Executive Team

I started Somali Bantu Rising because I saw a gap, something our community needed but didn’t have. I was born into a refugee story that’s bigger than me, and I’ve carried those experiences as a son, a student, an athlete, a police officer, and now as a community leader.

This nonprofit was born from a deep belief that our people deserve more: safe spaces to grow, support systems that understand our struggles, and opportunities that empower us across generations. I’m building the kind of organization I wish existed when I was younger, one that listens, uplifts, and stands proudly in our identity.

My mission is simple: to help our community not just survive, but rise together.

Email: [email protected]

At Somali Bantu Rising, I lead with purpose. Everything I do is driven by the belief that when we come together as a people, there is no limit to what we can build together.

The courage and resilience of my people became the foundation of my mission. That history- and the pain it carries fuels my commitment: my goal is to ensure that the next generation grows up with pride in their identity.

Email: [email protected]

My name is Abdi Ali, and I currently serve as the Treasurer of Somali Bantu Rising. I bring years of experience in community development and youth advocacy, grounded in a deep commitment to equity and empowerment. Previously, I served as the Somali Bantu Youth Director, where I had the privilege of leading programs designed to uplift refugee and immigrant youth, build leadership skills, and nurture cultural pride. My work is rooted in the belief that strong, resilient communities are built through inclusion, opportunity, and shared purpose. I’m proud to continue advocating for marginalized communities and helping shape a future where every voice is heard and valued.

Email: [email protected]

My name is Abdikadir Hussein but I go by Kenali, a name that blends Kenya and Somali. I was born in Mombasa, Kenya and my parents are from Somalia. I am a photographer based in Seattle, a craft I first picked up in high school using film cameras. Today I use photography to tell stories, honor identity, and connect with communities.

Email: [email protected]

Hi, my name is Hamdi! Being the firstborn child in the U.S. to Somali Bantu immigrant parents meant I had access to opportunities that allowed me to dream big and become whoever I wanted. But despite that privilege, I’ve always felt a deep curiosity and longing to understand the land and life my parents came from. Growing up, there was often a disconnect between kids like me—born and raised in the U.S.—and those who immigrated from back home. We were left trying to piece together our cultural identity, learning fragments of our native language, and trying to connect with our roots without much guidance.

As the Event Manager for Somali Bantu Rising, my goal is to help bridge the divide between those of us born and raised in the U.S. and our brothers, sisters, and parents who grew up back home. I want to create meaningful spaces where we can come together to share our stories, connect through our experiences, and learn from one another. Through intentional, community-centered events, we can begin to heal that disconnect—celebrating our rich heritage, language, and traditions while strengthening the bonds within our community.

Email: [email protected]

Peace and blessings be upon you all.

My name is Jamal Jeylani, and I serve as the Somali Bantu Heritage & Cultural Research Coordinator for Somali Bantu Rising.

My role in this community is to study, preserve, and elevate Somali Bantu history and innovate culture. I focus on understanding how both biological and cultural factors shape our behavior, health, and adaptation as a people—from our ancestral roots to our journey through displacement and resettlement.

What drives me in this work is personal. I’ve experienced the pain of an identity crisis—not knowing who I truly was, where I came from, or what it truly means to be Somali Bantu. That struggle has become my motivation. Today, I am committed to ensuring that no Somali Bantu youth grows up feeling lost about their heritage or disconnected from their identity.

This work is not just research—it is healing, truth-seeking and cultural survival.

Email: [email protected]