Bush Fellow • TEDx Speaker • Creator of Kalsooni Cards • Language & Neurodiversity Advocate • Finnovation Alum • Poet & Cultural Healer
Anisa Hagi-Mohamed is a Somali-American poet, linguist, and storyteller based in Bloomington, Minnesota. Her work explores themes of identity, neurodiversity, and cultural healing. A skilled writer and artist, Anisa created Kalsooni, the world’s first Somali-English affirmation cards, Waan Isku Kalsoonahay, a children’s book on autism, and My Diasporic Diary, a reflective journal for global diasporas. A 2025 Bush Fellow and 2023 TEDx speaker and Finnovation Fellow, she weaves advocacy into her art, using language and storytelling to foster understanding and empowerment. Anisa serves on the boards of Maangaar Voices, Lyricality, and The Waterers, amplifying narratives that celebrate culture and community. Her work has been featured in outlets like BBC Somali and PBS NewsHour, inspiring positive change through her poetry and creativity.