Free Showers More info...

Family and Community, in association with Quality Life Blueprint, Advance Youth Outreach, H.O.P.E., NC Rights Initiative, and Martial Science Health & Wellness are sponsoring free showers in a mobile unit at Sokoto House on Wednesdays and Thursdays from July through October.

1st Friday of every month, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
1st Friday Family Fun Day More info...

HOPE sponsored family fun day at Sokoto House. Open to everyone and includes food and activities.

2nd Friday of every month, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Family Fun Fridays Garden Party More info...

Join us in the Sokoto House garden for activities related to plants, medicine and art. Open to all!

3rd Friday of every month, 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
3rd Friday Dance Class More info...

Explore dance for fun, fitness, or just the joy of moving! Open to all ages and skill levels.

**ON HOLD** (Usually every Saturday, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM)
Qigong in the Garden More info...

Head to our QiGong in the Garden page for signup and donation info. A $5 minimum donation per session is requested.

Fitness and spiritual health sessions open to the community, led by 53+ year martial science professor, Master Shihan Mwalimu White Owl.

**ON HOLD** (Usually Every Saturday, 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM, weather permitting)
Beginner Archery More info...

Sokoto House and Grey Raven Media holds archery instruction and practice sessions free of charge on Saturdays (weather permitting). All equipment is provided.

Contact Kevin if you are interested in participating.

3rd Sunday of each month, time TBA
Just Us Girls with HOPE More info...

Brenda Galloway and HOPE hosts a support gathering for young mothers from the community. See hope218.org for more information.

Latest News

Happiness and Hope for the New Year

Sokoto House extends its best wishes for all in 2025. We would also like to express our deep gratitude to all those who have donated either their time, goods, or money to help us keep going.

Completely Free Community Market Dates

Sokoto House and the lowercase leaders will be hosting Completely Free Community Markets on March 15 and 16, June 15 and 16, September 20 and 21, and December 20 and 21! Drop off for donation of goods will be on the Fridays immediately preceding each Market weekend from 5-8 PM.

Completely Free Community Market

In the Media

The CPrV© strategy behind Sokoto House and its partner organizations is in full swing in Buncombe County, North Carolina. Read an article about this implementation on CPrVStrategy.com or view the full report & plan on the Buncombe County website.

Read about local efforts by Sokoto House and its core partners in the article below.


Read the full article on StarNews Online (paywall)
View article (PDF)

Weekly Programs: Time After Time and Free Showers!

On Wednesdays from 5PM-6PM, NC Rights Initiative holds its Time After Time support group meeting for the formerly incarcerated. Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10AM until 1PM, Family and Community sponsors Free Showers!

Friday Programs: 2nd Friday Family Fun Garden Party & 3rd Friday Dance Class

In addition to the First Friday Family Fun Days organized by H.O.P.E., other Friday programs continue at Sokoto House! On the 2nd Friday of each month from 5-8PM will be dance classes, and the 3rd Friday of each month will feature a Family Fun Garden Party from 5-8PM. Both programs are FREE and open to all ages!

Limited Edition T-shirts!

Get them while they last while helping Sokoto House fund its operations. There are three different designs to choose from, or get one of each! All sales directly contribute to operational expenses such as utiltiy bills, supplies, maintenance, etc. Any shirts ordered must be picked up at Sokoto House.

Please note that the first 2 designs shown are due in at the end of May. We are taking pre-orders for these designs, but pickup won't be available until later this month.

T-shirts for sale on our Square shop

Meet our inaugural class of CHW-VPP graduates!

Featured Endorsements

Sokoto House has been recognized by the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 417 as a valued partner organization.

The Sokoto House, located at 1219 Dawson Street in Wilmington, NC has been a host to IATSE Local 417 during our union organizing efforts and our continuous workforce training and development over the 2021-2022 calendar cycles. With the help of Vance Williams and the Sokoto House community activation team, we, the members of IATSE Local 417 have found safe harbor and devoted ourselves in alliance with the missions of The Sokoto House.

Read the letter [PDF]

Vance and Sokoto House has also been endorsed by Midway Parking, LLC as a valued partner.

Vance and The Sokoto House came highly recommended through my Events Coordinator, and since we've begun a partnership with them, I cannot recommend their services highly enough.

Read the letter [PDF]

CCCVPS Initiative

Sokoto House is the headquarters of the Cape Fear's Comprehensive CommUNITY Violence Prevention Strategy (CCCVPS), an initiative principally coordinated by Quality Life Blueprint, Advance Youth Outreach and Lily Nicole Nichelle.

CCCVPS is an initiative and implementation plan based on successful, evidence-based curricula to benefit the community as a priority, as well as address New Hanover County's acknowledgement of racism as a public health crisis and provide a solution to answer the City of Wilmington's call to action through the Rise Together Initiative.

Screen capture of CCCVPS web page

Gallery

Photos from many events and programs are now available on our Gallery page!

Contact Us!

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Sokoto House is also home to Advance Youth Outreach and Quality Life Blueprint. Click or tap the address below for a map.

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