Mukhtar M. Ibrahim is the founder and executive editor of Sahan Journal, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to chronicling the struggles, successes and transformations of immigrant communities, whose stories are often overlooked by mainstream news organizations. Born in Somalia, Mukhtar spent his childhood in Ethiopia and Kenya and has lived most of his adult life in Minnesota. 

The conversation focused on journalism in today’s political landscape, how immigrants are shaping our region and country today, and the issues impacting immigrants settling in America.

Mukhtar received his undergraduate degree from the University of Minnesota and a graduate degree in investigative and data journalism from Columbia University. He previously worked as a staff writer for the Star Tribune, where he covered Minneapolis city government and local affairs; and Minnesota Public Radio News, where he wrote about national security matters and immigration. He’s now working with Minnesota Public Radio to build Sahan Journal.

Mukhtar was a 2016 recipient of the prestigious leadership fellowship from The Bush Foundation; a 2017 recipient of the Lynton Fellowship, which is given to two outstanding students in Professor Samuel G. Freedman’s Book Writing seminar at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism; and a 2018 recipient of Above the Fold Award, which honors alumni of the University of Minnesota Hubbard School of Journalism and Mass Communication under the age of 40 who have made exceptional contributions to their fields.

In 2018, the Society of Professional Journalists named Mukhtar’s Twitter account the best social media account in Minnesota.