St. Louis Park Mayor Nadia Mohamed was named the 2024 Emerging Leader Award recipient by the League of Minnesota Cities (LCM). The award was announced June 27th at the League’s Annual Conference in Rochester. The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership organization of more than 800 member-cities and is dedicated to promoting excellence in local government through advocacy, analysis, and guidance.
According to LCM, 839 of the state’s 855 cities are members, as are 11 townships and 69 special districts.
In accepting the award, Mohamed said, “I am deeply honored to accept the Emerging Leader Award, especially in the presence of such distinguished city council members and mayors from across our great state. This recognition is not just for me but for everyone—my family, friends, and mentors—who has supported and inspired me along this journey.”
Mohamed was elected mayor of St. Louis Park in 2023 and became the first elected Somali-American mayor in the United States and the first woman of color to serve as St. Louis Park’s mayor when she was sworn-in in 2024. Before winning at the polls, Mohamed served as the city’s youngest council member starting when she was 23 years old.
Throughout her time in St. Louis Park, Mohamed has helped improve the city’s understanding of the Muslim culture by connecting people through events, classes, conversations, and relationship building. Her dedication to increasing the acceptance and cooperation between people of different backgrounds earned her the 2018 City of St. Louis Park Human Rights Award.
City resident, Justin Cherrier who works as an Achievement and Support Coordinator in the St. Louis Park Public Schools said, “I admire her drive to get where she is now. As someone who works in a highly diverse school district, it makes me happy to see Muslim students have someone in power they can look up to. I look forward to see her work as mayor.”
Mohamed has been a vocal advocate for creating affordable homeownership in St. Louis Park as a council member and now as mayor. She has supported the city’s affordable housing initiatives such as the first-generation homeownership and down payment assistance programs.
“(Mohamed’s) heart for the community is evident in all her activities. From providing training on diversity, equity, and inclusion in her daily work, to serving the community on city council, to speaking to groups for Women’s History Month and Black History Month, Mayor Mohamed shows us the best of what it means to be a public servant,” the St. Louis Park City Council said in a joint statement included in Mohamed’s nomination form. “She is a role model to us all in how to be authentic, show up as your true self, and lead with care and integrity.”
The League’s Emerging Leader Award is presented in recognition and encouragement of elected and appointed officials who are early in their service to municipal government, have made meaningful contributions to their city, and show promise for continuing service and leadership. Officials who have served for eight years or less are eligible for consideration for the award.
As Mohamed concluded her acceptance speech she said, “My fellow mayors and council members, I am inspired by the work you do in your own communities It is a privilege to collaborate with you in this important work and to learn from each of you. Thank you all for this incredible honor.”
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About Susan Budig
Susan is based in Minneapolis and reports on general assignments for Mshale with a focus on entertainment. In addition to reporting, she is also a writer, poet, teacher and coach.
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