In a landmark moment for the Somaliland-American community, Boston stepped into the spotlight this month as the Somaliland Professionals Association of America (SLPA) hosted its 5th Regional Event – the first gathering of its kind in the city since the early 1990s.
Over 70 members, community leaders, and supporters converged from across New England, with attendees traveling from Massachusetts, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and even students from Vermont.
The event underscored the power of intentional community building, drawing professionals from diverse fields like healthcare, law, architecture, engineering, and accounting. Notably, participants hailed from prestigious institutions including Harvard, MIT, Yale, Middlebury, Dartmouth, Tufts, Cornell, and Columbia – serving as beacons of inspiration for younger members pursuing academic and career excellence.
The day began with welcoming remarks from host Fahima Ali, followed by a moving Qur’an recitation by Sheikh Abdiqadir, Imam of the Islamic Society of Boston (ISB), New England’s largest mosque. Long-standing leaders from Massachusetts, Maine, and Connecticut shared poignant reflections on leadership, service, and passing the torch to the next generation.
Highlights included inspiring talks from rising stars: Sahra Jama, an Abaarso School alumna and Brandeis graduate, who spoke on resilience, faith, and personal growth; and Abshir Sudi, a Middlebury graduate and founder of AHDI Promise – a Boston-based nonprofit advancing education in Somaliland since 2019.
A standout moment was the presentation of the Achievement Award for Boston Community Impact, Leadership, and Education to Mubarak, an early SLPA member, Abaarso alumnus, and MIT graduate – recognizing his trailblazing contributions. Abaarso School of Science and Technology in Somaliland, alma mater to many event honorees and speakers.
The keynote address came from Dr. Jamal Ali Hussein, a former Citigroup Managing Director with an MBA from Harvard and a PhD from Johns Hopkins. He delivered powerful insights on building legacy, personal development, and sustained collective action for Somaliland’s progress and local diaspora communities.
The event concluded with a shared meal from Nubian Markets and extended networking at Luzuri Turkish Café, fostering deeper connections.
SLPA, a growing network of Somaliland-connected professionals in the U.S., continues to bridge diaspora talents with opportunities back home.
Organizers expressed profound gratitude to local volunteers for orchestrating this impactful reunion, reigniting a sense of unity and purpose that hadn’t been felt in Boston for over three decades.
As one attendee noted, “This wasn’t just an event – it was a reminder of what we can achieve when we come together.” For the Somaliland diaspora in New England, Boston has truly made history once again.
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