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Two Minnesotans named to Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program

Climate activist Jothsna Harris and labor organizer Abdirahman Muse are part of the first cohort of the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program.

Jothsna Harris (left) and Abdirahman Muse (right) Credit: Obama Foundation

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Two Minnesotans are among the 100 people named to the first convening of the Obama Foundation’s Leaders USA program.

Labor organizer Abdirahman Muse and climate justice activist Jothsna Harris were named to the program in late July.

The Obama Foundation Leaders USA program is a six-month leadership development program that seeks to inspire, empower, and connect emerging leaders across the country, according to the foundation’s website. The participants will have the opportunity to engage with former President Barack Obama, leadership coaches, subject matter experts, and each other throughout the program.

Abdirahman is the executive director of the Awood Center in Minneapolis, a labor organization that works closely with the East African community. Awood has helped organize several demonstrations against workplace practices at local Amazon facilities, including issues around quotas and pay, and claims that the company did not give workers time off to celebrate the Islamic holiday Eid.

Abdirahman has also served as a policy aide and liaison for former Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges, working with the Somali community on  employment and housing issues.

“We are really honored to represent Minnesota,” Abdirahman said. “But you know, it’s an opportunity to acquire new skills and to deepen our real connections with other leaders, learn from their experience, but also offer our experience.”

Harris is the founder of Change Narrative LLC, a national consulting service that builds capacity in the climate justice movement through the power of stories. She was recently featured in the documentary, “Drawdown’s Neighborhood: Twin Cities,” highlighting voices in the environmental justice field.