Somali Cultural Heritage Microgrant Awardees
November 2019 – July 2020
Total Awardees: 10
Total Awarded: $40,620
Total Cities: 6
East Africa Health Project - $2,500
St. Paul
East Africa Health Project will host a multicultural event and dinner to show how Somali culture and heritage and dance are important and can be part of prevention of obesity and chronic diseases.
Isuroon - $5,000
Minneapolis
Isuroon will pilot a new program to create a space for Somali youth to discuss the realities of being a first or second-generation immigrant with the compounding factors of their racial, linguistic, ethnic and religious identities through the arts and nature.
Multicultural Resource Center - $3,120
Pelican Rapids
Multicultural Resource Center will hire the Somali Cultural Museum’s Dance Troupe to perform at the city of Pelican Rapids’International Friendship Festival, and run a Somali dance workshop the day after the Festival.
Somali Community Resettlement Services - $5,000
Faribault
Somali Community Resettlement Services will develop a “Basic Somali Language and Culture Class” curriculum. This course will be a 20-30-hour training for people in the general community, and possibly Somali youth.
Somali Parents Autism Network - $5,000
Minneapolis
This project will help families express their feelings through poetry, sharing historical perspectives on disability within the Somali Community.
Soomaal House of Art - $2,500
Minneapolis
Three Somali emerging artists will get the opportunity to learn, explore and exhibit a concept from beginning to end product through Spearwave – a monthly intimate exhibition and gathering space for conversations about art and culture.
Speaking Out - $5,000
Minneapolis
With Ayeeyo Childcare Center, a Somali-American family’s business, Speaking Out will create workshops that use storytelling and acting to center Somali stories, language and culture.
Tusaalo Mentoring – Ubah Medical Academy - $2,500
Hopkins
This innovative program connects Somali youth with local Somali professionals through culturally-specific and school-based mentorship.
Unite Cloud - $5,000
St. Cloud
#unitecloud will partner with a local Somali-owned business, Nori Cafe and Creamery, to host bi-monthly “Somali Language Nights” where a local member of the Central MN Somali community teaches Somali phrases to non-Somali community members.
West Bank Athletic Club - $5,000
Minneapolis
West Bank Athletic Club will make their soccer tournament a more holistic community event by incorporating Somali singers and poets into the soccer tournament program.