SAID MOHAMUD AHMED
Doctoral Candidate in Educational Leadership | Community Engagement & Advocacy Specialist
Minneapolis, US.About
Doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership and seasoned community advocate with over a decade of experience driving systemic change and empowering marginalized communities. Expert in culturally responsive leadership, grassroots organizing, and policy development, with a proven track record of designing impactful community-centered programs and fostering civic participation. Adept at leveraging academic rigor and practical advocacy to advance educational equity and build cross-cultural bridges for diverse populations.
Work
Minneapolis Community Engagement Specialist
|Community Engagement Specialist
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
→
Summary
Leads community outreach and engagement initiatives, developing and implementing community-centered programs and partnerships to build bridges between diverse populations.
Highlights
Orchestrates comprehensive community outreach and engagement initiatives, fostering strong relationships and collaboration across diverse ethnic and socio-economic populations.
Designed and launched impactful community-centered programs and strategic partnerships, directly addressing local needs and enhancing civic participation.
Facilitates cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration, successfully bridging divides between various community populations to achieve shared objectives.
ANSR-MN.org
|Community Engagement, Educator and Organizer
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
→
Summary
Actively contributes to community development and empowerment initiatives, demonstrating a commitment to advocacy and organizing for underserved populations.
Highlights
Maintained extensive experience in Minnesota community leadership roles, demonstrating a commitment to community development and empowerment.
Established a strong track record of advocacy and community organizing, successfully mobilizing communities for positive social change.
Awood Center
|Community Organizer
Shakopee, Minnesota, US
→
Summary
Organized East African and immigrant workers, empowering them to self-advocate and build capacity for rights advocacy in challenging work conditions.
Highlights
Mobilized and organized numerous East African and immigrant workers at a major Amazon facility, building collective power for improved working conditions.
Developed and delivered advocacy training programs, empowering workers to effectively self-advocate for their rights amidst high-pressure, high-productivity environments.
Strengthened worker capacity for rights advocacy, equipping individuals with strategies to navigate potential employer retribution and safeguard their employment.
Ensured transparent communication of advocacy risks and strategic approaches, fostering informed decision-making and trust among organized workers.
Civic Engagement Coordinator
|Civic Engagement Coordinator
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
→
Summary
Coordinated civic participation initiatives, promoting democratic participation and community empowerment for diverse immigrant and refugee communities.
Highlights
Orchestrated civic participation initiatives, increasing engagement among East African, Somali, immigrant, and refugee communities in local democratic processes.
Championed democratic participation and fostered community empowerment through targeted outreach and educational campaigns, enhancing civic literacy and involvement.
Volunteer ELL Teacher
|Volunteer ELL Teacher
Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
→
Summary
Provided English language learning instruction to East African, Somali, immigrant, and refugee communities, dedicated to the educational empowerment of underserved populations.
Highlights
Delivered comprehensive English Language Learning (ELL) instruction to diverse East African, Somali, immigrant, and refugee communities, improving language proficiency for numerous students.
Fostered educational empowerment within underserved populations by providing essential language skills, facilitating integration and access to opportunities.
Education
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota
→
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Educational Leadership (Dissertation Phase)
Metropolitan State University
→
Master (MAPL)
Advocacy and Political Leadership
Metropolitan State University
→
Bachelor
Social Science, Global Studies
Minneapolis Community College
→
Associate of Arts
Biology
Awards
Boards and Commissions Leadership Institute (BCLI) Participant
Awarded By
Nexus Community Partners
Completed a program training Black, Indigenous, and People of Color for publicly appointed boards and commissions, focusing on advancing racially equitable policies and outcomes. Demonstrated expertise in government systems and racial equity in public policies.
Leadership Fellowship Recipient
Awarded By
Undisclosed Competitive Program
Selected for a competitive leadership development program, enhancing skills in organizational leadership and advocacy, demonstrating a commitment to professional growth.
Guest Speaker
Awarded By
Metropolitan State University
Presented to the Master of Advocacy and Political Leadership (MAPL) class on Organizing and Narrative, sharing impact stories of organizing work with East African and immigrant workers.
Languages
English
East African Languages (Implied)
Somali (Implied)
Skills
Leadership & Advocacy
Transformational Leadership, Authentic Leadership Development, Moral Courage in Decision-Making, Organizational Leadership, Cross-Cultural Leadership, Grassroots Leadership, Strategic Planning, Community Advocacy, Policy Development.
Educational Equity & Community Engagement
Culturally Responsive Teaching Methodologies, Strategic Planning for Diverse Educational Populations, Community Engagement, Empowerment Strategies, Advocacy for Underrepresented Populations, Minneapolis Community Organizing and Outreach, Cross-Cultural Community Building, Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership Development, Grassroots Leadership and Mobilization.
Research & Analytics
Qualitative Research in Educational Leadership, Community-Based Participatory Research, Cross-Cultural Competency Assessment, Strategic Academic Planning and Prioritization, Scholarly Writing, Ethics and Leadership Research, Authentic Leadership Research, Educational Equity Research, Community-Based Research, Scientific Methodology, Analytical Thinking.
Cultural Competencies
Cross-Cultural Competency with East African Communities, Somali Community Engagement, Immigrant and Refugee Community Support, Multilingual Communication Capabilities, Cultural Bridge-Building Expertise.
Interests
Professional Interests & Trajectory
Educational Transformation and Equity, Community Advocacy and Empowerment, Cross-Cultural Leadership Competency, Preparing for an Academic Career in Educational Leadership, Building a Scholarly Portfolio through Publications and Research, Synthesizing Community Organizing Experiences into Academic Scholarship.
References
Emily Anderson
Director of Policy, ANSR | Email: emily@ansrmn.org | Phone: (651) 646-3005 | Professional Relationship: Can speak to policy development expertise, educational leadership capabilities, and extensive knowledge in these areas.
Chris Smith
Professional Organizer, ANSR | Email: chris@ansrmn.org | Phone: (651) 206-9953 | Professional Relationship: Long-time colleague and former graduate school classmate who can attest to organizing experience, academic excellence, and collaborative leadership skills.
Ruth Gramza
Real Estate Professional | Email: ruth@ansrmn.org | Phone: (612) 244-8786 | Academic Relationship: Former graduate school classmate who can speak to academic performance, intellectual rigor, and leadership potential in educational settings.