About

Anisa Hagi-Mohamed  is a Somali-American educator, artist, community leader, and small business owner based in Bloomington, Minnesota. Born in Somalia, she immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of five, escaping a civil war that erupted in 1990. 

She holds a bachelor's degree in Applied Linguistics from San Diego State University and a master's degree in the same subject from Saint Cloud State University. Anisa's passion for education and community empowerment led her to create a range of bilingual Somali-English educational products, including her "My Diasporic Diary," a reflective journal for diaspora communities worldwide, and "Kalsooni," the pioneering deck of bilingual Somali and English affirmation cards. 

A teacher turned business owner, Anisa has spent the past few years gaining knowledge and practical skills to thrive as an entrepreneur. She completed the Initiative Foundation's 12-week Enterprise Academy and won the Best Product of the Year in 2023 at their vendor showcase for her Kalsooni cards. Additionally, she graduated from the 9-month Finnovation Fellowship, where she received invaluable mentorship and attended classes from experts in the field, further enhancing her business and leadership skills.

An advocate for positive language and cultural representation, Anisa's work aims to celebrate and preserve Somali culture, language, and history. Her vibrant creations serve to empower and heal communities while providing authentic representation across various media platforms. Her contributions have been featured in publications such as the Saint Cloud Times, Tusmo Times, Sahan Journal, Star Tribune, and MPR.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Anisa enjoys immersing herself in research, reading, writing, and creating visual stories that explore themes of mental health, culture, language, identity, and the concept of home. Through her multifaceted pursuits, Anisa continues to inspire positive change and foster understanding within all communities.