About Hussein

I wish to thank all of those who helped in my successful election to the Minneapolis Public Schools Board. I believe my experiences as a parent, banker, community organizer, education advocate, and an appointed member of the Minneapolis Library Board gives me a broad and unique perspective on the tremendous potential, as well as the challenges that our community faces.

I am a father of four beautiful children, and the proud parent of a Minneapolis Public Schools student. In 2006, I was appointed by Mayor Rybak to the Minneapolis Public Library Board, where I served as the finance chair for two years. Shortly after, I was asked to co-chair the successful 2008 Minneapolis Public Schools referendum and worked tirelessly to help Minneapolis citizens approve $60 million to support our schools.

Through my career, I have come to understand that wealth is built at the grassroots level, and this notion continues to fuel my work. I currently serve on the board of the official West Bank neighborhood organization – West Bank Community Coalition (WBCC), and I also volunteer in the Phillips neighborhood, where I have lived for the last 11 years. I work in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood.

I have extensive experience in banking, as well as a deep regard for community development. I worked as a commercial banker with Wells Fargo and Norwest Banks leaving to carry out two years of community organizing that eventually give birth to the African Development Center of Minnesota (ADC), an entrepreneurial nonprofit organization that works with the African communities in Minnesota to start and sustain businesses, build wealth, and promote community reinvestment.

I am the founder and executive director of ADC. We have created several culturally targeted alternative finance products, and I am frequently asked to address financial, governmental, and other community institutions on the topic of building wealth in emerging markets. I have been asked numerous times to visit to Sweden and other Scandinavian countries to take part in discussions on how newer communities are integrating into their societies. I also regularly participate in broader conversations that address existing and emerging economic development issues that impact the new American communities throughout the United States. I am grateful that the work of ADC is felt far and wide.

I beleive that my experience managing a non-profit organization, and my commitment to our district has prepared me well for my time on the the school board. The district is at a crossroads: We are facing a budget deficit shortfall and we are continuously grappling with an opportunity gap. I feel that I have the unique skill-sets to add knowledge and perspective to assist English Language Learners (ELL) and others who are particularly impacted by the disparities in education. I am committed to promoting and participating in consensus building among communities, and I am keenly aware of the need to collaborate and connect with others. I strive to bring new and fresh perspectives at every meeting on how we can close the opportunity gap among our students and communicate effectively with our new communities.