About Abdi Mohamed

From Mombasa to Minnesota – A Storyteller’s Journey

Born in Mombasa, Kenya and raised in St. Paul, Minnesota, my journey is one that many immigrants share—leaving one home to build another in a place both familiar and unfamiliar.

I grew up in a Somali Muslim household, shaped by two worlds: the traditions of my community and the broader landscape of the Midwest. My love for storytelling was ignited early, whether through the tales passed down by family or the ones I discovered on the silver screen.

As a Somali man, storytelling is in my DNA. Our culture is built on oral traditions, poetry, and narrative inheritance, yet I found that many of the stories circulating in mainstream media rarely reflected my lived experiences. When they did, they were often misrepresented.

That realization led me to journalism and filmmaking—not just to consume stories, but to tell the ones I never got to see.

For the past seven years, I’ve worked in local and national news, reporting on critical issues that shape communities. Over the last decade, I’ve stood behind the camera, crafting narrative and documentary films that highlight experiences rarely seen on screen.

Journalism & Filmmaking

I focus on stories that challenge dominant narratives and center marginalized voices. My work spans investigative journalism, documentary filmmaking, cultural consulting, and narrative storytelling, with projects featured in:

  • Film & Television: Apple TV+, TPT, Snap Judgment, MSP Film Society

  • News & Media: Sahan Journal, MPR, North News, Spokesman-Recorder

  • Podcasting & Audio Storytelling: Disruptive Narratives Podcast, Snap Judgment

Education & Film Fellowships

Education

  • University of Minnesota - Twin Cities

    • BA in Communication Studies, Class of 2020

Film Programs & Fellowships

  • FilmNorth’s Inclusive & Socially Conscious Filmmaking Lab (2020)

  • SPNN/Jerome Foundation New Angle Documentary Fellow (2022)

  • Kartemquin Films Diverse Voices in Documentary Fellow (2023)

Let’s Connect

If you’re interested in collaborating on film, journalism, podcasting, or cultural consulting, let’s talk.

abdicreates1@gmail.com