The Minnesota Somali Community Center hosted its annual Samafal Gala on Saturday night in Columbia Heights.
Hundreds gathered to honor community healthcare providers and healthcare entrepreneurs involved in addressing the opioid epidemic facing the Somali community, as well as elected officials that have championed the interests of the community at the Legislature.
The honorees were recognized for embodying the spirit of “Geesinimo” – Somali for bravery. Samafal means charity in Somali.
Minnesota Somali Community Center (MSCC) is a Minneapolis-based nonprofit that provides support and resources for the livability issues that Somalis in the state face.
The organizations and individuals MSCC honored on Saturday have been on the forefront in addressing the complex web of challenges such as the opioid epidemic by investing time and resources, and in the case of legislators such as state Rep. Hodan Hassan, political capital.
One of those honored was a non-Somali, Dr. Benjamin Swart, an internal medicine physician that MSCC executive director Hassanen Mohamed said has been particularly crucial in the community’s efforts to address the opioid epidemic because of how Dr. Swart has lived his life.
“Dr. Ben graduated from the University of Minnesota but decided to live in the Cedar-Riverside area, just to be close to the community, he has visited Somalia and learned our culture and chose to raise his children in our community,” said Mohamed. He said it was Dr. Swart’s presence and hands on approach in the community that made their parts cross. He described late night visits with Dr. Swart to help those who have overdosed in places many consider unsafe.
Farhia Budul was among those honored Saturday with a “Champion of Recovery” award. She is a Somali woman in long-term recovery from opioid addiction that has garnered prominence in her mission to help others overcome the stigma associated with addiction. On Saturday, she accepted her award on stage in the company of others that have also triumphed over addiction.
“Recovery does work, recovery is possible, this is how recovery looks like today” said Budul as she pointed to the four people that accompanied her on stage.
She said Minnesota has the worst disparities in the nation when it comes to substance abuse and that the state needs to do better in addressing those disparities.
“This is a disease that is killing us, it is killing our youth and we need to reduce the stigma and shame because it takes a village (to address it), for us we are recovering out loud as that is what is helping others,” Budul said.
Rep. Hodan Hassan who is serving her third term in the Minnesota House of Representatives was among three state legislators honored. Rep. Hassan, who is not seeking reelection in November, was honored with the “Legacy of Service” award.
“Our community is struggling in many ways but also thriving in many ways, but there is a silver lining in every cloud – community work is hard, it takes a toll on you and your family so we should thank all these folks that are doing the work,” said Rep. Hassan. She said while she will no longer be in elective office after January, she will still be active in community service.
Samafal Gala 2024 Honorees
Community Caregiver: Dr. Benjamin Swart
Geesinimo Award: State Senator Omar Fateh
Champion of Recovery: Farhia Budul of Niyyah Recovery Initiative
Recovery Leadership: Abdirahman Warsame of Generation Hope
Community Impact: Musab Adam of Access Healing Center
Legacy of Service Award: Hodan Hassan
Service Provider of the Year: Yussuf Shafie of Alliance Wellness Center
Voice of Change: Mariam Said aka Mama Sahra
Friend of the Community: State Senator John Hoffman
Resilience in Recovery: Sundus Ali
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About Tom Gitaa Gitaa, Editor-in-Chief
Born and raised in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa, Tom is the Founder, Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Mshale which has been reporting on the news and culture of African immigrants in the United States since 1995. He has a BA in Business from Metro State University and a Public Leadership Credential from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He was the original host of Talking Drum, the signature current affairs show on the African Broadcasting Network (ABN-America), which was available nationwide in the United States via the Dish Network satellite service. On the show, he interviewed Nobel laureates such as 2004 Nobel Peace prize winner, Professor Wangari Maathai, the first woman from Africa to win the peace prize and heads of states. Tom has served and chaired various boards including Global Minnesota (formerly Minnesota International Center), the sixth largest World Affairs Council in the United States. He has previously served as the first Black President of the Board of Directors at Books for Africa. He also serves on the boards of New Vision Foundation and the Minnesota Multicultural Media Consortium. He has previously served two terms on the board of the United Nations Association. An avid runner, he retired from running full marathons after turning 50 and now only focuses on training for half marathons.
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