In a historic appointment, Hudda Ibrahim joins the St. Cloud City Council as its first Somali American member, aiming to enhance representation and inclusivity while advocating for diverse community voices and initiatives.
ST. CLOUD – In a historic move, the St. Cloud City Council has unanimously appointed Hudda Ibrahim as its first Somali American member. The decision was made during a council meeting on Monday, where Ibrahim was selected to fill the vacant Ward 3 seat left by Mayor-elect Jake Anderson, who will assume office in mid-January.
Ibrahim, an accomplished author, small-business owner, and nonprofit director, was chosen after a competitive interview process that included nine candidates. Following the council’s unanimous first vote, outgoing Mayor Dave Kleis administered the oath of office to Ibrahim, who received a standing ovation from the audience. “To be able to unite this entire council on the first ballot is significant and reflects the strength of your candidacy,” Kleis remarked.
At 39 years old, Ibrahim has made St. Cloud her home for nearly two decades. She holds multiple degrees, including a master’s degree in conflict resolution from the University of Notre Dame and a doctorate in higher education and leadership from St. Mary’s University. Alongside her husband, Abdi Mahad, she operates a consulting firm that provides diversity and inclusion training to local businesses and organizations. Ibrahim is also the founder of OneCommunity Alliance, a nonprofit aimed at facilitating homeownership for residents. Her literary contributions include a book on the Somali refugee experience in central Minnesota and children’s books that showcase underrepresented characters, including children in hijabs.
Historically, the St. Cloud City Council has not reflected the city’s diverse demographics, which have shifted significantly over the past decade. The percentage of residents of color has increased from approximately 10% in 2010 to 30% today. Since 2017, Ibrahim and Mahad have hosted “Dine & Dialogue” events, featuring traditional Somali food and fostering conversations to address misconceptions about refugees and immigrants.
Although Ibrahim previously ran for the council and finished second in the August primary, her bid in November did not result in election, as she garnered 13% of the vote, placing fifth among six candidates. “Representation matters, and the 30.3% of people of color in St. Cloud deserve a voice in local government,” she stated in the fall. “I aspire to be the first Black, Muslim woman on the council, but I want my election to be based on my qualifications and commitment, not solely my ethnicity.”
While this is Ibrahim’s first public office, she has been actively involved in various boards, including the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and the mayor’s downtown task force, as well as the Central Minnesota Community Foundation and Anna Marie’s Alliance.
Ibrahim’s first full council meeting is scheduled for December 16. The newly elected council members — Tami Calhoun, Mark Johnson, and Scott Brodeen — will be sworn in on January 13, joining current members Dave Masters (Ward 1), Karen Larson (Ward 2), and Mike Conway (Ward 4).
During her interview, Ibrahim expressed her dedication to empowering individuals and her enthusiasm for working collaboratively to enhance the city: “I love our city, and when you love something, you step up, fight for it, and do everything you can to make it better.”
