Suugaan Initiative: Empowering Somali Youth Through Creative Arts and Music

Central MN Community Empowerment Organization will revitalize the use of cultural and artistic expressions for the Somali youth of Minnesota to preserve and display their cultural heritage. CMCEO plans to promote patriotism and citizenship through cultural heritage where artists are trained to compose Somali creative arts and music. This will enable youth to learn their cultural heritage and creativity in an engaging environment. The project focuses on 1) training 100 young artists to compose and create Somali cultural and creative music and arts; 2) developing the skills of 20 female artists in the composition of Buranbur, a traditional Somali poetry form; 3) providing a platform for youth to express their cultural identity and engage in social dialogue; 4) preserving and honoring the rich cultural heritage of the Somali community in Minnesota.